I am a postgraduate research student in the department of Sport and Exercise Sciences with a keen interest in movement science. I completed my BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Chester and then received my MSc Sport and Clinical Biomechanics with distinction from Liverpool John Moores University. I am currently working full-time as a PhD researcher at LJMU after being granted an LJMU-VC PhD Scholarship.
My PhD project is investigating the causes and mechanisms of falls in children with cerebral palsy. The project intends to use both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate fall risk in children with cerebral palsy, in collaboration with both Edge Hill University and Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
I have additionally taken on a role as a teaching support officer at LJMU. This involves providing biomechanics support and running lab demonstrations for undergraduate students.
PhD project title: Determining the causes and mechanisms of falls in children with cerebral palsy.
Supervisory Team: Dr Richard Foster, Dr Tom O'Brien, Professor Bernie Carter, Professor Gabor Barton, Mr David Wright.
Degrees
2020, Liverpool John Moores University, England, MSc, Sport and Clinical Biomechanics
2018, University of Chester, England, BSc, Sport and Exercise Sciences
Certifications
Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Journal article
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. 2024. Children with cerebral palsy avoid stepping in potholes with mediolateral changes in foot placement that cause laterally instability Gait & Posture, 113 :242-243 DOI Publisher Url
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. 2023. Designing a novel protocol to investigate mechanisms of falls in children with cerebral palsy, informed by lived experiences Gait & Posture, 106 :S218-S219 DOI Publisher Url
Conference publication
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. 2023. “I’d go slow and hope I don’t fall” Exploring lived experiences of children with cerebral palsy walking in challenging environments Gait & Posture, 106 :S219-S220 DOI Publisher Url
Walker R, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. Do challenging walking environments contribute to increased fall risk in children with cerebral palsy? A narrative review Gait & Posture, 90 :304-305 DOI Publisher Url
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. How children with cerebral palsy and their parents helped co-design ‘The Walk-Along Project’ protocol to investigate causes of daily falls Gait & Posture, 97 :S268-S269 DOI Publisher Url
Other
Bailey H, O'Brien TD, Walker RL, Barton GJ, Bass A, Wright DM, Pinzone O, Greaves H, Foster RJ. 2021. Children with cerebral palsy exhibit a cautious approach to lateral stability throughout single limb support during a targeted stepping task Gait & Posture, 90 :13-14 DOI Publisher Url