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Dr. Alexandra Witte is a Lecturer in Sustainable and Natural Area Tourism at Edinburgh Napier University's Business School, where she serves as the MSc Programme Leader for the dual Hospitality and Tourism Management programme in partnership with HTMi (Switzerland). She joined Napier in 2022, having previously held academic positions as Assistant Professor and Lecturer at the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong, Macau City University, and Arizona State University's HAITC campus in China. She earned her PhD from Leeds Beckett University, where she conducted groundbreaking ethnographic research on walking tourism along China's Ancient Tea Horse Road as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Her research explores three primary domains: Tourism Mobilities : Walking tourism practices, heritage route development, and embodied spatial experiences Gender in Tourism : Gendered experiences, inequalities, and resistance strategies in tourism contexts Sustainable Tourism Policy : Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in tourism governance Her scholarly publications demonstrate strong thematic coherence around mobility and power dynamics, with 71% of recent works (2021-2025) focusing on tourism mobilities and 57% examining gender dimensions. Methodologically, she employs diverse qualitative approaches including ethnography, netnography, and discourse analysis across cultural contexts from China to Scotland. Dr. Witte supervises PhD candidate Sebastian Lattekamp's research on 'Monitoring and evaluation indicators for just transition to net zero in tourism and events' and leads the Tourism Research Centre at Edinburgh Napier. She has been invited as a guest speaker to institutions including the University of Hong Kong, University of Groningen, and St. Joseph University of Macau, where she held a Visiting Scholar position. She co-organized the 2024 'Mobile Methods across Disciplines' symposium.

• Tourism Mobilities
• Sustainable Tourism
• Gender Studies
• +4 more

Josh Carter is a Researcher at the Centre for Health and Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (CHI2PS) at the University of Bath, specializing in biomechanics and wearable sensor technology. He recently completed his PhD in June 2025 with research focused on musculoskeletal load estimation and injury prevention in running. His educational background includes: PhD in Biomechanics, University of Bath, 2025 Carter's research integrates deep learning with wearable sensors to advance gait analysis and injury prevention. He pioneers methods for estimating biomechanical parameters like joint angles and ground reaction forces using consumer-grade devices, with applications spanning sports performance optimization and clinical rehabilitation. His work emphasizes translating laboratory techniques to real-world settings through innovations like ear-worn sensors (Earables) and transfer learning frameworks. His 2025 publications reveal a cohesive research trajectory: leveraging deep learning to bridge the gap between high-precision biomechanical measurement and accessible wearable technology. Key themes include adapting treadmill-based running analysis for overground use, estimating cycling joint angles via LSTM networks, and developing clinically viable monitoring systems for Parkinson's disease patients. His scientific recognition includes: ISBS New Investigator Award (2024) BIG 2024 Poster presentation 2nd place (2024) ISBS New Investigator Award finalist (2021) Carter secured research funding as a core team member on the 2023 project 'A sense-act digital technology for home-based diabetic foot ulcer care,' demonstrating grant acquisition capability. While not yet supervising formal PhD students, he maintains extensive collaborations across biomechanics and health technology domains, co-authoring with international researchers on gait analysis and sensor development. He actively contributes to the Centre for Health and Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (CHI2PS), working within interdisciplinary teams that combine engineering, clinical expertise, and data science to develop injury prevention solutions for athletic and clinical populations.

• Biomechanics
• Wearable Sensors
• Gait Analysis
• +4 more

Dr Juliet Jain is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Environment and Technology, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). Affiliated with the Centre for Transport and Society, she explores mobility practices through social science lenses, focusing on intersections of travel, digital technologies, and everyday life. Collaborations span Newcastle University, Royal College of Art, and Chiltern Railways. PhD in Science Studies, Lancaster University MSc in Society and Space, University of Bristol BSc (Hons) in Geography, University of London Her research examines mobility organization via social practices, digital technologies, and work-life balance. Expertise includes: ICTs and travel behavior Family mobilities Performativity in mobility Actor-network theory (STS) Urban pedestrian experiences Transport connectivity futures She leads projects like MODLE (Innovate UK) and 'Travel Time in the Information Age' (EPSRC), focusing on WiFi on trains (RSSB) and family rituals in mobility (EPSRC). Teaching includes MSc Transport Engineering and MRes Social Research (Health & Wellbeing, Sustainable Futures). Collaborative teams include: Centre for Transport and Society Transport Focus Steer Davies Gleave Esoterix

• Mobility Studies
• Science and Technology Studies
• Time-Space Mobilities
• +5 more

Dr. Josh Walker is a Senior Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Biomechanics at Leeds Beckett University's Carnegie School of Sport. He holds a BSc in Sport & Exercise Science (2016), MSc in Sport & Exercise Biomechanics (2017), and PhD (2022) from Leeds Beckett. His research examines muscle-tendon mechanics, injury rehabilitation, and biomechanical measurement reliability, with notable work on Controlled Ankle Motion (CAM) boots. He leads the MSc Biomechanics of Human Movement, MSc Sport and Exercise Science, and PG Cert Musculoskeletal Biomechanics programs. Dr. Walker's research employs ultrasonography, motion capture, and dynamometry to study neuromuscular adaptations. Key interests include: Optimizing CAM boots for Achilles tendon/diabetic foot rehabilitation Validation of markerless motion capture systems Muscle-tendon function in locomotion and aging His recent publications (2022-2025) focus on sports biomechanics, gait analysis, and athletic performance, with recurring themes of rehabilitation efficacy, measurement validation, and elite athlete kinematics. No awards are documented. He advises postgraduate research on Achilles tendon rupture and neuromuscular adaptations. Through the Health and Performance Hub, he provides biomechanical services to sports clubs, emphasizing isokinetic strength assessment during rehabilitation. Dr. Walker leads research at the Centre for Active Lifestyles and Healthy Ageing (ACTLIFE), investigating movement biomechanics for injury prevention and healthy aging.

• Musculoskeletal Biomechanics
• Muscle-Tendon Mechanics
• Neuromuscular Rehabilitation
• +3 more

Andrew Middleton is Professor of Active Learning and Deputy Head of Anglia Learning & Teaching at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), renowned as a National Teaching Fellow for advancing academic innovation in student-centered learning. He spearheads ARU's Active Curriculum development and leads cross-institutional collaborations on strategic educational initiatives including Active Learning, Design for Life, Simulation-based Learning, and Digital Fluency. His educational credentials feature a PhD completed between 2017-2022 on The situated agency of studio learning and its value for non-studio disciplines . This foundational work informs his research trajectory exploring the interplay between physical and digital environments in education. Middleton's scholarly focus centers on transforming higher education through active learning frameworks, spatial fluency concepts, and digital pedagogy. He pioneers approaches like Studio for All for cooperative learning and Design for Life for graduate capital development, emphasizing authentic challenges, intrinsic feedback, and multimodal learning spaces. His work bridges theoretical innovation with practical toolkits for curriculum enhancement across disciplines. Analysis of his 2013-2021 publications reveals an evolving emphasis from foundational mobile learning and audio feedback research toward integrated spatial-digital frameworks and employability-focused curriculum design. His recent work demonstrates increasing sophistication in connecting physical learning environments with digital fluency, while maintaining consistent focus on student agency and inclusive pedagogical practices across all output. His distinguished recognition includes the prestigious National Teaching Fellowship. National Teaching Fellowship As Deputy Head of Anglia Learning & Teaching, Middleton actively supervises research while leading institution-wide projects including OfS-funded simulation facilities across three campuses. His grant-funded initiatives span curriculum transformation, digital fluency implementation, and employability integration, often developed through collaborative networks involving faculty, Student Life Services, and external partners. He champions staff-student co-creation in educational development. He directs ARU's Active Learning Network, co-hosts the Exquisite Corpse podcast exploring innovative teaching, and chairs the UK Media-Enhanced Learning Special Interest Group (MELSIG) – organizing over 30 national events. These platforms foster communities of practice for pedagogical innovation, connecting educators across institutional boundaries to advance media-enhanced and spatially-aware teaching methodologies.

• Active Learning
• Educational Technology
• Curriculum Design
• +5 more

Professor Gary Higgs is a distinguished academic at the University of South Wales, where he serves as Co-Director of the Wales Institute of Socio-Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) and holds a professorship within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science. With over three decades of academic experience, Professor Higgs leads significant research initiatives focused on spatial analysis and geographic information systems applications in social and health contexts. Co-Director of WISERD since its inception in 2009 Director of the GIS Research Centre at the University of South Wales Lead Principal Investigator for the 'People, Places, and the Public Sphere' research program (2024-2027) Recipient of the USW Impact Award 2019 for research improving mobile cancer services His educational background includes a BSc, PhD, and DSc, establishing a strong foundation for his research career. Professor Higgs is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and has contributed extensively to the academic community through journal reviews, research proposal evaluations, and editorial board service. Professor Higgs' research primarily centers on the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to address critical societal challenges. His work spans accessibility modeling, medical geography, emergency planning, and public participation GIS. He has pioneered methodologies for measuring spatial inequalities in service provision across health, education, and social care sectors, with particular emphasis on multi-modal transport approaches. His research has significantly contributed to understanding how geographical factors influence access to essential services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on developing innovative spatial analytical techniques to address pressing social issues. Professor Higgs' work shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated accessibility modeling that incorporates real-time data, multiple transport modes, and temporal variations. His research has practical applications for policymakers seeking to reduce inequalities in service provision and improve planning for vulnerable populations. USW Impact Award 2019 for research improving mobile cancer services in collaboration with Tenovus Cancer Care Extensive contributions to academic journals as reviewer for over 60 publications Editorial board member for prominent journals including Computers, Environment and Urban Systems Referee for major research councils including ESRC, AHRC, NERC, and EPSRC Professor Higgs actively supervises postgraduate research and teaches on MSc Computing programs, particularly the GIS Principles and Practice module. His leadership extends to the WISERD Data Lab, which supports community-led data collection and citizen engagement in co-production projects. He has been instrumental in developing the WISERD Geoportal, a tool for discovering, analyzing, and visualizing socio-economic data for Wales.

• GIS-based accessibility modeling
• Medical geography
• Public Participation GIS (PPGIS)
• +7 more