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Staff Profile

Dr Daniel Eaves

Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise

Background

My academic interest is in the study of human movement, particularly the interplay between perception and action, across the disciplines of Sport and Exercise, Psychology, and Neuroscience.

I completed my BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Beckett University (2001), before my MRes in Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool John Moores University (2003).

I was awarded my PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Lancaster University (2015). For my PhD, I studied the impact of mental practice (combined action observation and motor imagery) on biomechanical and neurophysiological measures (EEG). I attended several PhD training programmes on perception and action: from brain to behaviour (University College London; Radboud University, Holland; Institute of Cognitive Sciences, Lyon; University of Bern, Switzerland).

I am a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Psychologist within the British Psychological Society.

I am one of four academics who co-lead an international research collaboration called the Research in Imagery and Observation (RIO) Group (https://riogroup.weebly.com).

I was previously employed in the School of Health and Life Sciences at Teesside University, where I developed and led the BSc and MSci Sport & Exercise Science degrees. As a senior lecturer, I created and led modules at all levels across the undergraduate and postgraduate provision. I contributed to several committees, such as the REF steering group, and I was elected as co-chair for the University Early Career Researcher Forum. I also delivered an MSc module titled ‘Motor Control and Learning’ at Sheffield Hallam University (2012).

Research

I research how the human brain controls movement. I’m interested in questions, such as: ‘when we see the movements of other people, how do we integrate this visual information into our own motor repertoire to imitate their actions?’ …And: ‘when we imagine performing human movements, what neurophysiological changes occur in the brain, and how can these changes improve our future actions.’

I typically use motion capture technology and neuroscience research methods, such as EEG, TMS, fNIRS to explore the relationship between brain and behaviour.

I use my fundamental research into brain function to inform my applied research. In my applied work, I examine how mental practice can improve movement skills in sports and rehabilitation, for example, in chronic stroke survivors, adults with depression, and children with motor impairments.

I have supervised several PhD students to completion, and I am currently supervising PhD students. I have also examined PhD students around the world (Australia, Ireland, Canada, Wales and in the UK).

I always welcome expressions of interest to collaborate on research – please feel free to get in touch.


Teaching

I currently lead the following undergraduate modules:

  • Introduction to Biomechanics (SES1003) Stage 1
  • Career Development for Sports and Exercise Scientists (SES3006) Stage 3
Publications

  • Articles

    • Binks JA, Kenny RPW, van Schaik P, Wilson CJ, Lin D, Binks TJ, Eaves DL. . International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2025, epub ahead of print.
    • Chesterton P, Tears C, Richardson M, Emery C, Eaves DL. . Disability and Rehabilitation 2025, 47(24), 6508-6515.
    • Lin D, Eaves DL, Gibbons T, Aquino MRJ, Edwards MGE, Poliakoff E, Bek J, Emerson JR. . Neuropsychological Rehabilitation 2025, epub ahead of print.
    • Lin D, Eaves DL, Franklin JD, Robinson J, Binks JA, Emerson JR. . Frontiers in Neurology 2025, 16, 1567421.
    • Moreno-Verdú M, Hamoline G, Van Caenegem EE, Waltzing BM, Forest S, Chembila-Valappil A, Khan AH, Chye S, Esselaar M, Campbell M, McAllister C, Kraeutner SN, Poliakoff E, Frank C, Eaves DL, Wakefield C, Boe S, Holmes PS, Bruton A, Vogt S, Wright D, Hardwick R. . Neuropsychologia 2024, 192, 108733.
    • Binks JA, Wilson CL, Van Schaik P, Eaves D. . Psychology of Sport and Exercise 2023, 68, 102468.
    • Frank C, Hülsmann F, Waltemate T, Wright DJ, Eaves DL, Bruton A, Botsch M, Schack T. . International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2023, 21(3), 401-427.
    • Binks JA, Emerson JR, Scott MW, Wilson C, VanSchaik P, Eaves DL. . Frontiers in Neurology 2023, 14, 1097422.
    • Laas MM, Wright MD, McLaren SJ, Portas MD, Parkin G, Eaves DL. . The Journal of Sport and Exercise Science 2023, 7(3), 10-18.
    • Emerson JR, Scott MW, vanSchaik P, Butcher N, Kenny RPW, Eaves DL. . Brain and Behavior 2022, 12(2), e2407.
    • Coles NA, March DS, Marmolejo-Ramos F, Banaruee H, Butcher N, Cavallet M, Dagaev N, Eaves DL, Foroni F, Gorbunova E, Gygax P, Poveda JAH, Ikeda AA, Kathin-Zadeh O, Ozdogru AA, Parzuchowski M, Ruiz-Fernández S, Som B, Suarez I, Trujillo N, Trujillo S, van der Zee T, Villalba-García C, Willis M, Yamada Y, Ellsworth P, Gaertner L, Strack F, Tullio Liuzza M, Marozzi M. . Nature Human Behaviour 2022, 6, 1731-1742.
    • Chen M, Spanton K, van Schaik P, Spears I, Eaves DL. . Perceptual and Motor Skills 2021, 128, 1607-1622.
    • Laas MM, Wright MD, McLaren SJ, Portas MD, Parkin G, Eaves DL. . European Journal of Human Movement 2021, 46, 59-65.
    • Eaves DL, Griffiths N, Burridge E, McBain T, Butcher N. . Musicae Scientiae 2020, 24(4), 475-493.
    • Bruton AM, Holmes PS, Eaves DL, Franklin ZC, Wright DJ. . Cortex 2020, 124, 119-136.
    • Scott MW, Emerson JR, Dixon J, Tayler MA, Eaves DL. . Human Movement Science 2020, 71, 102620.
    • Laas MM, Wright MD, McLaren SJ, Eaves DL, Parkin G, Portas MD. . Science and Medicine in Football 2020, 4(3), 203-210.
    • Kenny RPW, Atkinson G, Eaves DL, Martin D, Burn N, Dixon J. . Gait and Posture 2019, 71, 79-86.
    • Kenny RPW, Eaves DL, Martin D, Hatton AL, Dixon J. . BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation 2019, 11, 5.
    • Kenny RPW, Eaves DL, Martin D, Behmer LP, Dixon J. . Journal of Motor Behavior 2019, 52(4), 489-501.
    • Scott MW, Emerson JR, Dixon J, Tayler MA, Eaves DL. . Journal of Experimental Child Psychology 2019, 183, 242-260.
    • Cumming J, Eaves DL. . Imagination, Cognition and Personality 2018, 34(4), 375-393.
    • Scott MW, Taylor S, Chesterton P, Vogt S, Eaves DL. . Disability and Rehabilitation 2018, 40(12), 1443-1451.
    • Eaves DL, Emerson JR, Binks JA, Scott MW, Kenny RPW. . European Journal of Neuroscience 2018, 47(10), 1219-1220.
    • Wright DJ, Wood G, Eaves DL, Bruton AM, Frank C, Franklin ZC. . Psychology of Sport and Exercise 2018, 39, 114-121.
    • Emerson JR, Binks JA, Scott MW, Kenny RPW, Eaves DL. . AIMS Neuroscience 2018, 5(4), 236-252.
    • Eaves DL, Behmer L, Vogt S. . Brain and Cognition 2016, 106, 90-103.
    • Eaves DL, Haythornthwaite L, Vogt S. . Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014, 8, 28.
    • Eaves DL, Turgeon M, Vogt S. . PLoS ONE 2012, 7(10), e46728.
    • Eaves DL, Breslin G, Robinson E, van Schaik P, Spears IR. . Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments 2011, 20(1), 62-77.
    • Eaves DL, Hodges NJ, Williams AM. . Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise 2008, 40(8), 1506-1514.
    • Hodges NJ, Hayes SJ, Eaves DL, Horn R, Williams AM. . International Journal of Sport Psychology 2006, 37(2-3), 230-247.

  • Book Chapters

    • Binks JA, Wright D, Bruton A, Lin D, Kenny RPW, Eaves DL. Combining Action Observation and Motor Imagery (AO+MI): Mechanisms, Applications, and Guidelines for Enhancing Motor Learning and Rehabilitation. In: Lindsay, R; Spittle, M; Frank, C; McNeil, D, ed. The Psychology of Mental Imagery in Action. New York, USA: Routledge, 2025, pp.105-131.
    • Binks JA, Wright DW, Bruton A, Lin D, Kenny RPW, Eaves DL. . In: Lindsay, RS; Frank, C; McNeil, D; Spittle, M, ed. The Psychology of Mental Imagery in Movement and Action. New York, USA: Routledge, 2025, pp.105-131.

  • Editorial

    • Eaves DL, Costantino C, Demeco A, Buccino G. . Frontiers in Neurology 2025, 16, 1-3.

  • Reviews

    • Eaves DL, Hodges NJ, Buckingham G, Buccino G, Vogt S. . Psychological Research 2024, 88, 1891-1907.
    • Eaves DL, Riach M, Holmes PS, Wright DJ. . Frontiers in Neuroscience 2016, 10, 514.
    • Murphy S, Eaves DL. . Frontiers in Psychology 2016, 7, 843.