Professor Patrick Esser
PhD
Professor of Sport and Rehabilitation Technology
School of Sport, Nutrition and Allied Health Professions
Role
Patrick, is the Director of the Centre for Movement, Occupation and Rehabilitation Sciences (MORES) and Knowledge Exchange Lead for the Faculty of Health, Science & Technology at Oxford Brookes University.
As MOReS Director, he leads the Movement Science theme, overseeing a multidisciplinary team dedicated to developing bespoke hardware and software for clinical and real-world rehabilitation. Under his leadership, MOReS secured membership in the WHO's HEPA Europe Network (Feb 2024).
He draws on a broad engineering background and specialist clinical biomechanics expertise to steer MOReS in delivering impactful movement and rehabilitation research. His substantial publication record, national steering roles, med-tech innovation leadership, and commitment to education contribute meaningfully to progress across both academic and applied health science.
He contributes to national and regional research strategy through his roles on multiple steering committees, including the Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research (OxInAHR) and the Alzheimer's Research UK Thames Valley Network Centre. He plays a key role in knowledge exchange and innovation as a member of the Faculty Innovation Team, and serves as an Academic Advisor to national initiatives such as the NHS Secure Data Environment initiative. In this capacity, he also supports small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) through Innovation UK-funded health technology and data science programmes.
Teaching and supervision
Courses
- Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) (MSc)
- Biomedical Science (BSc (Hons))
- Physiotherapy (BSc (Hons))
- Sport and Exercise Science (BSc (Hons))
- Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (BSc (Hons))
- Sport, Physical Activity and Health Promotion (BSc (Hons), DipHE, CertHE)
Modules taught
Sports Degrees
- Independent Studies 1 (Sem1&2)
- Independent Studies 2 (Sem1&2)
- Emerging Technology in Exercise and Health
- Project / Dissertation
Physiotherapy Degree:
- Human Movement and Dysfunction
- Specialist & Advanced Physiotherapy
Biomedical & Medical Sciences Degree:
- Research Methods
- Independent Studies
- Project Dissertation
Supervision
At the Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS), we recognise the immense potential of aspiring researchers like you and believe that your contribution could significantly impact the future of our end-users and stakeholders.
If you possess a strong academic background, a curious and inquisitive mind and a desire to engage in groundbreaking research, I encourage you to consider applying to one of our PhD programmes by contacting me at the details at the top of this website.
Research Students
| Name | Thesis title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Diana Bingham | A Psychosocial approach to promoting physical activity in adolescents aged 11-15 years | Active |
| Sam Burden | Cardiac function of the left ventricle in obese adolescents with the establishment of links to metabolic health and physiological and perceptual exercise responses | Active |
| Isabel Cooper | Evaluation of the feasibility of a co-developed inclusive pelvic floor informational gateway tool for childbearing women. | Active |
| Ed Daly | Concussion characterisation using current concussion diagnosis and evaluation measures compared to novel objective testing methods | Active |
| Josh Eales | Changing the rules of the game: A longitudinal investigation on the implementation of ecological dynamics within a Premier League football club | Active |
| Daniel Newcombe | The Environment Design Framework: Bridging the gap between the theoretical understanding and the practical application of constraints-led approach | Active |
| Zoe Taylor | Power training for fall rehabilitation and prevention in over 56s and comparisons of recovery mechanisms for loss of balance between fallers and non-fallers | Active |
| Amelia White | Optimising the duration of time spent in green space to maximise mental health and wellbeing for the UK’s population | Active |
Research
Centres and institutes
- Oxford Institute of Applied Health Research
- Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences (MOReS)
Groups
- Occupational Sciences
- Rehabilitation Sciences
- Trauma and Musculoskeletal Health (TraMH)
- Movement Sciences
Projects
- Research interest, engagement, capacity and capability
- Exploration of lifestyle including dietary patterns on later life quality of movement
Projects as Principal Investigator, or Lead Academic if project is led by another Institution
- Understanding changes in muscle energy production and oxygenation during PEM by utilization of two state-of-the-art in-vivo measurement techniques (led by University of Oxford) (01/01/2025 - 31/12/2025), funded by: The ME Association
Publications
Professional information
Memberships of professional bodies
- Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford - Committee Member
- European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children (ESMAC) - Member
- European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity (EGRAPA) - Member