Category: Upcoming events

Posted on

📢 Expressions of Interest Open: Helping Shape the Future of UK Anthropometric Data

Accurate anthropometric data is fundamental to designing products, workplaces, vehicles, healthcare services and public environments that safely and effectively meet the needs of the people who use them. However, much of the anthropometric data currently used within the UK is either outdated, collected overseas, or does not adequately reflect the diversity of today’s UK population.

Internationally, significant progress is being made to address this challenge. Recent European standards have brought together anthropometric and strength data for children across Europe, resulting in the publication of Anthropometric and Strength Data of Children in Europe (PD CEN/TR 18296-1:2026). 

This publication represent an important step forward in providing high-quality anthropometric data and guidance for designers, researchers and standards developers. Work is now underway to develop equivalent resources focused on adult populations, creating a unique opportunity for the UK to contribute to and benefit from this emerging international infrastructure.

Despite these advances, the UK remains underrepresented within large-scale anthropometric datasets. Establishing a modern and representative UK anthropometric database could support improvements across product design, ergonomics, healthcare, transport, standards development, research and innovation.

To begin exploring this opportunity, the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University is convening a thought leadership roundtable bringing together experts from ergonomics, design, health, industry, standards and data science.

The event will focus on:

  • Understanding current anthropometric data gaps affecting UK stakeholders
  • Learning from existing European and international initiatives
  • Exploring options for developing a contemporary UK anthropometric database
  • Identifying opportunities for collaboration across sectors
  • Agreeing priorities and next steps

Event Details

Date: Thursday 14 January 2027
Time: 10:00-15:00
Location: Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK

This will be a highly interactive working session designed to encourage discussion, collaboration and co-creation. Participants will be expected to actively contribute their expertise, experience and perspectives throughout the day.

Places are limited to 30 participants. Expressions of interest are invited from individuals currently working in the UK. Should demand exceed capacity, applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced representation of sectors, disciplines and expertise.

If you would like to help shape the future of anthropometric data in the UK, we encourage you to submit an expression of interest and join this important conversation.

Register Your Interest

Places are limited to 30 participants and attendance is intended for individuals currently working in the UK. If expressions of interest exceed capacity, applications will be reviewed to ensure a balanced representation of sectors, disciplines and expertise.

Register your interest here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/2PWtps9vbz

Applications will close ahead of the event and all applicants will be contacted regarding the outcome of their application by 3 December 2026.

We welcome expressions of interest from colleagues across academia, industry, healthcare, standards development, government, design, ergonomics, engineering and data science who wish to help shape the future of UK anthropometric data.

Posted on

November 2025: SHU ISAK level 1 accreditation & re-accreditation training course

SHU School of Sport & Physical Activity & the AWRC to hold ISAK Level 1 CPD training in November 2025 (26 – 28/11 09:00 – 17:00). This course will teach an understanding of the theory of anthropometric applications through asynchronous online content (received 2 weeks ahead of practical sessions) and in person practical sessions over consecutive days.

During the final day you will undergo a practical examination in which your inter and intra anthropometrist error will be assessed. After the course you are required to collect 20 anthropometric profiles, achieving appropriate intra anthropometrist error, to achieve ISAK accreditation.

Once accredited, the ISAK certificate is valid for 4 years, after which point you can undertake re-accreditation at the same level or complete a full course at a higher level.

This course is an official ISAK registered course and is delivered by an ISAK accredited level 3 instructor, and anthropometry specialist in the Morphology Research Theme, Dr Alice Bullas.

The cost of this course includes the training course, ISAK membership registration, digital ISAK manual royalty fee, a physical ISAK manual, lunch and refreshments each day.

SHU student/staff/alumni will receive a large discount.

If you are interested in ISAK Level 2, please get in contact – as this will only be provided if there is enough demand. This would be costed at External: £550, Student*: £400, SHU staff* / alumni*: £350, SHU student: £325.

ISAK LEVEL 1 (External: £450, Student*: £300, SHU staff* / alumni*: £250, SHU student: £225).

This ISAK level 1 course is designed for those required to collate a restricted profile of anthropometric measurements and skinfolds: 4 base measures, 8 skinfolds, 6 girths and 3 bone breadths. BOOK HERE

RE-ACCREDITATION (External: £155, Student*: £130, SHU staff* / alumni*: £130, SHU student: £110).

This course is the re-accreditation (one day examination) for the ISAK level 1 and 2 course. This consists of a three-subject practical exam in which Inter-tester TEM targets (of 12.5% for each skinfold and 2.5% for each of the other measures), must be met. This is an in person practical examination session over 1 days (typically 9:30am – 5:00pm). BOOK HERE

*Proof of Student ID/Staff ID/Graduation Certificate Required.

ABOUT ISAK:

ISAK, the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, is a global organization that sets standards for the measurement of the human body in relation to movement, health, and performance. Kinanthropometry focuses on body composition, size, shape, and proportionality, and ISAK plays a key role by providing a standardized framework for how these measurements are taken and interpreted. Through internationally recognized accreditation courses, ISAK ensures that practitioners—such as sport scientists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists—collect accurate, reliable, and consistent anthropometric data.

The importance of ISAK lies in its ability to unify and professionalize measurement practices worldwide. Accurate anthropometric assessment is essential for evaluating athletic potential, monitoring training adaptations, tailoring nutrition programs, and identifying health risks linked to obesity or undernutrition. By maintaining strict methodological standards, ISAK enhances comparability across studies and applications, ensuring data is scientifically valid. This supports evidence-based decision-making in sports performance, talent identification, physical education, and clinical health. Ultimately, ISAK provides the foundation for trustworthy anthropometric research and practice, advancing both science and applied health fields globally.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Candidates whose previous accreditation has expired for more than two years are ineligible for re-accreditation, unless there is a medically-certified reason for their not having been able to re-accredit within that entire period. In the absence of that, these candidates must redo the complete Level 1 course if they wish to regain their accreditation.

No candidate can be admitted to a re-accreditation workshop if any unresolved disciplinary or administrative issue exists between them and ISAK. Therefore, it is compulsory for the candidate to contact the ISAK Secretariat to confirm approval for reaccreditation ahead of booking onto this course. This email confirmation should then be forwarded to the course leader – Dr Alice Bullas (a.bullas@shu.ac.uk).

Certification will only be issued after: Successful participation in an anthropometry course (at Level 1) containing theory and practical components as specified in the Level 1 curriculum. Successful demonstration of landmarking, equipment manipulation and measurement of the Restricted Profile in front of a Level 3 or Level 4 Anthropometrist. Successful completion of a practical examination (80% minimum) in the presence of a Level 3 (Instructor) or Level 4 (Criterion) Anthropometrist.

The examination will consist of the measurement of a sample set of 10 variables from the Restricted Profile on 3 subjects. The 10 variables of the exam must include: 1 base measure, 5 skinfolds, 3 girths and 1 bone breaths. To score points for a variable, the intra-tester % TEM in the practical exam must be no more than 10% for skinfolds and no more than 2% for the other measures. To score points for a variable, the inter-tester %TEM between the criterion and the technician, using the same equipment, must be no more than 12.5% for skinfold measures and no more than 2.5% for the other measures (Table 1).Successful post-course completion of repeat measures of the Restricted Profile on 20 subjects, where a subject is landmarked once and then duplicate or triplicate measures are taken, as required. All variables of the Restricted Profile are to be measured on each of the 20 subjects. [This must be done by measuring the entire proforma once, then the entire proforma a second time, then taking third measures where needed.]

Within-course Post-course profiles 15 tester %TEMs for the duplicates must not exceed 7.5% for any skinfold nor 1.5% for any of the other measures. The authenticity of the measurement session(s) and original data sheets must be certified by the candidate. The authenticity and adequacy of those measurements are matters for the Examiner to determine. Note: Level 1s have 4 months from the date of their practical examination to submit their 20 proformas through ISAK Metry software.

Certification expires four years and four months from the date of the practical
examination.

100% Refunds available up to 14 days before the course start date (26/11/25).
50% Refunds available up to 7 days before the course start date (26/11/25).

If you are interested in attending, or have any questions please get in contact with Dr Alice Bullas