Take 10 with... Suzie Belcher

1. Describe your research topic to us in 10 words or less.

Exploring injury prevention, well-being and rehabilitation in female sport.

2. Now explain it in everyday terms!

I aim to understand the biological and psychosocial attributes of the female athlete and how these factors support or limit their ability to engage safely and effectively in sport or physical activity. With growing media attention and increased female participation in sport, it is an important time for this work. If I can combine this with my passion for user-friendly technology that enhances assessments and provides instant, coachable feedback – even better! 

3. Describe some of your day-to-day research activities.

My daily research may include meetings with high-performance sporting organisations or experts in the industry to determine what questions they need answered. I also supervise and collaborate with students and lecturers within this university and others. Sometimes my day is taken up with investigating new grant opportunities or writing manuscripts and peer reviews for journals. On extra exciting days I am playing with new technology (3D markerless imaging, wireless EMG and portable technology), to explore its benefits for coaches, clinicians, players, patients or scientists in the industry.  

4. What do you enjoy most about your research?

Research allows me to indulge my very curious nature and spend time exploring new innovations or opportunities to question the world around me. Working with students or early researchers is a real privilege, as is staying engaged with the sporting industry and communities that have been such a fundamental part of my development and identity.

5. Tell us something that has surprised you in the course of your research. 

The inner, and often outer, strength of female athletes, alongside their phenomenal ability to manage and prioritise their life around their whānau, work, community and sport always surprises me. Yet, even with increasing media exposure, so few of them are asked or expect to be asked about their challenges. These include their own beliefs around their capabilities and how they have succeeded amid such pressing responsibilities and dramatic physiological differences or health changes, like pregnancy.  I feel very privileged to hear their stories and learn from them all. It surprises me these questions aren’t asked more often and that we don’t explore more ways to offer support. 

6. How have you approached any challenges you’ve faced in your research?

Often my biggest challenges involve sudden faults in equipment or, because I regularly test out in the field, the participants withdrawing at the last minute. To counter this, I have always tried to collect as much data as possible in a day, often for multiple study outcomes, to reduce the time burden on my participants. I try to have back up teams or participants wherever possible and I reach out to my growing network of industry partners and colleagues to offer support or insights when things look dire. Overall, it’s about planning as much as I can, not getting too frustrated when things go wrong (humans can be chaotic) and being kind to myself if it doesn’t all go to plan. 

7. What questions have emerged as a result?

Phew! I always have never-ending questions. As soon as I see a new bit of technology or speak to someone in a new sport, I start thinking about what questions could be asked and if the answers will be useful. Some of my current work is in comparing vibration interventions, testing new variables in return-to-play ACL testing and jump-landing mechanics with a ball in hand, to name a few. 

8. What kind of impact do you hope your research will have?

The research impact differs from project to project. Overall, my hope is that we can improve our understanding of how best to serve females in sport/activity, so they continue to enjoy participating. Explaining the benefits and encouraging the use of usable quantifiable technology in the clinical and sporting environment is also important to me.  

9. If you collaborate across the faculty or University, or even outside the University, who do you work with and how does it benefit your research?

I’m always excited to explore opportunities to work with anyone with an interest in my field. I collaborate within my own programme (Master of Physiotherapy Practice) and across the Department of Exercise Sciences. I also have an ongoing partnership with AUT and High Performance Sport NZ and look to build collaboration with other Physiotherapy schools and industry or institute experts overseas. These connections broaden my knowledge and understanding and help me develop exciting and robust research projects, whilst increasing my presence in my research field. 

10. What one piece of advice would you give your younger, less experienced research self?

Never lose your curiosity and be kind to yourself.