Centre for Research and Innovation in Sport (CRIS)
The Centre for Research and Innovation in Sport (CRIS) drives world-class research. We have a positive impact on society and sporting organisations. Our multidisciplinary team focuses activities around health and well-being, inclusion and performance.
CRIS is dedicated to research and innovation across the entire spectrum of sport. We work with cutting-edge technologies and collaborate with key partners. Our projects deliver tangible benefits for athletes, coaches, organisations, and communities globally. The University of Stirling is a leader in sports research, and CRIS builds on that reputation.
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Our mission
CRIS is part of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at the University of Stirling. Our mission is:
To conduct transformational research and lead on consultancy and innovation that informs the sporting landscape and enriches lives and society in Scotland and internationally, with a clear focus on generating lasting impact.
Our themes
The vision for CRIS is built around three key themes:
- Health and Well-being
- Inclusion
- Performance
We aim to enrich lives, support communities, and influence sporting organisations. Our multidisciplinary approach is aligned with national and international strategies.
Our methods
- Coordinate our research and consultancy efforts in line with University of Stirling research strategy, UN Sustainable Development Goals, UKRI strategic priorities, Scottish Government, sportscotland, and UK Sport core strategies.
- Create a critical mass of researchers and postgraduate students to tackle urgent challenges in the sport and public health sectors.
- Conduct high-quality, interdisciplinary research that has global impact and relevance.
- Raise the profile of Sport research and innovation within and beyond the university.
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Our aims
- Target research funding on global and national challenges linked to our three themes.
- Use new technologies to tackle novel research questions.
- Collaborate with key partners to strengthen our research funding bids.
- Deliver on research and consultancy contracts with strategic partners to add value and impact.
- Generate measurable impact for society, communities and sporting organisations.
- Evolve our research and consultancy work to ensure it is relevant for and sustainable beyond REF 2029.
Pursue an MPhil or PhD with CRIS
We support doctoral researchers to tackle critical challenges in sport and public health.
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Meet the team
Co-led by Professor Anna Whittaker and Professor Stuart Galloway, CRIS is positioned at the intersection of sport, health, and social change. It brings together experts with the goal of collaborating on mission-led interdisciplinary research and funding bids within Sport, across the university, and with external partners to solve real-world challenges.