Professor Rob Copeland steps down as AWRC Director

Professor Rob Copeland has stepped down from his role as Director of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) after six years in post.

Appointed in April 2019, Rob became the AWRC’s inaugural Director at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park when the Centre opened its doors in January 2020. He established the Centre’s mission and innovative co-location model and provided strategic leadership that led to a rapidly expanding portfolio of research, innovation and knowledge exchange in physical activity, which grew to more than £50m in funded projects under his leadership.

A Professor of Physical Activity and Health and a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, Rob brought extensive expertise in public health, physical activity, and behaviour change interventions to the role, establishing the AWRC as a leading centre nationally and internally for physical activity-related research.

His influence is reflected in the AWRC’s significant portfolio of work in preventative health and community-centred wellbeing, which has gained both national and international recognition. Highlights of Rob’s tenure include:

Rob’s leadership has been defined by his commitment to community, collaboration and co‑production. His ambition to build a ‘coalition of the willing’ has shaped a unique model of co-location in which more than 200 Sheffield Hallam staff and students work together with partners from industry, education, healthcare, government and the community at the AWRC, tackling social and economic challenges through the lens of physical activity and human movement.

Reflecting on his tenure, Rob said: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead the AWRC since it opened its doors in 2020. I can’t emphasise how much I have enjoyed working alongside such talented researchers and brilliant professional services colleagues and members of the wider community.

“Over the last six years we have been true to our mission at the AWRC and genuinely transformed lives through innovations that help people move. I am so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of such an adventure.”

Rob has moved to new role as Team Manager for the Santa Cruz Syndicate, a professional mountain bike team based in California, reflecting his lifelong passion for cycling.

Rob will retain a fractional role as a Professor at Sheffield Hallam University.

The AWRC remains committed to delivering its current strategy, and the University plans to appoint a new Director in due course.

During the interim period, Associate Director Clare Boot will continue to provide strategic leadership, while Professor Neil Bricklebank, Associate Dean for Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange in the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences, will provide interim academic leadership and support.