Musculoskeletal research group
Our research is part of Keele’s world-leading research into musculoskeletal (MSK) health and is a key theme within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Our aim is to improve the assessment and management of MSK conditions, particularly in relation to patient care delivered by Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). Despite the high prevalence of MSK conditions and their substantial impact on individuals and society, AHP-related research has not received the research attention it deserves. We are therefore passionate about partnering with patients, NHS services, industry, third-sector organisations, as well as other researchers to test new treatments, evaluate digital health solutions, develop innovative methods to support care, and use real-world data to inform quality improvements in AHP services and reduce the impact these conditions have on the lives of patients.
The research team
Dr Opeyemi Babatunde
Senior Lecturer Evidence Synthesis and Applied Health Research
- DJW0.109
- +44 (0) 1782 7 33927
- o.babatunde@keele.ac.uk
Dr Anirban Banerjee
Lecturer
- +44 (0) 1782 734254
- a.banerjee@keele.ac.uk
Hollie Birkinshaw
Senior Research Associate
Dr Roanna Burgess
Senior Research Fellow (Clinical Academic)
Dr Dale Cooper
Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- MacKay Building 1.29
- +44 (0) 1782 734563
- d.cooper1@keele.ac.uk
Professor Jonathan Hill
Director for Research for the School of Allied Health Professionals
- MacKay Building 1.27 / DJW 1.109
- j.hill@keele.ac.uk
Sarah Harrisson
Lecturer in Applied Health Research
- DJW1.103
- +44 1782 7 34928
- s.a.harrisson@keele.ac.uk
Dr Mel Holden
NIHR SPCR Research Fellow: Applied Osteoarthritis
- DJW 1.57
- +44 (0) 1782 734720
- m.holden@keele.ac.uk
Dr Emma Healey
Senior Research Fellow: Applied Health Research
- DW 0.116
- +44 (0) 1782 734843
- e.healey@keele.ac.uk
Dr Anne O'Brien
Head of School
Senior Lecturer
- MacKay Building 1.25
- +44 (0) 1782 734195
- a.v.o'brien@keele.ac.uk
Dr Claire Stapleton
Senior Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- MacKay Building 1.27
- +44 (0) 1782 733808
- c.stapleton@keele.ac.uk
Dr Siobhán Stynes
HEE/NIHR ICA Clinical Lecturer in Physiotherapy
- DJW 0.110
- +44 (0) 1782 733925
- s.stynes@keele.ac.uk
Dr Martin Thomas
Senior Research Fellow in Clinical Epidemiology and Honorary Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
- DJW 0.110
- +44 (0)1782 734874
- m.thomas@keele.ac.uk
Dr Sara Winter
Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- MacKay Building 1.05
- s.c.w.winter@keele.ac.uk
Current research projects
- Building capacity in achieving clinical transformation from Allied Health Professional digital evaluations (funded by the British Council May 2022 – Apr 2023). Led by Professor Jonathan Hill.
Current PhD projects
- Enza Leone. Best practice upper limb rehabilitation for patients with Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Supervised by Dr Alison Rogers, Prof Jonathan Hill, and Dr Fraser Philp, with support from Prof Anand Pandyan and Dr Richa Kulshrestha as external advisors.
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Alex Braybrooke. Developing a dashboard for MSK care as part of the National MSK Audit and Research Database. Supervised by Dr Anirban Banerjee, Dr Roanna Burgess and Prof Jonathan Hill.
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Marcus Bateman. Optimising Physiotherapy Treatment for People with Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: Development and Pilot/Feasibility Testing of an Evidence-based Treatment Approach. Supervised by Prof Jonathan Hill, Ben Saunders and Prof Chris Littlewood.