Dr Ayazullah Safi | Health Professions | Best Research Article Award

Dr Dr Ayazullah Safi, Birmingham City University, United Kingdom

Dr. Ayazullah Safi is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health at Birmingham City University, UK. With a dynamic career in teaching, research, and leadership, he specializes in health promotion, public health, physical activity, and nutrition. Dr. Safi has played pivotal roles in curriculum development, student supervision, and international research collaborations. He is also the founder of Anywhere Active, a platform that promotes physical wellbeing and community engagement. His academic journey is marked by innovative contributions across multiple education sectors, including higher education, secondary education, and community outreach. A committed mentor and educator, Dr. Safi is known for his ability to integrate theory with practical impact, particularly for underrepresented and vulnerable populations. His national and international recognition stems from his extensive research outputs, competitive grant success, and public health advocacy. Passionate about improving lives through education and evidence-based practices, Dr. Safi continues to inspire students, peers, and communities alike.

Publication Profile

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Education

Dr. Safi earned his PhD in Public Health with a dissertation focused on workplace physical activity interventions and their impact on university employees’ health and wellbeing. He also holds a Master of Arts in Sport Studies and Physical Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Studies. In pursuit of teaching excellence, he obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice in Higher Education, a Senior Fellowship from Advance HE, and completed an Academic Professional Apprenticeship. Additionally, he achieved the SEDA (Staff and Educational Development Association) Recognised Supervisor status, demonstrating his capability in mentoring and supervising academic research. Dr. Safi’s educational background reflects a strong commitment to advancing health sciences and pedagogy. His multi-disciplinary foundation empowers him to teach and lead across undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundation-level programmes with a rich understanding of both the scientific and sociocultural determinants of health, nutrition, and behaviour change.

Experience

Dr. Ayazullah Safi has accumulated over a decade of experience across public health, sports science, and education. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University, where he serves as Deputy Course Leader for the MPH programme and leads multiple public health modules. Previously, he was a Lecturer and Course Leader for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Westminster. His teaching spans undergraduate to postgraduate levels, with leadership in curriculum design, validation, and student supervision. He has also worked as a Consultant and Lecturer for the Workers’ Education Association, a Citizenship Teacher and Head of PE at Darul Uloom High School, and as the Director of community health initiatives such as Safi’s Sports and Fitness and Anywhere Active. His interdisciplinary experience in academia, community outreach, and project leadership reflects a well-rounded and impactful professional trajectory in promoting health and wellbeing through education and evidence-based practice.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Safi’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community service has been widely recognised. In 2024/25, Birmingham City University was shortlisted for the prestigious Sir Lenny Henry Inclusivity Award under his leadership. He received Highly Commended distinctions for both Inspirational Teacher of the Year and Research Supervisor of the Year in 2023/24. In 2022, he was named a Role Model for Under-Represented Communities by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). His earlier accolades include the Contribution to the Community Award from the Youth Development Association in Afghanistan (2020), Research of the Year at Birmingham City University (2018/19), and Poster Presentation Prize Winner at the British Psychological Society (BPS) Annual Conference in 2019. These awards affirm Dr. Safi’s dedication to inclusive education, impactful research, and community wellbeing, marking him as an influential figure in both academic and grassroots health environments.

Research Focus

Dr. Ayazullah Safi’s research focuses on promoting health and wellbeing through physical activity, nutrition, and behaviour change strategies. His PhD examined the effects of workplace physical activity interventions on employee health and lifestyle transformation. He is particularly interested in interdisciplinary approaches that integrate public health, sports science, and leadership to address sedentary lifestyles, chronic disease prevention, and health inequalities. His work often targets underrepresented communities, promoting culturally sensitive, community-based health solutions. Dr. Safi has led and contributed to several funded research projects, including those on adolescent health in Saudi Arabia, healthy fan zones during Eurovision, and NHS health check focus groups. He is currently involved in multimorbidity prevention projects among BAME populations. By bridging academic theory and real-world application, his research supports both local and international public health initiatives, while fostering global academic collaborations and student-led investigations.

Publication Top Notes

• 🧠 “Workplace Interventions and Wellbeing: A Meta-Analysis of University Staff Health” – Public Health Journal

• 🏋️‍♂️ “Physical Activity Patterns Among UK Office Workers Post-COVID-19” – Journal of Exercise Science

• 🍎 “Precision Nutrition in Community Health Programmes” – Global Nutrition Insights

• 🌍 “Decolonising Health Curricula: Challenges and Strategies” – Education and Society

• 💬 “Community Voices: Evaluating NHS Health Checks through Focus Groups” – Health Policy and Planning