Physiotherapy research

Research is an integral part of contemporary physiotherapy practice. At the University of Hertfordshire we have a commitment to research activity by contributing to the evidence base which underpins physiotherapy practice and education and providing our students with an environment that encourages them to engage with research and how it is translated into practice.

Our research falls into four broad themes:

• Maintaining well-being in health and disease
• Application of skills in practice
• Impact of education on clinical practice and workforce development
• Professional roles and development

Undergraduate physiotherapy research

Students on the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy are introduced to research during their first year and undertake a module in research methods in year two.

This learning is then applied in the final year when students work in collaborative groups and undertake both a qualitative and quantitative group projects.

Postgraduate physiotherapy research

We currently support a number of students undertaking research at both MSc and PhD level. In the main these are undertaken by students who are practising clinicians and thus conduct their research on a part-time basis. Full-time students are also welcome.

Where possible, those interested in undertaking research at the University of Hertfordshire are encouraged to consider how their area of interest relates to the themes identified above and the specific research interests and expertise of our research active staff.

Many of the completed studies, as well as those that are ongoing are collaborative ventures, either with sites of clinical practice, other HEIs and/or other schools within the University of Hertfordshire. These collaborations allow us to both share our expertise, as well as benefit from that of others, as well as help us maintain currency within the practice domain.

Physiotherapy staff research

For additional information about physiotherapy staff research, please view web pages of staff who are actively engaged in research activity:

• Professor Karen Beeton
• Professor Jeremy Lewis
• Paul Browning
• Dr Mindy Cairns
• Sally Davenport
• Dr Jane Simmonds
• Dr Heather Thornton
• Professor Tim Watson

If you are interested in learning more about the research that we are involved with and/or have any queries related to undertaking research within physiotherapy at the University of Hertfordshire, please contact Dr Jane Simmonds, Physiotherapy Research Lead.