Heriot-Watt Professor appointed Editor-in-Chief of Sports Engineering journal
Professor Bert Blocken of Heriot-Watt's School of Engineering and Physical Sciences has been appointed the new Editor-in-Chief of Sports Engineering, the official journal of the International Sports Engineering Association (ISEA).
An internationally recognised expert in aerodynamics and sports engineering, Professor Blocken has been closely involved with the journal for a number of years. He has served as an Associate Editor since May 2019, having previously been a member of the editorial board.
The appointment marks a significant milestone for both Professor Blocken and Heriot-Watt University, further strengthening the University's reputation for world-leading research in engineering and sports performance.
I am honoured to have been elected to the role of Editor-in-Chief of Sports Engineering. Having served as an Associate Editor since 2019, I have seen first-hand the important role the journal plays in advancing research and innovation across the sports engineering community. I am privileged to build further on the excellent work of previous Editors-in-Chief Professor Lloyd Smith and Dr Tom Allen, under whom I served.
As Editor-in-Chief, Professor Blocken will oversee the journal's editorial operations, including managing manuscript submissions and peer review processes, leading the Associate and Assistant Editors, working closely with publisher Springer Nature, and setting the strategic direction of the journal. He will also provide updates and engagement with the ISEA Executive Committee, editorial board and wider sports engineering community.
Looking ahead, Professor Blocken hopes to further expand the journal's influence and impact across the global research community.
"My main aspirations are to further increase the global reach of the journal, encouraging greater diversity, international interaction and collaboration across the field. I also hope to reduce reviewing times, increase the number of high-impact publications, including invited review and position papers, and further grow the journal's readership and impact factor.
"Sports engineering is a rapidly evolving field with real-world impact across elite and grassroots sport. I look forward to working with researchers, reviewers and the editorial team to continue advancing the journal and supporting excellence in sports engineering research."
The appointment reflects Professor Blocken's longstanding contributions to sports engineering research, including his work on cycling aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing and computational modelling, which has supported athletes and teams competing at the highest levels of international sport.
Founded in 1998, Sports Engineering is the leading journal dedicated to research and innovation at the intersection of engineering, technology and sport. The publication provides a platform for academics, industry partners and sporting organisations to share advances aimed at improving sporting performance, equipment, facilities and athlete experience.
As Editor-in-Chief, Professor Blocken will help shape the journal's future development while supporting the continued growth of the global sports engineering community.
Sports Engineering is the official journal of the International Sports Engineering Association (ISEA) and is published by Springer Nature. The journal publishes research and innovation at the intersection of engineering, technology and sport, covering topics including sports equipment, facilities, athlete performance and sports technology.
For more information about the journal, visit: https://link.springer.com/journal/12283