Time to question the (over)use of SMART goals for physical activity promotion?

The SMART acronym (e.g., Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound) is widely used for setting goals in physical activity, including my leading health organisations and exercise practitioners. Despite its widespread use, there has been little research that has critically examined the scientific underpinnings of the SMART acronym and its application to physical activity promotion. Given concerns…Continue Reading Time to question the (over)use of SMART goals for physical activity promotion?

An exploration of the wellbeing of prison governors and senior managers in England, Wales and Scotland.

In 2021, a multi-disciplinary team of researchers at the University of Lincoln were commissionsed by the Prison Governors Association to evaluate the state of their members’ health and wellbeing, with this being particulary pertinent following the immense pressure experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on semi-structured interviews with 63 prison governors and senior managers, two…Continue Reading An exploration of the wellbeing of prison governors and senior managers in England, Wales and Scotland.

LISTEN and learn: the long and short of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to rapid realignment of research priorities towards the shortterm effects of Covid, the national response to the pandemic and long Covid. The Community and Health Research Unit (CaHRU) has been working with collaborators at the University of Lincoln and other institutions on a number of pandemic studies including a major…Continue Reading LISTEN and learn: the long and short of COVID-19

Rural Health in a changing world: An overview of the Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health

The Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health (LIIRH) conducts interdisciplinary research to address the most important health issues facing rural communities locally, nationally, and internationally. The institute aims to ‘shine a light’ on the unacceptable health inequities that exist across the rural-urban divide and to find innovative ways of reducing or ideally eliminating that inequality….Continue Reading Rural Health in a changing world: An overview of the Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health