About the Researchers
We are a consortium of researchers, martial artists and industry leaders who aim to use scientific research methods to support safer, more inclusive recreational sport for people across a lifetime. Our expertise ranges from health science to sociology, from physiotherapy to athletic wear.
This initiative first started with a conversation between Open University lecturer (and Taekwondo instructor) Wendi Bacon and physiotherapy clinical lead Rowan Wilson. They realised the warm-up practices in martial arts training often did not align with modern physiotherapy knowledge. If they could apply modern knowledge in this traditional field, could they improve martial arts? Thus, Better Martial Arts was born. Since its inception in 2021, the consortium has received numerous grants from the Open University, the Higher Education Innovation Fund, and the Private Physiotherapy Education Foundation.
- Wendi Bacon, The Open University | Health scientist & martial arts coach-athlete
- Rowan Wilson, PhysioFit Cambridge | Physiotherapist
- Nichola Kentzer, The Open University | Coaching education & sports psychologist
- Caroline Heaney, The Open University | Psychology of injury
- Rosie Lindsay, Anglia Ruskin | Physical activity epidemiology
- James Brighton, Canterbury Christ Church University | Inclusivity in sport
- Jill Shaw, The Open University | Human-data interaction & data ethics, rugby coach-athlete
- Tamsin Davis, Taekwondo4all | Martial arts instruction & uniform development
- Vicky Taylor, The Open University | Female metabolism researcher & martial artist
- Kath Woodward, The Open University | Boxing & gender sociologist
- Joe de-Lappe, The Open University | Gender studies
- Jo Horne, The Open University | Psychologist & martial arts coach-athlete
- Jennifer Hayward, The University of Cambridge | Communications & martial arts coach-athlete
- Matt Hughes, Milton Keynes University Hospital | Physiotherapist
- Blaine Price, The Open University | Digital Health
- Riasat Islam, The Open University | Wearable rehabilitation technology
- Jess Pinchbeck, The Open University | Female Participation & Sport Sociologist
- Colette Christiansen, The Open University | Mathematical Biologist & Statistician
