BMag-2012 - University of Birmingham

30 The Birmingham Magazine
30 The Birmingham Magazine
Olympic torch bearer, University hero and
Senior Lecturer in Coaching and Sports
Science, Dr Matt Bridge has been voted the
academic alumni, staff, students and members
of the public would most like to go behind the
scenes with.
Five of the University’s most inspirational
academics took part in the University’s Behind
the Scenes competition, a showcase of the
innovative research taking place across
campus and five lucky entrants won the chance
to spend a day with one of the academics.
The winners, chosen at random, joined the
academics in their exciting work, experiencing
firsthand some of the most exciting research
taking place at the University.
The prizes on offer were: the chance to create
an interactive robot demonstration with
In the swing: Behind the Scenes competition winner Dr Matt Bridge
GOLFING BEHIND
THE SCENES
Inspirational academic wins contest to share his research
with a member of the public.
Birmingham Heroes: Inspiring success
www.birmingham.ac.uk/heroes
computer scientist, Dr Nick Hawes; to be
an orangutan for the day with free-running
athletes and biologist Dr Susannah Thorpe;
to improvise a musical composition with the
Birmingham Electroacoustic Ensemble and
musician Dr Scott Wilson; to develop the
perfect golf swing with sports coach Dr Matt
Bridge; and listen to the music of the stars
with scientist Professor Bill Chaplin.
Dr Matt Bridge just pipped his competitors
to the post to win the University’s first ever
Behind the Scenes competition, receiving
the most votes. His research focuses on
the developmental processes of athletes
and the physical limitations to technique,
especially in golf. Using high speed 3D
motion analysis, Matt is able to analyse the
movement of the golf swing and its effect
on ball flight.
Seminar raises
debate on nursing
care standards
A sell-out audience attended a seminar
looking at the reasons and potential
remedies for poor nursing care.
Hosted by the University’s Health Services
Management Centre (HSMC), the seminar
discussed the Time to care? policy paper,
which considered practical solutions to
improving nursing standards, as identified
by a nursing think tank.
These included aspects of nursing and
the hospital environment, such as a return
to multi-bedded wards, where staff are
visible to patients; redefining nurse/ward
leadership roles; and providing emotional
support for nursing staff who regularly deal
with distressing situations.
To view the paper, search for the HSMC
publications area of the University’s website.
‘This kind of engagement
is a great opportunity for all
parties. I am really looking
forward to meeting the
winner and giving them the
same experience and input
that elite players receive
when we work with them on
improving their golf swing.’