The Research Institute for Sport & Exercise Sciences (RISES)
Mission statement: RISES will deliver cutting edge research and high quality research training, delivered by world class staff in state-of-the-art facilities
The Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES) was established in 1997 and continues to be the cutting-edge and vibrant home of research activity within the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The success of RISES staff since its inception in 1997 is obvious and a high profile international reputation has been gained for its Research Training and Research Outputs. Across broad but multi-disciplinary research areas the RAE in 2001 rated the Institute as 5**. In the most recent RAE 2008 RISES submitted 22 staff and maintained its position as a leading research centre in the UK with recognition of its world leading and world-class activities.
RAE 2008 Highlights – Within Unit of Assessment: SPORTS RELATED STUDIES
We are joint 1st nationally for world leading (4*) research (25%) 85% of our research is of an international standard
Also of interest was the RAE panels rating of research environment as 50% 4* or world leading stating that RISES provides an exceptional focus for research training and staff development. This performance recognition comes on the back of significant and recognised research activity. Since 2001 RISES staff have published over 400 peer-reviewed scientific papers (listed on the Web of Science), attracted over £3 million of external grants and seen 60 PhD and MPhil students graduate.
The focus of RISES is to provide structures, support, critical mass and a focus for all of the research work being undertaken and to provide a clear link to teaching and enterprise. In this way world leading research clearly informs and infuses the curriculum and underpins applied work. A recent re-organisation and re-activation of the RISES Structures and organisation is clearly outlined in the RISES Structure link that will detail our research groups as well as academic staff, post-doctoral researchers, research assistants and postgraduate students. Details of current visiting academics and students are also highlighted alongside honorary Professorial positions. The RISES Advisory Board oversees the operation of RISES providing lines of communication to the research groups and themes as well as to the School Management Group and other Faculty (FRDC) and University (Research Support Office) bodies. The Research Groups provide a focused and critical mass of academic activity in a cognate area and range from Biomechanics through to Psychology and Performance. The Research Groups and the RISES Advisory Board provide the focus for strategic discussion, policy implementation, staff development of individuals and a focus for evaluation. RISES provides a focus for research activities in the subject area, ranging from studies at cellular level to whole-body responses to exercise and from elite athletes to novices at physical activity. Members of RISES include all staff and research students from within the School, honorary members from external institutions who are collaborators, visiting Honorary Professors and visiting Research Associates. The research projects are funded by grants from charities, industrial sponsors, international agencies, governments and sports bodies. A thriving post-graduate research community provides a cosmopolitan culture and an environment in which international students may flourish.
The near future will see RISES activities continue to grow and develop. The exciting move to the new, state-of-the-art Tom Reilly Building will see research space and facilities doubled.
