Dr Elisabeth Williams

Senior Lecturer

Sport and Exercise Sciences

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Basic Welsh Speaker

Academic Office - A119
First Floor
Engineering East
Bay Campus

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8422-5842

About

Dr Williams’ current research interests lie in head impact biomechanics in contact sports, with a particular focus on female athletes and rugby union. Current projects include the quantification of head impact magnitudes using instrumented mouthguards to develop effective training strategies for the promotion of athlete wellbeing. She is a co-founder of a traumatic brain injury research network and principle investigator of the 2020 Women’s Rugby Union Global Survey, which received almost 2000 responses from 62 countries, in nine languages. Dr Williams was the scientific lead in the development of an instrumented mouthguard for rugby union, which is now being used commercially. Her research background is in forensic science research, focusing on the biomechanical aspects of crime scene reconstruction in relation to bloodstain pattern analysis.

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Taught modules:

SR-254 Technology and Innovation in Injury Mechanics
EG-238 Experimental Studies for Medical Engineers
SR-252 Employability, Innovation & Engagement
SR-142 Biomechanics and Technology 1

Research

Publications

Research Highlights

Williams, E., Petrie, F., Pennington, T., Powell, D., Arora, H., Mackintosh, K., Greybe, D., Powell, D., & Greybe, D. (2021). Sex differences in neck strength and head impact kinematics in university rugby union players. European Journal of Sport Science, 22(11), 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1973573, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57677
Wright, F., Docherty, P., Williams, E., Greybe, D., Arora, H., & Kabaliuk, N. (2021). An in-silico study of the effect of non-linear skin dynamics on skin-mounted accelerometer inference of skull motion. Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 70, 102986
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bspc.2021.102986, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57618
Williams, E., Graham, E., Jermy, M., Kieser, D., & Taylor, M. (2018). The Dynamics of Blood Drop Release from Swinging Objects in the Creation of Cast-off Bloodstain Patterns. Journal of Forensic Sciences
https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13855, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40975
Kabaliuk, N., Jermy, M., Williams, E., Laber, T., & Taylor, M. (2014). Experimental validation of a numerical model for predicting the trajectory of blood drops in typical crime scene conditions, including droplet deformation and breakup, with a study of the effect of indoor air currents and wind on typical spatter drop trajectories. Forensic Science International, 245, 107-120.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.020, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32277
Greybe, D., Jones, C., Brown, R., & Williams, E. (2020). Comparison of head impact measurements via an instrumented mouthguard and an anthropometric testing device. Sports Engineering, 23(1)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-020-00324-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54405
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12283-020-00324-z
Williams, E., Dodds, M., Taylor, M., Li, J., & Michielsen, S. (2016). Impact dynamics of porcine drip bloodstains on fabrics. Forensic Science International, 262, 66-72.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.02.037, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32280

All Research

Journal Articles

Mears, A., Williams, E., Kong, P., Wood, P., Brubacher, K., & Allen, T. (2024). Towards inclusive sports engineering research: considerations of research methods. Sports Engineering, 27
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-024-00472-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67878
Petrie, F., Mackintosh, K., Starbuck, C., Williams, E., & McNarry, M. (2024). Concussion response and recovery in men and women’s rugby union: A reflexive thematic analysis of player interviews. PLOS ONE, 19(4), e0296646
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0296646, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65696
Petrie, F., Williams, E., Mackintosh, K., Starbuck, C., & McNarry, M. (2024). Assessing the feasibility of a neck‐strength training intervention in university women's rugby. European Journal of Sport Science, 24(4), 466-473.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12028, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63527
Powell, D., Petrie, F., Docherty, P., Arora, H., Williams, E., & Powell, D. (2023). Development of a Head Acceleration Event Classification Algorithm for Female Rugby Union. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 51(6), 1322-1330.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10439-023-03138-9, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62386
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10439-023-03138-9
Brown, N., Williams, G., Stodter, A., McNarry, M., Roldan-Reoyo, O., Mackintosh, K., Moore, I., Williams, E., & Roldan Reoyo, O. (2023). A Global Women’s Rugby Union Web-Based Survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(8), 5475
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085475, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63116
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085475
Williams, E., Petrie, F., Pennington, T., Powell, D., Arora, H., Mackintosh, K., Greybe, D., Powell, D., & Greybe, D. (2021). Sex differences in neck strength and head impact kinematics in university rugby union players. European Journal of Sport Science, 22(11), 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1973573, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57677
Wright, F., Docherty, P., Williams, E., Greybe, D., Arora, H., & Kabaliuk, N. (2021). An in-silico study of the effect of non-linear skin dynamics on skin-mounted accelerometer inference of skull motion. Biomedical Signal Processing and Control, 70, 102986
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bspc.2021.102986, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa57618
Greybe, D., Jones, C., Brown, R., & Williams, E. (2020). Comparison of head impact measurements via an instrumented mouthguard and an anthropometric testing device. Sports Engineering, 23(1)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-020-00324-z, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54405
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12283-020-00324-z
Williams, E., Graham, E., Jermy, M., Kieser, D., & Taylor, M. (2018). The Dynamics of Blood Drop Release from Swinging Objects in the Creation of Cast-off Bloodstain Patterns. Journal of Forensic Sciences
https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13855, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40975
Williams, E., Dodds, M., Taylor, M., Li, J., & Michielsen, S. (2016). Impact dynamics of porcine drip bloodstains on fabrics. Forensic Science International, 262, 66-72.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.02.037, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32280
Kabaliuk, N., Jermy, M., Williams, E., Laber, T., & Taylor, M. (2014). Experimental validation of a numerical model for predicting the trajectory of blood drops in typical crime scene conditions, including droplet deformation and breakup, with a study of the effect of indoor air currents and wind on typical spatter drop trajectories. Forensic Science International, 245, 107-120.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.020, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32277
Kabaliuk, N., Jermy, M., Morison, K., Stotesbury, T., Taylor, M., Williams, E., & Williams, E. (2013). Blood drop size in passive dripping from weapons. Forensic Science International, 228(1-3), 75-82.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.02.023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32279
Brown, N., Roldan Reoyo, O., Williams, G., Stodter, A., Moore, I., Mackintosh, K., McNarry, M., & Williams, E. (n.d.) Profiling Hormonal Contraceptive Use and Perceived Impact on Training and Performance in a Global Sample of Women Rugby Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 18(9), 1-7.
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2023-0137, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63549
http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2023-0137

Supervision

An Investigation of the Biomechanical and Social Influences of Head-Acceleration Events, and Concussion Management in Women’s Rugby (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Mr David Graham-Woollard

Other supervisor: Prof Melitta Mcnarry
Instrumented Mouthguards: Advancing the Functionality and Reliability (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Hari Arora

Other supervisor: Dr Desney Greybe
The Effects of a Rugby Season on Neck Strength in Professional Men’s Rugby Union (awarded 2024)

MSc

Other supervisor: Prof Melitta Mcnarry
The Feasibility of a Novel Neck Strength Testing Protocol in Professional Men’s Rugby Union (awarded 2024)

MSc

Other supervisor: Dr Hari Arora

Other supervisor: Mr David Graham-Woollard
Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players (awarded 2024)

MSc

Other supervisor: Dr Hari Arora
Evaluation of Injury Nature, Frequency, Mechanism and Population Demographics from a Global Women's Rugby Survey (awarded 2024)

MSc

Other supervisor: Prof Melitta Mcnarry

Other supervisor: Mr David Graham-Woollard

Taught Modules

EG-238 Experimental Studies for Medical Engineers

The course introduces the students to experimental studies in a wide range of subjects. Each experiment is self contained and the student will present the findings in written form through a lab report which will have a set of experiment specific questions to answer. This written report also forms the basis for the assessment. All students work in groups and carry out five experiments which vary according to discipline, however the assignments are all individually submitted. The students keep a log-book of the experimental observations and results, which is used for reference for the technical report from each experiment written-up in the week after the experiment.
SR-142 Introduction to Biomechanics 1

The purpose of the module is to introduce and develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mechanical concepts and principles that underlie human movement. The module introduces the study of kinematics.
SR-254 Technology and Innovation in Injury Mechanics

Students will gain a conceptual understanding of tissue adaptation to external load, the mechanics of injury for various human movements and how to measure relevant biomechanical parameters, with a focus on human gait. Students will gain practical skills in the operation of lab-based and wearable technology motion analysis systems. Students will develop critical evaluation skills to assess the validity of wearable technology systems used in motion analysis.

Publication Highlights

Journal Articles

Greybe, D. G., Jones, C. M., Brown, M. R., & Williams, E. M. (2020). Comparison of head impact measurements via an instrumented mouthguard and an anthropometric testing device. Sports Engineering, 23, 1-11.

Williams, E. M., Graham, E. S., Jermy, M. C., Kieser, D. C., & Taylor, M. C. (2019). The dynamics of blood drop release from swinging objects in the creation of cast‐off bloodstain patterns. Journal of forensic sciences, 64(2), 413-421.

Williams, E. M., Dodds, M., Taylor, M. C., Li, J., & Michielsen, S. (2016). Impact dynamics of porcine drip bloodstains on fabrics. Forensic science international, 262, 66-72.

Kabaliuk, N., Jermy, M. C., Williams, E., Laber, T. L., & Taylor, M. C. (2014). Experimental validation of a numerical model for predicting the trajectory of blood drops in typical crime scene conditions, including droplet deformation and breakup, with a study of the effect of indoor air currents and wind on typical spatter drop trajectories. Forensic science international, 245, 107-120.

Kabaliuk, N., Jermy, M. C., Morison, K., Stotesbury, T., Taylor, M. C., & Williams, E. (2013). Blood drop size in passive dripping from weapons. Forensic science international, 228(1-3), 75-82.

Williams, Elisabeth & Taylor, Michael (2013) The Development and Construction of a Motorized Blood Droplet Generation Device (BDGD) Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Vol. 29, No. 1

Williams, Elisabeth, Eric Neumann, Michael Taylor (2012) Development of a Passive, Closed-System Pig Blood Collection System Apparatus for Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Research and Crime Scene Reconstruction, Journal of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Vol 28, No 2.

Conference Proceedings

Williams, E., Jones, C., Greybe, D., Brown, M. R., (2019) Head Impact Telemetry in Non-Helmeted Collision Sports: 24th Annual ECSS Congress Prague, July 3-6 2019
Williams, E., Jones, C., Greybe, D., Brown, M. R., (2019) Development of a Novel Head Impact Telemetry System for Non-Helmeted Collision Sports. European Society of Biomechanics Symposium, Vienna, Austria, July 7-10 2019
Williams, Elisabeth (2017) Look a-head to long term brain health and wellbeing in Rugby Union. Wales Exercise Medicine Symposium, Cardiff 2017
Williams, Elisabeth and Eugene Liscio (2016) Can we really do this? 3D crime scene reconstruction using bloodstains, biomechanics and avatars. Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) Symposium, Auckland, New Zealand
Williams, Elisabeth, Michael Taylor, Therese de Castro and Margaret Dodds (2016) Blood and fabric interaction under the slow-motion microscope. Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) Symposium, Auckland, New Zealand
Williams, Elisabeth, Margaret Dodds and Michael Taylor (2015) Fifty Shades of Blood: The Fundamentals of Blood and Fabric Interaction Under the Slow Motion Microscope. International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA) Annual Symposium, Fort Worth, Texas.
Williams, Elisabeth., Michael Taylor and Yanxin Zhang (2015) Gold on the Ceiling: Utilizing Bloodstain Cast-Off Patterns to Derive Weapon Trajectory and Assailant Biomechanics. European Academy of Forensic Science Symposium, Prague, Czech Republic.
Williams, Elisabeth and Michael Taylor (2014) Modeling the impact dynamics of small, upward travelling blood droplets, ANZFSS Symposium, Adelaide.
Williams, Elisabeth, Michael Taylor, Sharon Walt (2013) Man vs Machine: Combining blood fluid dynamics and 3D human biomechanics with cast-off pattern creation and reconstruction... in a cage. International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts Annual Symposium, San Diego, USA.
Williams, Elisabeth, Michael Taylor, Ken Morison, Eric Neumann, Patrick Geoghegan (2013) Standardizing blood physical properties: Implications for precision bloodstain pattern analysis research. International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts Annual Symposium, San Diego, USA.
Williams, Elisabeth (2012) Dan Rahn Grant Recipient Research Project – Motorized Blood Droplet Generation Device, IABPA Annual Symposium, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Williams, Elisabeth, Michael Taylor, Eric Neumann, Ken Morison (2012) Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and the Surrogate Pig: Close Enough or Just the Next Best Thing? Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science (ANZFSS) Symposium, Hobart, September 2012.
Williams, Elisabeth, Michael Taylor, Eric Neumann, Ken Morison, Mark Jermy (2012) Bloodstain Pattern Analysis and the Surrogate Pig: The Ideal Anticoagulant. Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science (ANZFSS) Symposium, Hobart, September 2012.
Williams, Elisabeth,. Sharon Walt, Michael Taylor and Douglas Elliot (2009) The Biomechanics of Blunt Force Trauma, International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysts (IABPA) Training Conference, Portland, Oregon, USA. October 2009.
Williams, Elisabeth, Sharon Walt, Michael Taylor and Douglas Elliot (2008) A 3-Dimensional Kinematic Analysis of Weapon End Trajectory and Movement Sequence in Simulated Blunt Force Trauma Situations, Australia and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS) Symposium, Melbourne, (Keynote Presentation).

Teaching continued

SR-254 Technology and Innovation in Injury Mechanics

Students will gain a conceptual understanding of tissue adaptation to external load, the mechanics of injury for various human movements and how to measure relevant biomechanical parameters, with a focus on human gait. Students will gain practical skills in the operation of lab-based and wearable technology motion analysis systems. Students will develop critical evaluation skills to assess the validity of wearable technology systems used in motion analysis.

EG-238 Experimental Studies for Medical Engineers

The course introduces the students to experimental studies in a wide range of subjects. Each experiment is self-contained and the student will present the findings in written form through a lab report which will have a set of experiment specific questions to answer. This written report also forms the basis for the assessment. All students work in groups and carry out five experiments which vary according to discipline; however, the assignments are all individually submitted. The students keep a log-book of the experimental observations and results, which is used for reference for the technical report from each experiment written-up in the week after the experiment.

SR-252 Employability, Innovation & Engagement

The module will be assignment-based allowing students to integrate key business skills to propose and plan an innovative project and articulate key employability skills. The module is supported by professionals from a SPEX background and is meant to improve the outlook and attitude of SPEX students in the areas of innovation, enterprise, entrepreneurship, and employability.

SR-142 Biomechanics and Technology 1

The purpose of the module is to introduce and develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental mechanical concepts and principles that underlie human movement.

Supervision

Accelerometery-Derived Pattern Recognition of Human Activities (current)
PhD
Other supervisor: Dr Hari Arora

Concussion in Women's Ice Hockey: Extent of Player, Coach and Medic Understanding and Investigation of Head Impact Dynamics and Exposure (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Kelly Mackintosh

Evaluation of injury nature, frequency, mechanism and population demographics from a global women's rugby survey (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Mr David Graham-Woollard
Other supervisor: Dr Melitta Mcnarry
Other supervisor: Dr Kelly Mackintosh

Mild traumatic brain injury in female rugby union players: the effect of contact technique on inertial loading of the head (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Melitta Mcnarry
Other supervisor: Dr Kelly Mackintosh

Head Acceleration in Men's University Rugby Union and the Effect of Neck Strength Training (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Melitta Mcnarry
Other supervisor: Dr Kelly Mackintosh

Neck Strength and Head Impact Magnitude in University Women's' Rugby Union (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Melitta Mcnarry
Other supervisor: Dr Kelly Mackintosh

Sex differences in head and neck size and strength, and their relationship with head acceleration in rugby union (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Melitta Mcnarry
Other supervisor: Dr Kelly Mackintosh

Validation of a Bespoke Instrumented Mouthguard (awarded 2021)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Desney Greybe

Neck strength and cervical range of motion in male and female rugby University Rugby union athletes (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Hari Arora

Investigating the effectiveness of a neck strengthening protocol on a professional rugby team (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Hari Arora
Other supervisor: Mr David Graham-Woollard

Measuring anthropometric characteristics and neck strength of collegiate and elite-level rugby union players (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Hari Arora
Other supervisor: Mr David Graham-Woollard

The Reported Effects of Menstrual Cycle on Concussion Incidence, Severity and Recovery from a Global Women’s Rugby Union Survey (current)
MSc
Other supervisor: Dr Melitta Mcnarry
Other supervisor: Dr Kelly Mackintosh

Dr Elisabeth Williams

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Research Links

About

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

An Investigation of the Biomechanical and Social Influences of Head-Acceleration Events, and Concussion Management in Women’s Rugby (awarded 2024)

Instrumented Mouthguards: Advancing the Functionality and Reliability (current)

The Effects of a Rugby Season on Neck Strength in Professional Men’s Rugby Union (awarded 2024)

The Feasibility of a Novel Neck Strength Testing Protocol in Professional Men’s Rugby Union (awarded 2024)

Neck Strength Profile Comparison of University and Professional Rugby Union Players (awarded 2024)

Evaluation of Injury Nature, Frequency, Mechanism and Population Demographics from a Global Women's Rugby Survey (awarded 2024)

EG-238 Experimental Studies for Medical Engineers

SR-142 Introduction to Biomechanics 1

SR-254 Technology and Innovation in Injury Mechanics