Biography
Dr Tom Campbell BSc (Hons), PhD, FHEA, is an Associate Professor in sport and exercise science and sustainability theme lead at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland.
Tom gained a first-class degree in Sport and Exercise at Edinburgh Napier University before completing his PhD on the topic of Applied Ergonomics. Tom became a lecturer in 2015 and within a year of this post had developed the first fully online degree programme within the School of Applied Sciences. Drawing upon his expertise in psychophysiology and stress, Tom developed several modules to apply these principles in connecting the worlds of elite sport and business. During this period Tom developed an international profile within the area of dual careers and was personally invited to form part of a pan-European team of experts developing a novel education for elite athletes, funded by the Erasmus+ scheme. Tom also secured TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) accreditation for the University and ENU remain the only Scottish University to hold this accreditation.
While Tom continues to lead the BA Business and Enterprise in Sport programme and to support dual career athletes, the focus of his applied work currently centres around supporting and promoting enterprise within the mountain biking sector. Embedded within the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland (MTBCOS), hosted by ENU, with a remit to provide consultancy and research to the cycling industry in Scotland and throughout the world. Tom has supported several new and established businesses to develop and launch new products and services within the cycling sector and has provided expert consultancy to Scottish Cycling and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland.
Tom holds the position of sustainability theme lead within MTBCOS and is recognised internationally as an expert on sustainable mountain bike trails [and education]. Tom acts as an expert member for both the International Mountain Bike Association and Cycle Industries Europe and has membership of the Scottish Bike Network. Tom successfully led the university’s involvement in the Erasmus+ funded DIRTT: Developing Intereuropean resources for trail builder training programme from 2019-2022, a project which has revolutionised the approach to educating and training trail builders across Europe. Drawing upon his expertise in applied research design Tom embedded robust research within the project and has produced both industry reports and academic outputs to inform and underpin the educational framework. The impact of this work was significant, leading to changes for practice and an increased professionalism within the sector.
Tom has been interviewed by or had his work promoted in numerous outlets including ITV news, Edinburgh Evening News, Edinburgh North, PinkBike, Peak District Mountain Bike Association, International Mountain Bike Association, Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, Heart of Midlothian Football club website.