About
Dr Jack Parker is Assistant Head of Discipline for Sport and Exercise Science and Senior Lecturer in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Derby. He is Deputy Lead of the Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation Research Centre and a Neurodiversity Lead. He is also a Senior Fellow of Advance HE.
Following a 13-year career as a Royal Marines Commando, specialising in physical training and rehabilitation, Jack completed a First Class BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy at Sheffield Hallam University before undertaking an EPSRC-funded PhD exploring how people recovering from stroke use technology-supported feedback during rehabilitation in the home.
His research focuses on rehabilitation, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, physical activity, neurodiversity and innovative models of healthcare delivery. A particular strand of his work examines how technology can support assessment, rehabilitation and clinical decision-making, including research involving thermal imaging and immersive technologies. He also has a growing programme of work focused on neurodiversity, physical activity and participation, including reducing environmental and systemic barriers for neurodivergent people.
Jack has led and contributed to externally funded research and works collaboratively with healthcare, defence, sport, community and industry partners. His research is strongly applied, with an emphasis on developing and evaluating approaches that can translate into improvements in clinical practice, rehabilitation and service delivery. He also supervises PhD and professional doctorate researchers across rehabilitation, musculoskeletal health, neurodiversity and healthcare innovation.
Alongside his research, Jack has a strong track record in teaching and educational leadership. As Neurodiversity Lead, his work focuses on developing neuroinclusive approaches to higher education, reducing barriers to learning and participation, and supporting inclusive practice across the University. His wider academic work brings together research, education and professional practice, underpinned by a commitment to producing meaningful clinical, educational and societal impact.
Research interests
Jack’s research programme focuses on the development, implementation and evaluation of complex interventions in rehabilitation, physical activity and healthcare. Key research interests include:
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Innovative models of rehabilitation and healthcare delivery
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Neurodiversity, neurodisability, physical activity and participation across the lifespan
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Musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation
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Realist evaluation, mixed-methods and qualitative research
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Self-management and long-term condition rehabilitation
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Rehabilitation and assessment technologies, including virtual reality, biofeedback, wearables and thermal imaging
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Translating research into clinical, community, sport and defence settings
Jack has led and contributed to a wide range of externally funded research projects and bids and has published extensively in international peer-reviewed journals.
Recent publications
Selected recent publications
Pote, L., Flatters, K., Stephens, H., Mac Donald, B., Mourton, S., Outram, T., Parker, J. and Keenan, J., (2026). Injuries in Elite British Paralympic Cyclists: A Longitudinal Investigation. Journal of Science and Cycling, 15(1), pp.5-5.
Taylor, A., Dias, R., Powell, L., Parker, J., Roscoe, C., Fenton, C., Armitt, H. and Garside, M. (2026). Experiences of Young People, Parents and Delivery Staff of the Social Prescribing Intervention ‘Safety Nets’: A Qualitative Investigation. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 35(1), e70204. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.70204
Phelan, I., Carrion-Plaza, A., Furness, P.J., Parker, J., Nicolaou, N. and Dimitri, P. (2025). Immersive virtual reality rehabilitation after lower limb surgery in paediatric patients. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 18(1), 30–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/18758894241313093
Powell, L., Parker, J., Stott, J. and Colbert, E.J. (2025). The Impact of Psychoeducation Interventions on Social Skills in Autistic 5–12-Year-Olds: A Narrative Systematic Review. Neurodiversity, 3, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330251356718
Garside, M., Taylor, A., Dias, R., Powell, L., Parker, J., Fenton, C. and Roscoe, C.M.P. (2025). Safety Nets: A Social Prescribing Intervention to Support Young People on CAMHS Waiting Lists. Child & Youth Services, 46(2), 279–298. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2024.2389114
Dias, R., Parker, J., Powell, L., Teige, C., Garside, M. and Wright, B. (2024). ‘Safety Nets’: A community-based social prescribing intervention involving combined physical activity and psychoeducation for young people on mental health service waiting lists: A pilot service evaluation. Advances in Mental Health, 22(1), 104–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/18387357.2023.2215881
Professional interests
Jack’s professional interests include:
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Clinical exercise, rehabilitation and long-term condition management
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Neurodisability and neurodiversity across the lifespan, including ADHD and autism
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Musculoskeletal and spinal rehabilitation
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Physical activity, movement and participation as therapeutic interventions
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Digital health, rehabilitation technologies and technology-enabled assessment
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Innovative models of healthcare and rehabilitation delivery
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Neuroinclusive education and inclusive practice in higher education
Experience in industry
Jack has extensive experience working with:
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NHS and primary care partners on applied rehabilitation and healthcare research
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Defence and military rehabilitation settings
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Professional sport organisations, including football and cricket partners
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Industry partners developing rehabilitation, assessment and health technologies
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NIHR and other externally funded research collaborations
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Charities, community organisations and third-sector partners supporting children, young people and people with long-term conditions
He has worked with organisations across healthcare, sport, defence and industry, including collaborations involving thermal imaging, rehabilitation technologies, performance assessment and service innovation. His work brings together clinicians, academics, engineers, industry partners and service users to develop and evaluate research with clear practical application.
Jack contributes to public and professional engagement around rehabilitation, healthcare technology and neurodiversity. Recent activity includes:
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Public dissemination of the EPSRC EMERGE-funded Thermal Imaging for Musculoskeletal Assessment in Primary Care project
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Engagement around neuroinclusive education and the development of the BRIDGE model
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Professional dissemination of research relating to rehabilitation, neurodiversity, physical activity and children and young people’s mental health
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Invited talks, conference presentations and stakeholder events across healthcare, education, sport and defence
International experience
Jack has developed international collaborations across rehabilitation, clinical exercise, neurodiversity and digital health. His work has been presented at international conferences in the UK and Europe, including invited and chaired sessions, and he has published with international research teams across rehabilitation science, technology-enabled healthcare and neurodevelopmental conditions.
He also contributes to international academic networks and collaborative research activity involving clinicians, academics and industry partners.
Teaching responsibilities
Jack teaches across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes within Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. His main teaching and supervision responsibilities include:
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Module Leader for Advanced Musculoskeletal: Spinal (Level 6, 40 credits)
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Teaching across sports therapy, rehabilitation and clinical exercise programmes
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Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research projects
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Director of Studies and supervisor for PhD, Professional Doctorate and MPhil researchers
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Personal Academic Tutoring and academic mentoring
Jack is committed to applied, research-informed and neuroinclusive education. As the University’s Neurodiversity Lead, he has developed and delivered initiatives to reduce barriers to learning and improve inclusive practice, including the BRIDGE approach to neuroinclusive teaching. His teaching places particular emphasis on clinical reasoning, active learning, clear expectations and supporting students to become confident, independent practitioners and researchers.
Doctoral Students:
- Aaron Townend – PhD: A Realist Evaluation of the Implementation of Virtual Reality-Based Pain Education in the UK Military.
- Vicky Glaze – DPrac: Staff Perspectives and Inpatient Views/Experiences Regarding Falls and Affective Disorders.
- Annett Bozso – PhD: A Neuro-Inclusive Sporting Environment: An Exploration of the Perceptions and Experiences of Neurodivergent Athletes in Elite and Competitive Sport.
- James Kelly – DProf: The Use of Thermal Imaging in Elite Football.
- Joshua Davidson – DProf: Developing an Evidence-Informed Athlete Monitoring Framework for Professional Netball.
- Esther Ajibaye – MPhil/PhD: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Patient Acceptability and Psychosocial Outcomes of Serious Gaming for Cognitive-Motor Rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease.
- Salam Ismael – DProf: Socioeconomic Disparities in ACL Reconstruction: The Impact of Area Deprivation on Outcomes, Rehabilitation Access and Survivorship.