As part of the University’s biggest ever submission to Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism unit of assessment (UoA24), the AWRC has been recognised for the quality and impact of its research in REF 2021. 

Our submission and results reflect the increased quality and quantity of our research activity, which is committed to transforming lives through innovations that help people move. The results confirm that our research is world-leading, internationally excellent, and has outstanding real-world impact.

Key highlights of our UoA24 results include:

• 88% of our research (overall quality profile) is internationally excellent or world leading (4*+3*), up from 67%
• 80% of our research impact is world leading, up from 30% in 2014 
• 100% of our research impact is internationally excellent or world leading (4*+3*), up from 70% in 2014
• We are ranked 4^th in the UK for research power

Read more about Sheffield Hallam University’s full REF 2021 results

The AWRC is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of the population through co-designed research and innovation into physical activity. Our research translates knowledge from elite sport research into real-world solutions for population health. We bring together multiple academic disciplines from across Sheffield Hallam University to create collaborations with industry, communities and the public sector, and our focus on the social, behavioural and economic determinants of health leads to significant positive impact on the wellbeing and equality of communities.

Case Study

Our pioneering new healthcare model moved clinical appointments out of traditional locations such as hospitals and doctor’s surgeries and into community leisure centres. Though changing the culture around physical activity, we empowered people to move more for sustained periods while simultaneously improving clinical services.

Read more about how this research is changing lives.