BCU welcomes BASES for enlightening research event

Birmingham City University’s School of Health Sciences welcomed the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) for an exciting event where leading researchers shared their work and experiences.

Esteemed company

BASES, the largest organisation for sport and exercise science in the UK, came to the University on Wednesday 16 January. The event saw a host of guest speakers from fellow universities, including the University of Gloucester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Derby. Also speaking was best-selling writer and acclaimed dietician Renee McGregor, who highlighted the importance of BASES events. “Science is constantly evolving and there are a lot of us working within sport and science,” she said. “It’s great to mix academic with practical, and good to see what we’re learning and observing in the lab, and how we put that theory into practice.”

Bringing BCU to the fore

Also speaking were two BCU academics, Adam Herbert and Luciana Torquati, both lecturers in Sport and Exercise Nutrition. “Events like BASES allow academics to come together, and discuss recent and relevant research,” Adam said. “You get a huge scope of research and engage with high-profile academics. Having a BASES event here really puts the University on the map.”

Lewis Gough, Lecturer in Physiology and Nutrition at BCU, feels having a BASES event demonstrates how far the department has come in such a short space of time. “They’re an excellent organisation to deal with,” he said. “Having them here is fantastic as we’re a very new institution when it comes to sport and exercise science. Us being recognised alongside BASES is fantastic in terms of the exposure it will give the University.”

Alongside the event, Lewis feels the department is growing through the support and advice it offers further afield. “We’re recruiting students and making a positive contribution both nationally and within the local communities, particularly with local clubs where our students and our researchers are providing first-hand guidance and support.”