About SPARC

Fiona is a Lecturer in Sports Therapy, with module lead responsibilities in Exercise Science and Exercise Instruction for the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy programme at University College Birmingham. Fiona received her PhD from the Department of Sport and Exercise Science at Aberystwyth University in 2014. Her research interests currently focus on the influence of fluctuating hormonal profiles throughout the menstrual cycle on performance and injury risk in female athletes. She is passionate about the translation of evidence into practice.

Leila is a member of the Events Management teaching team at University College Birmingham. Leila is currently a Final Year Manager of the BA (Hons) Events Management programme where she leads on a number of modules relating to event strategy and project management. Leila has nearly 20 years of industry experience in the fields of Hospitality, Tourism and Events and has worked for a variety of public and private sector organisations in the UK. Prior to working at University College Birmingham, she was an events co-ordinator at Severn Trent Services International; as well as the Walt Disney Company.

Andrew is a lecturer in Nutrition with a specialism in sports performance. He teaches across a range of degrees related to health and sport including the Food & Nutrition BSc (Hons).  Andrew received his PhD in 2015 from the University of Aberdeen where he specialised in the effect of dietary fibre on the colonic microbiota. His research primarily focuses on dietary supplements and performance, and dietary habits of bodybuilding populations. Andrew is also works with athletes as a performance nutritionist specialising in strength, power and physique athletes.

Richard is the Deputy Head of the Department for Hospitality and Tourism. He is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and teaches across a range of degrees related to Tourism, Aviation and Travel. He is a committee member for the Institute of Travel and Tourism Education and Training Committee. His interests include disruptive innovation in tourism, managing human factors in aviation, development of health and wellness tourism, regulation of social media and the impact of terrorism on tourism flow patterns.