The Sports Engineering Podcast

In this special ISEA26 episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we sit down with the conference's three keynote speakers: Cynthia Bir, John McPhee, and Matt Pringle. We delve into their keynote topics and discuss the research, innovations, and experiences that have influenced their work.

In this special edition of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we explore the history of the International Sports Engineering Association (ISEA) and the conferences that helped shape the field over the last few decades. Joined by former ISEA president, Dr Jono Shepherd and the organiser of the most recent conference Prof. Steph Forrester, we look back at how sports engineering evolved from a niche are...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast Off The Clock , we take a look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and review some of the newly released kit designs from a range of manufacturers. From bold redesigns to modern takes on classic looks, we discuss our favourites, the biggest surprises, and which nations have absolutely nailed it ahead of the tournament.

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we sit down with Professor Christina Chase, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the MIT Sports Lab, to explore the evolving role of data and technology in sport. From building automated event detection systems with FIFA to quantifying performance in subjective sports like skateboarding and BMX, we discuss how engineering is reshaping the way sport...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we break down Formula One’s huge 2026 rule changes and what they could mean for the future of racing. We cover their 50/50 split between electric and combustion power, lighter chassis, new overtaking systems, sustainable fuels, and major manufacturers like Ford Motor Company, Audi, Honda and Cadillac entering the sport. Why Formula One is undergoi...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we’re joined by International Sports Engineering Association (ISEA) President Professor Lloyd Smith to preview the upcoming ISEA 2026 Conference in Washington State (June 1st-4th). We break down what the conference is, why it matters in the world of sports engineering, and what attendees can expect, from key themes like equipment, biomechanics, an...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we go Off the Clock again this week to explore the new face of sports gear, where engineering, data, and performance claims are starting to take centre stage over traditional athlete endorsements. We unpack how consumers are becoming more informed and more focused on what products actually do for them. As technology becomes the story, we discuss w...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we sit down with Professor Manish Tewari and Dr. Lulu Xu to explore how nature is inspiring the next generation of smart textiles. We cover the fields inspiration from butterfly wings and lotus leaves and dive into how tiny structures can unlock huge performance gains. We discuss how textiles are evolving from passive materials into active systems...

In this Off the Clock episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast , we explore how technology is transforming the way we watch sport and why fans might be ready for more control. When you consider augmented reality overlays, virtual advertising, evolving camera systems and advanced performance stats, modern broadcasts are more engineered than ever. But with so much happening on screen, are we actual...

In this special episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we revisit one big question: What is the future of sports engineering? This time, we bring together the voices of our next 13 incredible guests, each offering their own perspective on where the field is heading. It’s fascinating to hear how different backgrounds, industries, and experiences lead to both shared themes and completely unique...

In this episode, we explore the idea that modern sports technology is often designed for elite athletes but marketed to everyone. Many recreational athletes are using the same innovations as the pros, but are they actually benefiting from them? We discuss whether the culture of “all the gear, no idea” says more about marketing than performance.

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we speak with Dr Will Dawber, a Research Associate at Imperial College London’s Head Lab, about how engineers study brain injury and what that means for helmet design, road safety, and beyond. From testing riot police helmets to modelling child brain injury in cycling crashes, Will explains how biomechanics, simulations, and impact testing are hel...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we go a little off the clock and rewind to where it all started. We reflect on the experiences that shaped us long before sports engineering did. We talk team culture, referees, leadership, unforgettable coaches, attitude over talent, and the lessons sport teaches you that can’t always be measured. A slightly more personal one this week, but one t...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Matt Head to explore the world of performance footwear design and the engineering innovation behind the shoes we run in. We cover the world of design and brand heritage and Matt shares insights from his experience at brands including HOKA, The North Face, inov8, and Reebok. We discuss how running shoes have evolved from stirrup-inspired designs to modern carbo...

In this Off the Clock episode, we dive into the controversial return of the Battle of the Sexes and unpack the 2025 showdown. We delve into the debate about rule ammendments including the 9% court size reduction, single-serve rules and the tie-break finale format, we explore the science, strategy, and psychology behind the amendments and ask the bigger question: is fairness in sport about equal ru...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we spokewith Dr Tom Allen, Reader in Mechanical Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University, about the realities of developing safety standards in sport and what it really takes to create meaningful change. We discuss the slow and oftencomplex process of updating standards and the varied perspectives of academics, industry, and governing bod...

In this Off the Clock episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we turn our attention to the Winter Olympics and the question of who actually gets to take part. We discuss why winter sports are so heavily dependent on technology and facilities, how medal tables highlight a concentration of success in a small number of countries, and whether artificial venues, shared infrastructure, or alternative...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast, we’re joined by Ben and Marta, co-founders of NUINO, to explore sustainability in sports footwear and why the industry’s focus on end-of-life solutions may be missing a crucial step. Drawing on their experience in elite footwear development,manufacturing, and repair, they unpack how modern shoes are built, why they fail, and what happens when recy...

In this Off the Clock episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast , we attempt to wrap up 2025 by reflecting on the sports engineering innovations that defined the year. From electronic line calling in tennis and emerging safety tech like airbag helmets and Guardian Caps, to smart eyewear, and automated officiating, while also debating where technology helped, where it frustrated fans, and what brea...

In this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast to kick off the new year, we're joined by Dr. Mike Sonne, pitching scientist for the Chicago Cubs, to explore how biomechanics and workload science are changing modern baseball. Mike breaks down fatigue units, the limits of pitch counts, and why today’s game has moved beyond the iconoc 'Moneyball' film into a new era of performance-focu...

If you want to get angry at us this is the episode to do it. In this one, we join forces to come up with some rule changes to some of the most loved sports in the world. Consider this our formal apology in advance...

On this episode of The Sports Engineering Podcast , we wrap up the year with Dr Janie Cournoyer by delving into one of the most challenging problems in sports medicine: diagnosing head injuries. We explore why concussions are so difficult to identify, measure, and manage, and unpack how the brain’s ability to compensate complicates both diagnosis and decision-making. We discuss how engineers and c...

In this Off the Clock episode we dive into the topic of footballs. In light of the new World Cup ball release, we debate whether footballs have favoured strikers over goalkeepers, if men’s and women’s tournaments should use the same ball, and how weather, altitude, and smart technology can give us a lot to talk about...

This week on The Sports Engineering Podcast, we sit down with Associate Professor of Orthopaedics Dr. Katie Rizzone to explore one of the most overlooked yet essential pieces of sports equipment: the sports bra. From the chaos of inconsistent sizing and runaway bra pads to the deeper engineering challenges behind product development, Katie brings an honest clinical perspective shaped by daily pati...

In this Off the Clock we head over to Canada (virtually) where the CFL is rolling out major rule changes, and fans aren’t sure what to make of it. We explore whether these shifts actually help the sport, or simply tamper with tradition, and look at other games that have reinvented themselves...for better or worse.