We are delighted to announce that the University of Edinburgh has recognised a Moray House School of Education and Sport-based research network as its newest research centre. "World-leading research"The Edinburgh Sports Medicine Research Network (ESMRN) has been formally recognised as the University of Edinburgh's newest Research Centre. It is now known as the Edinburgh Sports Medicine Research Centre (ESMRC). The Centre is based within Moray House School of Education and Sport and led by Director Dr Debbie Palmer. Head of Moray House, Professor Carol Campbell, expressed, "I am delighted that the Edinburgh Sports Medicine Research Centre (ESMRC) has been established within Moray House School of Education and Sport. Achieving University of Edinburgh Centre status is a well-deserved recognition of the world-leading research being conducted by this group." Edinburgh Sports Medicine Research Centre (ESMRC) Over the past five years, ESMRC has evolved into a thriving research group and a leading research entity in Sport and Exercise Medicine in the UK, focused on sports injury, illness prevention and protecting athlete health. Its success was marked by a recent significant grant income, a growing number of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and a strong track record of high-impact publications. In just five short years, we have already established a strong track record for collaboration with local, national and international organisations and governing bodies of sport. Alongside building a reputation for excellence in research and attracting grant funding, we remain committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of sports injury and illness prevention researchers Dr Debbie Palmer Centre Director Centre of ExcellenceUnder the leadership of Dr Debbie Palmer (Moray House), alongside co-directors Dr Iain Murray (Edinburgh Orthopaedics) and Dr Andrew Murray (Edinburgh Sports Clinic), the Centre is dedicated to building on its strong foundations of collaborative sports medicine research. These actions span across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences within the University of Edinburgh, as well as nationally and internationally, aiming to develop ESMRC's global reputation as a Centre of Excellence in Sports Medicine research. Dr Palmer said, “We support research career development for sports medicine practitioners and provide critical research opportunities for our exceptional early career researchers - all in the pursuit of protecting and improving athlete health. We are proud to be recognised within the University and to contribute to its vibrant and exceptional research community.”Continued collaborationsIn addition to this recognition, ESMRC continues to be an accredited International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centre, in partnership with the University of Bath. Known as the UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (UKCCIIS), this Edinburgh-Bath collaboration is the only IOC-funded research centre in the UK and one of just 11 globally. Professor Campbell said, "ESMRC enhances our national and international reputation as a leader in sports injury and illness prevention research. Most notably, under the auspices of the UK Collaborating Centre on Injury and Illness Prevention in Sport (UKCCIIS), ESMRC was recently awarded IOC Research Centre status by the International Olympic Committee. This designation, shared with the University of Bath and led by Dr Debbie Palmer, confirms the University of Edinburgh's role as the lead institution within one of only 11 such centres globally, and the only UK IOC Centre."The Centre is focused on advancing research to protect and promote athlete health at all levels of sport. We look forward to the continued impact of their research on future athletes.Related information:Edinburgh Sports Medicine Research Centre (ESMRC)International Olympic CommitteEdinburgh Sports ClinicDr Debbie Palmer Tags Celebrations and ceremonies Research centres, groups and networks Sport and physical activity Research news Publication date 24 Jul, 2025
