Phil Newman is Professor of Physiotherapy and Discipline Lead at the University of Canberra. His research focuses on injury risk prediction, biomechanics, and the translation of load-based metrics into clinically meaningful strategies for injury prevention and performance across sport and defence populations.

His work integrates wearable sensor technologies, musculoskeletal modelling (including OpenSim), and advanced analytical approaches such as machine learning and Bayesian methods to quantify mechanical load exposure and inform conditioning, rehabilitation, and operational decision-making.

He co-developed Headsense, a system of body-worn sensors that estimates spinal loading in military aircrew across rotary-wing and fast jet environments. This work has enabled quantification of real-world cervical spine loads during flight and informed new approaches to aligning conditioning with operational demands. It now underpins an active multinational collaboration spanning Finland, the UK, USA, Canada, and Belgium, focused on translating in-flight load data into evidence-based training and injury prevention strategies.

His broader research spans running-related injury (including medial tibial stress syndrome), neurosensory contributors to falls risk, and technology-enabled monitoring systems for injury prevention. He collaborates internationally across defence, sport, and academia, including work with Dylan Morrissey and colleagues at Queen Mary University of London on the development and global adaptation of Best Practice Guidelines for musculoskeletal conditions.

Phil supervises PhD and honours research across biomechanics, injury prediction, and technology-enabled monitoring in sport, performing arts, clinical, and defence settings, and is actively developing global research partnerships.

He has led the design and expansion of physiotherapy education programs over a 20 year period, including curriculum innovation and the development of advanced practice and specialist training pathways, with a focus on integrating research, clinical reasoning, and real-world decision-making.

He is a recognised Specialist Physiotherapist in research and is actively involved with the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Phil has over 30 years of clinical experience, has secured more than $4M in research funding, and has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers. He has received multiple awards for teaching, scholarship and research excellence.

He has supervised approximately 15 PhD and 20 honours students and holds additional leadership roles including Chair of Student Appeals, Chair of the Faculty Mentoring and Support Committee, member of the Applied Biomechanics Research Theme at UCRISE, and elected member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists Council.

He continues to practise clinically as a primary contact physiotherapist at the  University Clinic, maintaining strong integration between research, education, and patient care.

• Neck and Back pain in high performance jet pilots
• Dynamic contributions to joint stability in the knee
• Injury Prediction using machine learning methodologies
• Development of low-cost, 3D-printed prosthetic solutions for accessible rehabilitation technologies

ResearchGate page: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Phil_Newman

Research Institute page: http://www.canberra.edu.au/research/institutes/ucrise