Research in sport and recreation

Ranked in the top 50 in the world, AUT is globally known for its leading sport and exercise science research. Our research covers sport and activity-related areas, as well as performance, nutrition, coaching and human potential.

We're proud to be the home of New Zealand's top sport and fitness facility, AUT Millennium, and the Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ) is New Zealand’s number one sports research institute.

Institutes, centres and networks

Research archive

Research degrees

AUT Millennium

Our researchers work on key national projects at AUT Millennium, our world-class sports training and research facility.

AUT Millennium website

Mark Orams
John Cronin
Elaine Rush
Grant Schofield
Mark Orams
Our professors Mark Orams Professor of Sport and Recreation Professor Mark Orams' research interests focus on marine recreation and sport, high performance sport, leadership, coaching and outdoor education. He has been involved in the top level of sport as an athlete, a coach and as a sports team leader. Professor Mark Orams' research interests focus on marine recreation and sport, high performance sport, leadership, coaching and outdoor education. A professional sailor who has raced around the world, he has been involved in two America’s Cups, has won multiple world and New Zealand titles and thus, has been involved in the top level of sport as an athlete, a coach and as a sports team leader.
John Cronin
Our professors John Cronin Professor of Strength and Conditioning Research in high performance sport is a key focus for Professor John Cronin who has worked with some of the world’s top athletes, and believes that being an academic is all about people. Research in high performance sport is a key focus for Professor John Cronin who currently supervises a number of postgraduate students from New Zealand and overseas. Former discus world champion Beatrice Faumuina, New Zealand Cricket and the Silver Ferns have all benefited from Professor Cronin’s strength and conditioning expertise.
Elaine Rush
Our professors Elaine Rush Professor of Nutrition An internationally recognised research leader with expertise in nutrition, energy expenditure, physical activity and the measurement of body composition, Professor Elaine Rush is a champion for the multi-ethnic communities she works with. An internationally recognised research leader with expertise in nutrition, energy expenditure, physical activity and the measurement of body composition, Professor Elaine Rush is a champion for the multi-ethnic communities she works with. She leads the AUT Food Network and provides academic leadership for Project Energize, a multimillion dollar regional health programme that has improved nutrition and physical activity in schools.
Grant Schofield
Our professors Grant Schofield Professor of Public Health Professor Grant Schofield is an authority on wellbeing and chronic disease prevention, especially related to reducing the risk from factors like obesity. Professor Grant Schofield is internationally known as an authority on wellbeing and chronic disease prevention, especially related to reducing the risk from obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition to being professor of public health, Professor Schofield is director of the Human Potential Centre.
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News
Professor Lesley Ferkins
THE Rankings Sep 2019
62% increase in AUT researchers
AUT's new Professors
Balls and rackets on AstroTurf
Professor Lesley Ferkins
Five questions: Professor Lesley Ferkins
13 Sep, 2019
We asked Professor Lesley Ferkins five questions about her research ahead of her Inaugural Professorial Address.
THE Rankings Sep 2019
AUT moves up 50 places in world rankings
12 Sep, 2019
AUT is now in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 50 for research citations.
62% increase in AUT researchers
62% increase in AUT researchers
30 Apr, 2019
Growing expertise to help New Zealand and the world
AUT's new Professors
New Professors and Associate Professors
01 Nov, 2018
AUT has announced the promotion to Professor of seven senior academics. A further 16 academics have been appointed as Associate Professors.
Balls and rackets on AstroTurf
AUT number one for sport science in NZ
26 Oct, 2018
New rankings place AUT as New Zealand’s top university for sport science.
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Events
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'What can we learn when we do this together?': a public lecture by Lesley Ferkins
Tuesday 1 Oct, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
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Andrew Kilding's inaugural professorial address: free public lecture
Tuesday 26 Nov, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
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Scott Brown
Chloe McKenzie
Lesley Sommerfield
Erin Bowerman
Matthew Kritz
Scott Brown
Great graduatesScott BrownResearch Fellow, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USADoctor of PhilosophyAttending AUT is one of the greatest decisions he has made, says Dr Scott R Brown who came to AUT from the USA to complete a PhD in sports biomechanics.Attending AUT is one of the greatest decisions he has made, says Dr Scott R Brown who came to AUT from the USA to complete a PhD in sports biomechanics. For his doctoral research, Scott explored knee injuries in rugby athletes. Scott presented his work at several international and national conferences, and he received the PhD Academy Award by the prestigious British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Chloe McKenzie
Great graduatesChloe McKenzieStrength and Conditioning Coach, High Performance Sport New Zealand / Owner, Next Level NetballDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Sport and Exercise
Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
Bachelor of Sport and RecreationHelping athletes achieve their goals is what she loves most about being a strength and conditioning coach, says sport and recreation alumna Chloe McKenzie.Helping athletes achieve their goals is what she loves most about her career as a strength and conditioning coach, says sport and recreation alumna Chloe McKenzie. She has always had a love for sport, says Chloe whose passion for sport and recreation saw her take on study from undergraduate level all the way up to a PhD.
Lesley Sommerfield
Great graduatesLesley SommerfieldStudentDoctor of PhilosophyA visit to Auckland confirmed that AUT was the right place for her to complete her PhD in sport, says Lesley Sommerfield who came to AUT from the USA.A visit to Auckland confirmed that AUT was the right place for her to complete her PhD in sport and recreation, says Lesley Sommerfield who came to AUT as an international student from the USA. For her PhD research, Lesley developed an injury prevention programme which she then implemented into the PE curriculum in a girls’ secondary school, aiming to reduce injury risk factors and improve athletic performance.
Erin Bowerman
Great graduatesErin BowermanStrength and Conditioning Coach, New Zealand Dance CompanyMaster of Sport and ExerciseThere’s nothing she doesn’t love about her job as a strength and conditioning coach at the New Zealand Dance Company, says AUT sport alumna Erin Bowerman.There’s nothing she doesn’t love about her job, says AUT sport and recreation alumna Erin Bowerman who has created a first of its kind strength and conditioning coach role for the New Zealand Dance Company – our nation’s leading contemporary dance company. Her Master of Sport and Exercise from AUT has given her the perfect foundation for her role at the New Zealand Dance Company, says Erin.
Matthew Kritz
Great graduatesMatthew KritzSenior Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Performance, University of California San Diego
Co-Founder / Managing Director, Athlete Nation LLCDoctor of PhilosophyA passion for sport is what drives AUT sport and recreation alumnus Dr Matthew Kritz who has more than 20 years of experience in elite sport.A passion for sport is what drives AUT sport and recreation alumnus Dr Matthew Kritz who has more than 20 years of experience in elite sport and has worked with Olympic athletes from 21 different sports. He is proud of two decades of physically and mentally preparing athletes in both ground and water-based sports, Matthew says.
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