The University of Otago is New Zealand's top-ranked university for research in the Government's formal tertiary institution performance assessment. Likewise, the School is the #1 research Sport and Exercise Faculty in the country and internationally renowned for the quality of its staff and postgraduate programme.
We frequently collaborate with experts in other countries and a large proportion of our research can be brought to bear on issues in New Zealand and other parts of the world.
Through our research centres, labs and clinics we foster creative interaction between academy and community, and stimulate engagement with students and visiting scholars.
Staff research interests
Biophysical Sciences
- Neil Anderson (Motor development, postural control and sport science pedagogy)
- Melanie Bussey (Clinical biomechanics)
- Christopher Button (Motor learning and performance analysis)
- James Cotter (Exercise and environmental physiology)
- Peter Lamb (Biomechanics)
- Nancy Rehrer (Exercise physiology and metabolism)
- Brendon Roxburgh (Clinical exercise physiology and environmental physiology)
- Tina van Duijn (Brain activity and motor learning, skill learning in First Aid education, performance under pressure)
Social Sciences
- Tania Cassidy (Coaching and pedagogy)
- Mark Falcous (Sociology of sport)
- Elaine A Hargreaves (Nee Rose) (Exercise psychology)
- Kenneth P Hodge (Sport psychology & mental skills training)
- Steven J Jackson (Sport sociology and media)
- Marguerita I Lázár (Sociology, feminism and philosophy)
- Sebastian Potgieter (Sports History)
- Michael Sam (Sport policy and governance)
- Emily Scott (Physical and Health Education)
- Sally Shaw (Sport management, gender, governance)
- Lara Vlietstra (Healthy ageing, prevention of age-related diseases, physical activity and sarcopenia, frailty in older adults)
