Miss Cassie Oddy
School of Health & Society
Current positions
Lecturer
Biography
Cassie is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Salford and a Chartered Physiotherapist (HCPC registered, MCSP, FHEA). She has over 15 years’ experience in higher education alongside a 25 year clinical background in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy.
Her research focuses on footwear, running-related injury, injury epidemiology, and musculoskeletal health, with a particular interest in understanding the mechanisms underpinning injury risk and prevention strategies. Her doctoral work explored neuromuscular adaptations and injury implications associated with barefoot and minimalist running, forming the foundation of her ongoing research programme.
Cassie contributes to research activity within the Centre for Human Movement and Rehabilitation, including collaborative projects, supervision of postgraduate research, and the development of outputs from large-scale datasets and mixed-methods studies.
Alongside her academic work, she maintains clinical engagement within elite sport, including roles with the Football Association supporting the Future Lioness Talent Pathway. Her teaching centres on creating a supportive and collaborative learning environment that encourages critical thinking, curiosity, and evidence-based practice.
Her work aims to generate impactful research in sport and exercise science, with a focus on translating findings into practical applications for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Areas of Research
My research focuses on musculoskeletal health in runners, with particular emphasis on footwear and running-related injury. Key areas of interest include neuromuscular adaptation to changes in running surface and footwear, and the epidemiology of running injuries, including differences in injury prevalence between barefoot and shod runners.
I am also interested in injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies, with a focus on developing evidence-based approaches that can be applied in real-world settings. In addition, my work explores the evolution of running footwear, as well as the experiences of barefoot running, including the barriers and facilitators to participation within the UK context.
I am a senior academic with over 15 years of experience in higher education, teaching across physiotherapy, sports therapy, and sports medicine programmes at both BSc and MSc level. I have held key roles including course leader, year leader, admissions tutor, exams officer, and module leader, and have a strong understanding of the structure and organisation of higher education institutions. My specialty lies in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and sport, including the delivery of sports trauma teaching.
In my teaching, I create an open and supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to be honest about their strengths and areas for development. I promote curiosity, active engagement, and reflection, ensuring students feel safe to participate and ask questions. I aim to build strong, authentic connections with students so they feel valued and recognise that they have meaningful contributions to make. This student-centred approach supports the development of confidence, self-awareness, and deeper engagement with learning
Qualifications
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The Neuromuscular Adaptations of Barefoot Running
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Advancing Physiotherapy
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Physiotherapy