Emily holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science (2019), MSc in Strength and Conditioning (2020) and PhD in Sports Nutrition and Neuromuscular Function (2026), all from VR成人视频. Alongside these degrees and beyond, Emily has gained a wealth of experience in professional sporting environments, primarily as a Strength & Conditioning Coach/Sports Scientist. Emily’s applied work spans several sports, with her predominant interests being in football, dance, and gymnastics, and working with female and youth athletes.
Between 2021-2026, Emily completed her PhD part-time alongside a Postgraduate University Teacher role within the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS). In January of 2026, Emily joined SSEHS on a permanent basis and currently delivers across several of our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, predominantly in the areas of kinesiology, strength and conditioning, neuromuscular physiology, nutrition, and rehabilitation. Emily also leads the practical delivery of these disciplines. Emily is the module leader for ‘Kinesiology, Growth and Development’ (Part A), and ‘Applied Sports Science: Conditioning & Analysis’ (Part C).
Alongside her core teaching activities, Emily is passionate about developing inclusive teaching methods, university outreach, and promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) both within and beyond the institution. As part of this work, Emily sits on several EDI committees, including the EDI in Learning and Teaching group within SSEHS, and the EDI Advisory Group of the Chartered Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences.
Emily’s PhD examined the effects of plant-based foods, diets and supplements on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in recreationally active and athletic populations.
Emily’s research interests are broad and include:
- The effect of plant-based foods, diets and supplements on exercise performance and recovery
- Female athlete health, performance and wellbeing
- Applied projects in strength and conditioning/nutrition, primarily with female participants
- Applied projects in elite football, dance and gymnastics
- Teaching and scholarship work to promote belonging and inclusion for under-represented/disadvantaged groups (i.e., women, international students, neurodivergent people, those from low socio-economic backgrounds)
- Exploring and remedying the barriers to effective participation, performance and engagement in sport and sports science research in female populations
Emily is also passionate about knowledge translation to the end user and has won several awards for her work in this area.
Emily is an approved UKAD Educator, delivering anti-doping training to athletes and performance support staff. She also works for Loughborough Sport as a Performance Lifestyle Advisor, mentoring elite and performance athletes in sports including athletics, cycling, squash and women’s basketball.
Leadership Roles
Member of the EDI Advisory Group for the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Invited Presentations
Hansell, E. J. (2023) Working Class Women in Sport & Exercise Science: Barriers & Opportunities. Changing Research Cultures for the Future: A Conference for Working Class People in STEM, 14th June, Nottingham (UK).
Professional Memberships
- UK Strength & Conditioning Association (UKSCA)
- The Nutrition Society
- The Physiological Society
- The Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Featured publications
- Hansell, E. J., Reynolds, K. M., Škarabot, J., James, L. J., Clifford, T., & Thorley, J. (2026). . European Journal of Applied Physiology, 126(2), 787-799. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-025-05936-6
- Abbott, W., Rowland, S. N., McKnight, C. E., Hansell, E. J., & Clifford, T. (2026). . Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005586
- Hansell, E. J., Bailey, P., O’Brien, T. (2025). Para and Adaptive Sports: Looking Ahead to the Future. The Sport & Exercise Scientist.
- Reynolds, K. M., Hansell, E. J., Thorley, J., Funnell, M. P., Thackray, A. E., Stensel, D. J., ... & Clifford, T. (2025). . British Journal of Nutrition, 134(4), 265-276. DOI: 10.1017/s0007114525103851
- Hansell, E. J., & Fraser, K. (2024). Neurodiverse athletes and practitioners: facilitating inclusive practices within Sport & Exercise Sciences. The Sport & Exercise Scientist (80), pp. 23-26.
- Peden, D. L., Derbyshire, S., Funnell, M. P., McLeod, C. J., Rumbold, P., Hansell, E. J., Clifford, T., Mears, S. A., & James, L. J. (2024). . European Journal of Applied Physiology, 124 (10), pp. 3085–3093. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05516-0.
- Abbott, W.*, Hansell, E. J.*, Brett, A., Škarabot, J., James, L. J., & Clifford, T. (2023). . International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 18(4), 347-353. DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0283
* Joint first-authors