News

This section will keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport.

Melanie Woods in the Human-Flow Interactions Wind Tunnel

Collaboration uses Loughborough’s vehicle aerodynamic knowledge to enhance Para sport performance

A collaborative project, led by academics at Loughborough University, is using expertise from the field of vehicle aerodynamics and wheelchair design to better support wheelchair racers taking part in the next Paralympics and beyond.
Jorge Candiotti at Loughborough

The Peter Harrison Laboratory continues its relationship with the University of Pittsburgh by welcoming Dr Jorge Candiotti for a visit

On 13th March, we welcomed Associate Professor Jorge Candiotti from the University of Pittsburgh to our laboratory, strengthening our ongoing collaboration in assistive technology. During his visit, he helped calibrate new SmartWheels, which will support research in wheelchair racing and potentially expand to other wheelchair sports.
A group of 5 people, including three wheel-chair users in front of WWR banners

Professor Vicky Tolfrey attends a World Wheelchair Rugby event championing gender equity with a landmark declaration and game-changing playbook

On 4th March, World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration, reinforcing its commitment to gender equity. Alongside this, WWR launched the Wheelchair Rugby Gender Equity Playbook to boost female participation and leadership.
Richard Whitehead at testing lab at Loughborough University - running on the treadmill

Richard Whitehead MBE visits Peter Harrison Laboratory during his 20-marathon challenge for 2025

Paralympian Richard Whitehead, PLY MBE, visited Loughborough University for testing as he prepares to run 20 marathons in 2025, aiming for 100 total. His visit gave students hands-on sports science experience ahead of his next race on March 8th.
the visitors standing in Bolton area foyer

Peter Harrison Centre members attend Bolton Indoor ITF2 Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and strengthen LTA partnership with a PhD studentship

Dr Anna Fitzpatrick and Dr Thomas Rietveld visited Bolton to attend the Indoor ITF2 Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and continued conversations on future collaborations between The Peter Harrison Laboratory and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
members of activity alliance being shown the equipment in the PHC lab by PHC members

Strengthening Partnerships for Inclusive Physical Activity

Activity Alliance deliver a seminar and collaborate with a PhD studentship.

Iain Gowans attends ParalympicsGB Strategy Meeting

In January, Peter Harrison Centre Doctoral Researcher Iain Gowans attended a strategy session of ParalympicsGB’s International Relations Committee, held at their headquarters in London. The purpose of the session was to review and develop the ParalympicsGB’s International Relations strategy. The Committee collectively supports ParalympicsGB by making effective use of partnerships and giving contextual intelligence and advice on current and future international developments and trends.
phd student Adam with his assessors and supervisors following his PhD viva

Adam Dickinson completes his PhD

On the 7th February, Doctoral researcher Adam Dickinson successfully defended his PhD thesis, becoming the newest Dr in our centre!

doctoral researcher tom miller

Thomas Miller joins the centre as a Doctoral Researcher

Loughborough graduate, Thomas Miller has re-joined the university to undertake a PhD to understand mental health and service provision to rugby players experiencing catastrophic injury.
Collage of 3 researchers (2 female, 1 male) presenting their work at a conference

Peter Harrison Centre members at BASES and MASCIP

Last week, several of the Peter Harrison Centre team attended two conferences: MASCIP (Multidisciplinary Association for Spinal Cord Injury Professionals) and BASES (British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences).

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