Personal profile
Summary
Senior Teaching Fellow in Strength and Conditioning
Course Leader: MSc Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation
Biography
Rob is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Strength and Conditioning within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Portsmouth, where he has worked since 2018. He is a UKSCA-Accredited Stength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)), with over 13-years of applied experience across elite, academy, and community sport.
Rob has led athletic development programmes within Premier League and EFL academy systems, and has supported athletes across a wide range of sports including tennis, ski-cross, cricket, judo, sailing, para-dressage, shooting and athletics. His work spans national and international levels, with a focus on long-term athlete development, inclusive practice, and coach-athlete relationships.
Alongside his academic role, Rob continues to coach and consult within high-performance environments, and is currently undertaking doctoral research exploring gender diversity within the strength and conditioning profession.
Teaching Responsibilities
Rob is the course leader for MSc Strength, Conditioning and Rehabiliation. He also teaches across BSc Sport and Exercise Science, and BSc Sport, Health and Exercise Science (Dual Award) within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences.
Level 7 (MSc)
- Strength and Conditioning Practice - Module Coordinator
- Strength and Conditioning Development - Module Coordinator
- Research Development and Practice - Project Supervisor
Level 6 (Third Year UG)
- Advanced Strength and Conditioning - Module Coordinator
- Professional Development
- Project - Project Supervisor
Level 5 (Second Year UG)
- Strength and Conditioning for Sport, Exercise and Health
- Work-Based Learning (Dual Award)
Level 4 (First Year UG)
- Intoduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology
Research Interests
Rob is currently undertaking research as part of a PhD, using novel qualitative approaches to support the gender-diversity of applied S&C practitioners. Rob supervises both UG and PGT research projects within the discipline of strength and conditioning including:
- Velocity-based training
- Cueing for olympic weighlifting
- Electromyography across gym-based movements
- Strength, power and speed relationships
Education/Academic qualification
Ph.D., Sport Exercise and Health Science, University of Portsmouth
2021 → 2027
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Advance HE
MSc, Strength and Conditioning, Middlesex University
BSc (Hons), Sport and Exercise Science, Middlesex University
Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach (ASCC), UK Strength and Conditioning Association
External positions
External Examiner, University of Brighton
1 Oct 2026 → …
Academy Athletic Development Coach, Bath Rugby
Jul 2025 → …
External Examiner, The Open University
2024 → 2025
Head of Strength and Conditioning, University of Portsmouth Sport
2018 → 2021
Head of Academy Sport Science, Swansea City Associated Football Club
2017 → 2018
Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine, Peterborough United Football Club
2015 → 2017
Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach, Queens Park Rangers Football Club
2014 → 2015
Strength and Conditioning Coach, Athletic Performance Academy
2013 → 2015
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):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Research output
- 1 Commissioned report
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FITTPA Project Report for September 2023 – July 2024
Middleton, T. R. F., Dent, A., Edwards, R., Rowland, R., Fasulo, A., Leddy-Owen, C. & Brown, D. J., 1 Mar 2025, University of Portsmouth. 14 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile35 Downloads (Pure)
Projects
- 2 Finished
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Fostering Forced Migrants’ Integration and Thriving Through Physical Activity
Middleton, T. (PI), Rowland, R. (CoI), Brown, D. (CoI), Fasulo, A. (CoI) & Leddy-Owen, C. (CoI)
Portsmouth City of Sanctuary Charity
1/08/23 → 31/07/25
Project: Research
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Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation Facility Rent
Rowland, R. (PI)
1/04/22 → 31/05/24
Project: Innovation
Activities
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IUSCA International Conference on Strength and Conditioning
Rowland, R. (Participant)
6 Jun 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Strength and Conditioning Principles in Rehabiliation for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Rowland, R. (Organiser)
13 Mar 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Conference
Rowland, R. (Invited speaker)
30 Oct 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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International Conference on Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise
Rowland, R. (Speaker)
30 Jul 2024 → 1 Aug 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Presentation at the WiSEAN Conference
Rowland, R. (Speaker)
27 Jun 2024Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation