Professor Christopher Nester
School of Health and Society
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Current positions
Lead Professor, Directorate of Allied and Public Health
BIOGRAPHY
Professor Chris Nester is a Podiatrist by first degree and is now Lead Professor within the Directorate of Allied and Public Health. Chris was the first Podiatrist to be appointed to the UK Government “Research Excellence Framework” exercise (REF), which reviews research excellence across all UK Universities. He is Academic Director of the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) “Centre for Doctoral Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics”. Chris led the James Lind Alliance “Priority Setting Partnership”, revealing the top 10 foot health research priorities in the UK.
His research uses quantitative and qualitative approaches to understand foot and lower limb biomechanics, footwear and orthotic design, and factors impacting on foot health. Current projects include the use of wearable sensors to understand ulceration in feet affected by diabetes, the development of feet in infancy as we learn to walk, foot biomechanics to support industry footwear/orthotic design and testing, and the impact of losing foot health on wellbeing.
Chris has published over 130 journals papers, secured more than £10 million in research funds and had 23 PhD students complete their studies with him. Chris has a range of UK and international collaborations and partnerships to support research, including work with major industry including Clark’s footwear and Scholl footcare.
Chris has secured research funds from the EU, industry, NHS, charities, the National Institute for Health Research, and INNOVATE UK, with 6 “Knowledge Transfer Partnerships” with industry thus far.
Areas of research
Foot and lower limb biomechanics, Footwear and orthotic design, Factors impacting on foot health, Orthotics, Health
Chris leads the module “Contemporary Professional Issues in Prosthetics and Orthotics”, part of year 1 of the 4 year Doctoral programme in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
Chris uses quantitative and qualitative research approaches to understand foot and lower limb biomechanics, footwear and orthotic design, and factors impacting on foot health. Current projects include the use of wearable sensors to understand ulceration in feet affected by diabetes, the development of feet in infancy as we learn to walk, foot biomechanics to support industry footwear/orthotic design and testing, and the impact of losing foot health on wellbeing.
Qualifications
- BSc (Hon) Podiatry
- PhD Foot and Ankle Biomechanics