DrTina Smith

I am a Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics at the University of Wolverhampton, having formally held academic positions at the University of Hull and University of Roehampton. I hold a PhD in sports biomechanics from Southern Cross University (Australia) and a BSc (Hons) in Sport Science from the University of Brighton.

My main research interests revolve around health and exercise. Specifically, the biomechanics of functional movement and activities of daily living in differing populations, with a main focus on Parkinson’s disease. This work includes exploring how biomechanically derived feedback and exercise interventions can be used to improve musculoskeletal health and functional performance at everyday tasks.

I have led two UKRI ESRC Healthy Ageing funded projects to co-design a novel symptom monitoring technology for Parkinson’s disease. That work is ongoing and continues to receive additional support as part of the UKRI funded STTOAEMM and DigiSpin WM projects.

I have worked on other externally funded studies, such as the Horizon 2020 project MinD-Designing for people with dementia, and been a recipient of the University of Wolverhampton, Early Researcher Award Scheme Fellowship. The latter investigated the mechanics of bone health and functional performance in sedentary and non-sedentary populations, advancing methods to assess mechanical loading during physical activity. I have also been a member of an expert working party for Macmilian Cancer Support, writing physical activity guidelines for healthcare professionals working with people with metastatic bone disease.

Within sport my main research interests include the biomechanics of sports performance. Especially football, and the application of biomechanics to the coaching / training environment.

Additionally, I am committed to supporting the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion and the development of others. I was co-investigator on a British Council funded UK-Malaysia Institutional Partnership Grant: Women in Sports Leadership. I have led a project funded by the Higher Education Academy UK Centre for Biosciences to enhance online teaching methods used within the physical sciences in Higher Education. I am an activity member of the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC) at the University of Wolverhampton. As well as contributing to the research profile of SPARC, I am the Post Graduate Research Student Tutor and a member of the Department’s AthenaSWAN committee and EDI steering group.

I have published in peer reviewed academic journals and presented work at international conferences. I also review for external grant funding bodies and a range of international academic journals.