Philip Rowe

Philip Rowe serves as Visiting Professor and Research Director in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, where the department ranked 1st in Scotland and 4th in the UK in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework with 90% world-class research. His leadership in the HealthQWest research consortium includes heading the Function for Living Research Programme, which achieved top AHP ratings in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.

His academic foundation comprises a BSc Hons in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Birmingham (1982) and a PhD in Bioengineering from the University of Strathclyde (1990). Prior to rejoining Strathclyde in 2005, he developed research programs at Queen Margaret University's School of Health Sciences.

Professor Rowe pioneers rehabilitation robotics and clinical movement analysis, with research spanning biomechanics of human motion, orthopaedic interventions, and stroke rehabilitation. His work uniquely integrates the WHO ICF model to address physical, psychological, nutritional, and social dimensions of patient recovery. Current investigations focus on robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty and objective activity measurement in post-surgical rehabilitation.

Recent publications demonstrate his leadership in orthopaedic robotics, particularly through randomized controlled trials comparing robotic bi-unicompartmental versus total knee arthroplasty. These studies establish new paradigms for measuring surgical outcomes using objective physical activity metrics rather than traditional clinical assessments.

His scientific recognition includes:

• European Society of Biomechanics Clinical Biomechanics Award (1987)
• Strathclyde Team Medal for Innovation in Autism (2018)
• EFORT Free Paper Gold Award in Orthopaedics (2019)

Professor Rowe has supervised 14 postgraduate researchers while securing 43 major projects totaling over £15M in funding. Current initiatives include the Stryker-funded "Truck 2 year follow-up" study (2019-2025) and the stroke rehabilitation cycling program "ACCESS". His grant portfolio emphasizes translational research bridging engineering innovation with clinical rehabilitation practice.

He directs the department's advanced research infrastructure including the Mako RIO Robotic Arm Interactive System and ATMI Gen 5 Force Plate laboratory, which support his Function for Living Research Programme's mission to develop evidence-based rehabilitation technologies for orthopaedic and neurological conditions.