Overview:

Ben is a Senior Lecturer and the Course Leader for the MRes Sport & Exercise Science degree. Ben joined Hatpury University in March 2013 having previoulsy worked full-time in industry and has since designed and developed the curriculum for both the BSc and MSc Strength and Conditioning degrees. Throughout this time he has continued to work with a number of professional clubs and organisations in the UK in coaching, research and consultancy roles.

Ben's main research focus is within the area of long-term athletic development in which he completed his PhD investigating lower-body eccentric resistance training practices in elite youth male athletes. He has ~30 peer reviewed publications and is currently involved in a number of ongoing projects within the areas of youth athletes, growth, maturation, injury prevention and performance, as well as supervising a number of postgraduate research students at both MRes and PhD levels. Additionally, he sits on the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning. 

Ben is an Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Level 2 British Weightlifting (BWL) Coach as well as a BWL Tutor. Additionally, he is a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (FHEA). 

Ben currently sits on the CIMSPA Professional Develoment Committee for Performance Sport working on projects to raise the professional standards across the industry for NGB's, professional bodies and higher education institutions. His work with CIMSPA involved the development of the Graduate Strength and Conditioning Coach professional standards for university degrees in the UK. Ben also currently acts at the External Examiner at St Mary's University for their BSc Strength and Conditioning Science degree.

Taught Modules:

• Skill Acquisition in Strength and Conditioning (MSc)
• Physical Profiling and Testing for Athletes (MSc)
• Applying Sport and Exercise Research (MRes)
• Youth Physical Development (BSc)

Current Research Areas: 

• Resistance Training for Youth Athletes.
• Eccentric Resistance Training Modalities.
• Skill Acquisition Strategies for Athletic Performance.
• Female Athlete Injury Prevention Programmes.

• Rory Kavanagh (PhD - Ongoing): Effects of Neck Strength on Concussion Risk Factors in Female Rugby Union Athletes.
• Thibaut Bounias (MRes - Completed 2024): Effects of Nordic Hamstring Training on Eccentric Hamstring Strength in Youth Female Athletes.
• Liam Moore (MRes - Completed 2024): In-Situ Assessment and Monitoring of Deceleration in Soccer Players.
• Hannah Larkin (MRes - Completed 2024): Countermovement Jump Force-Time Analysis in Females at Risk of REDs.
• Rob Anderson (MRes - Completed 2023): Seasonal Changes in Physical Qualities Across Rugby Union Playing Standards.
• Gerard McGinty (MRes - Completed 2023): Optimal Match Format to Develop the Technical and Physical Attributes of Young Soccer Players.