Centre for Improvement of Health and Wellbeing
Centre for Improvement of Health and Wellbeing
Welcome to the Centre for Improvement of Health and Wellbeing (CIHW).
CIHW brings together a wide range of multidisciplinary researchers, especially in the fields of psychology, sport and physical activity, health, and social care. Our centre is dedicated to applied, impactful research, which benefits industry and the local and regional communities.
Featured Project
The role of the human-horse relationship on performance and welfare outcomes in equestrian sport and activities.
Lauren Tufton鈥檚 highly original and potentially very significant research aims to extend our understanding of the human-horse relationship for improved performances in equestrian sport and also for the wellbeing of the horse. The majority of existing literature in equitation science focuses on learning theory and a behavioural approach to working with horses, whereas Lauren鈥檚 research explores the influence of all of the relational constructs (feelings, thoughts, and behaviours), which underpin our interactions with the horse. Lauren has explored how elite riders understand their relationships with the horse and the importance that they place on it and she is now researching the coach鈥檚 role in developing human-horse relationships, aiming to provide a working framework for use in equestrian sport.
Publications relating the project:
Tufton, L. R., & Jowett, S. (2021). The elusive 鈥渇eel鈥: exploring the quality of the rider鈥揾orse relationship. 础苍迟丑谤辞锄辞枚蝉, 34(2), 233-250.
Tufton, L. R., Kentzer, N., & Kingsley, B. E. (2023). The Human鈥揌orse Relationship: Human Direct and Meta Perceptions of Its Importance for Performance and Welfare in Equestrian Sport. 础苍迟丑谤辞锄辞枚蝉, 1-18.
For more information about this project, please contact Lauren Tufton (lauren.tufton@bnu.ac.uk).
Research Groups
The Centre for Improvement of Health and Wellbeing (CIHW) is comprised of four primary research groups whose remit is to develop a sustainable thread of impactful research, which is driven by the end-user to provide real-world benefits for industry and the community. Click on the links for more information about each research group, including their members, contact details, current and past projects, and list of research outputs.
PhD Opportunities
CIHW welcomes applications from PhD candidates with an interest in carrying out original research, which reflects the mission and values of any of its Research Groups. Fee waivers or Vice Chancellor鈥檚 Studentships may be available for exceptional projects that have the potential to enhance the reputation of CIHW and its Research Groups and to make significant contributions to industry or the community.
For more information about postgraduate study at BNU, including the Vice Chancellor鈥檚 Studentships and the application process, visit our Graduate School page.
- Senior Lecturer
- Lecturer
- Senior Lecturer
- Associate Professor
- Lecturer
- Senior Lecturer
- Associate Professor
- Lecturer
- Lecturer
- Senior Lecturer
- Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education)
- Senior Lecturer
- Lecturer
- Senior Lecturer
- Senior Lecturer
- Associate Professor
- Course Leader for MSc Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education
- Senior Lecturer
- Associate Lecturer
- Senior Research Assistant
- Technician
- Visiting Professor
Contact Us
For more information about the Centre for Improvement of Health and Wellbeing, please contact Dr Ben Clayton (ben.clayton@bnu.ac.uk).