Doctor Honoris Causa
of the Józef Piłsudski Academy
of Physical Education in Warsaw
2003

Professor Adrian Lees

Professor Adrian Lees was born on 4th June 1951 in Bristol, England. He is a graduate of Leeds University where he obtained his Bachelors degree in Physics (1972) and his PhD in Biomechanics (1977). After a brief period of teaching Physical Education in schools and training college he began his lecturing career at Liverpool Polytechnic, now Liverpool John Moores University. He has been involved in teaching and research in biomechanics at all levels of study and was appointed as Professor in 1995. He now holds the position of Deputy Director of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences. He has published widely in the field of sports biomechanics with over 200 authored papers and articles. He is a Fellow of the British Association for Sport and Exercise Sciences, and a Fellow of the European College of Sports Sciences. Professor Lees has been actively engaged in sports research for many years and since 1993 has been a member of the World Commission of Science and Sports, an organisation which operates under the auspices of the International Council for Sports Science and Physical Education. In this role he chairs the Science and Racket Sports committee and has initiated a series of 3 World Congresses in Science and Racket Sports (1993, 1997 and 2003). The peer reviewed papers from these congresses are published as authored texts. He has recently had published a major review of racket sports in the Journal of Sports Sciences. He has also contributed to the organisation and administration of other World Commission congresses, notably Science and Football which originated in Liverpool in 1987. Professor Lees has also worked closely with other sports and particularly with track and field athletics. He has directed the scientific support programme which has aided UK National and International long and triple jump athletes. This programme has been successful in generating two world record holders. This programme has recently been extended to encompass disabled athletes and has a particular focus on field events. Professor Lees has closely co-operated for several years with Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw and has attended many national and International conferences held at the Academy. Joint research projects have taken place over the years and there has been a fruitful exchange of doctoral students.