Health research is a key strength of UTS’s research strategy. The strategy is underpinned by a significant five-year investment and has a focus on collaborative and interdisciplinary research; innovative technological approaches; commitment to researcher development and strengthening the relationship between research and teaching and learning.

We are especially interested in research that connects evidence with practice: better assessment, better communication, better rehabilitation, and better access to care. Our team works with students, clinicians, health services, communities and research partners to answer questions that matter in real-world physiotherapy.

Our researchers work across pain, rehabilitation, ageing, digital health, neurological recovery, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiorespiratory care and implementation science. We partner with clinicians, health services, communities and research students to produce evidence that can improve physiotherapy practice in the real world.

Interested in working with us?

We welcome enquiries from:

  • prospective PhD and Master of Research students
  • clinicians and health services interested in research partnerships
  • community organisations and industry partners
  • researchers seeking collaboration
  • postdoctoral and early career researchers

How to enquire about a research degree:

  1. Explore our research themes and supervisors.
  2. Read the relevant supervisor’s current projects.
  3. Email us with your CV, academic transcript, research interests, and preferred supervisor.

Supervisors

The following supervisors are open to receiving expressions of interest:

A/Prof Bruno Saragiotto

Bruno supervises projects on digital health, telehealth and implementation science, especially where new models of care can improve access and outcomes for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Bruno's research projects

A/Prof Joshua Pate

Josh works with PhD and MRes students interested in children’s pain, pain science education, pain assessment, artificial intelligence, public communication and how evidence can be translated into schools, clinics and families. 

Josh's research projects

A/Prof Peter Stubbs

Peter’s HDR supervision areas include stroke, traumatic brain injury, emerging technologies, meta-research and database research, all linked by a focus on improving physiotherapy evidence and practice.

Peter's research projects

Dr Anthony Nasser

Tony studies hip and buttock pain, gluteal tendinopathy, proximal hamstring tendinopathy, ischiofemoral impingement, femoroacetabular impingement and sports physiotherapy.

Anthony's research projects

Dr Poonam Mehta

Poonam supports research on pain, physical function and ageing, including projects that use systematic reviews, clinical studies and measurement approaches to improve physiotherapy assessment and care.

Poonam's research projects

Elise Robinson

Elise explores how people experience and respond to movement, physical activity and functional tasks, including work on movement-evoked pain, resilience and performance.

Elise's research projects

A/Prof Rafael Zambelli de Almeida Pinto

Rafael supervises research on evidence-based musculoskeletal care, chronic pain management and physiotherapy approaches that aim to improve outcomes for adults and older people.

Rafael's research projects

Dr Mark Overton

Mark works with students on pain, knee osteoarthritis, low back pain, daily symptom tracking, quantitative sensory testing, self-management, physical activity and interprofessional rehabilitation.

Mark's research projects

Dr Lucy Robertson

Lucy studies neurorehabilitation, proprioception, outcome measurement and physiotherapy practice.

Lucy's research projects

Dr Jack Reeves

Jack researches cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, pulmonary telerehabilitation, post-COVID respiratory recovery and preventing complications after major surgery.

Jack's research projects

More information