Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
Alison is a Reader in Physical Activity for Health at Strathclyde University and a core member of the Physical Activity for Health group. She completed a BSc in Physiology and Sports Science at the University of Glasow (1998) before undertaking a PhD through the same university (completed 2003). She was a Lecturer at Dundee University (2003-2008) before moving to Strathclyde University in 2009.
Teaching Interests
- Established 20 year track record of designing, organising and delivering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate classes including the development and validation of several new classes and overall review of degree programmes. Strong focus towards research integrated teaching and utilisation of innovative methods of teaching. Focus also towards developing transferable skills to improve employability of students during and after their undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
- Evidence of leading teaching programmes through current role as Course Leader for the MRes in Physical Activity for Health and past roles as Course Leader for the BSc Sport and Physical Activity degree and co-ordinator for two BA programmes (Sport and Psychology and Sport and Education).
- Past and current leadership roles as examination officer, disability co-ordinator, year group co-ordinator.
- Four years experience as Postgraduate Deputy Director including promoting applications for PG research, supporting students and organisation and chair of Viva examinations.
- Previous invited external examiner for BSc Sport, Physical activity and Health degree programme at the University of Leeds Metropolitan (2012-2016) and MSc Clinical Exercise Science at Edinburgh Napier University (2016-2021).
- Invited examiner for 12 PhD thesis (11 external) including: University of Leicester (2023), University of Edinburgh (2023), University of Loughborough (2020), Australian Catholic University (2020), Glasgow University (July 2019), Deakin University, Australia (June 2017), Strathclyde University (September 2016), Stirling University (June 2014), Newcastle University (March 2014), Ulster University (November 2011), Victoria University, Australia (June 2011), Bristol University (March 2009), Birmingham University (July 2007).
- Successful postgraduate research supervision with 11 completed and 5 ongoing PhDs.
Research Interests
- 24 year programme of translational research exploring methods of supporting active lifestyles for diabetes prevention and management which has led to UK and International impact on health care policy and practice.
- In total 86 refereed publications since 2003. 4006 citations from publications. Current H Index of 33.
- Awarded over £3,000,000 in grant funding for research since award of PhD in 2003, including a number as PI, several multicentre trials and collaborative PhD studentships.
Expertise & Capabilities
Has expertise in:
- Physical activity and sedentary behaviour and behaviour change with particular focus on diabetes
- Development of interventions to support active lifestyles
- Integration of digital technology to support behaviour change
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Promoting physical activity in people with Type 2 diabetes, UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Dec 1999 → Jan 2003
Award Date: 6 Jun 2003
Bachelor of Science, Physiology and Sports Science , University of Glasgow
Oct 1994 → May 1998
Award Date: 5 Jun 1998
Keywords
- Diabetes
- Physical activity
- Sedentary Behaviour
- Interventions
- Digital health
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Sentinel Trauma Mobile App
Kirk, A. (Principal Investigator)
Sentiental Limited (trading as Sentinel)
1/03/25 → 31/03/29
Project: Knowledge Exchange
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£12,262,72k HaSS Bridging Disciplines: "Predicting healthy ageing and age-related disorders using the UK Biobank Database" Successfully funded
McGeown, W. (Principal Investigator), Mavroeidi, A. (Principal Investigator), Parra Rodriguez, M. (Co-investigator), Brown Nicholls, L. (Co-investigator), Rasmussen, S. (Co-investigator), Robertson, D. (Co-investigator), Tse, D. (Co-investigator), Kirk, A. (Co-investigator), Hafford-Letchfield, T. (Co-investigator), Rattray, N. (Co-investigator), Bushell, T. (Co-investigator), Gould, G. (Co-investigator), GANGANNAGARIPALLI, J. (Co-investigator), Carswell, H. (Co-investigator), Tate, R. (Co-investigator), Kurdi, A. (Co-investigator), Lennon, M. (Co-investigator), Moshfeghi, Y. (Co-investigator), Roper, M. (Co-investigator), McConnell, G. (Co-investigator), Kerr, A. (Co-investigator), Li, D. (Co-investigator), Thomson, A. (Co-investigator), Campbell, G. (Co-investigator), Vourganas, I. (Co-investigator), Clark, R. (Co-investigator) & Macdonald, M. (Co-investigator)
8/03/23 → 9/11/25
Project: Internally funded project
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P208 Physiotherapists' experiences of using digital health technologies in adult cystic fibrosis care
Morrison, L., Saynor, Z., Kirk, A. & McCann, L., 3 Jun 2025, In: Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 24, S1, p. S134 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference abstract › peer-review
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Results of a feasibility and adaptation study of a mobile application “CareFit”: supporting physical activity for informal carers of people with dementia
Egan, K. J., Hodgson, W., Macdonald, B., Meiklem, R., Innes, R., Kirk, A., Fawcett, B., Dunlop, M. D., Maguire, R., Flynn, G., Stott, J. & Windle, G., 15 May 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Medical Internet Research.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Datasets
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Data for: "A novel research method for workshops and co-production of interventions: using a secret Facebook group"
Buelo, A. (Creator), Kirk, A. (Creator) & Jepson, R. (Creator), figshare, 4 Apr 2023
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5195122.v1
Dataset
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Data for: "Physical activity guidelines and promotion: An online survey of United Kingdom’s prosthetic rehabilitation healthcare professionals"
Deans, S. (Creator), Kirk, A. (Creator), McGarry, A. (Creator) & Rowe, D. (Creator), figshare, 4 Apr 2023
DOI: 10.25384/sage.c.4992821.v1
Dataset
Activities
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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections (SPARC) Conference 2025
Kirk, A. (Chair)
2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organiser of major conference
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Physical activity in prevention and management of Diabetes
Kirk, A. (Invited speaker)
2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk