Leon Campbell PhD, Health Sciences

PhD student

Project title: The use of meditative movement practices for patients with long-term neuromuscular pathology within outpatient physiotherapy

Southampton is an exceptional institution to begin a career as a researcher. Being part of the Faculty of Environmental Life Sciences and the Long-Term Conditions research group, I feel supported and receive encouragement from not just my supervisors and faculty, but the wider research community at the University.

I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Therapy from London Metropolitan University in 2012. I then undertook a two-year Master's program in physiotherapy, graduating from the University of East Anglia in 2015. The following eight years were spent building a career as a physiotherapist that spanned work in the UK and New Zealand. I progressed from being a rotational Band 5 in the NHS to a Lead Physiotherapist for one of New Zealand’s largest private musculoskeletal physiotherapy providers.

The foundation of my professional journey has been significantly influenced by a lifelong immersion in martial arts, commencing at the age of six. The discipline and commitment inherent in these Eastern practices have invariably informed my physiotherapy approach. Therefore, my integration of healing and exercise philosophies, encompassing disciplines such as yoga, qigong, somatics, pilates, and acupuncture, have become intrinsic to both my professional practice and personal ethos. My interests extend to indigenous practices, energy healing, and complementary therapies, including reiki, breathwork, and meditation.

I am fortunate that I can combine my passions for Western rehabilitation and Eastern healing techniques in my PhD. My research looks at how UK healthcare can best utilise mind-body exercise as an intervention for people with long-term conditions from underserved communities.

I feel honoured to have received a Black Futures scholarship, which does not merely represent a financial support mechanism, but a commitment to community service and the amelioration of those facing disadvantages. I embrace this responsibility and am excited to develop as a researcher, alongside my peers who share a collective vision for transformative change.

Southampton is an exceptional institution to begin a career as a researcher. Being part of the Faculty of Environmental Life Sciences and the Long-Term Conditions research group, I feel supported and receive encouragement from not just my supervisors and faculty, but the wider research community at the University.

If you have a passion for a subject and the drive to help others, a Black Futures scholarship could be the springboard to help you achieve your dreams.