Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Tierney's research expertise spans injury biomechanics, wearable sensors, signal processing, AI and computer vision. He has extensive experience working with elite sports teams, technology companies, and governing bodies. Notably, his research with World Rugby played a pivotal role in implementing instrumented mouthguards to monitor players' head acceleration exposure and identify suspected concussions.
Dr. Tierney graduated top of his class with an MEng in Mechanical Engineering and went on to earn a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Trinity College Dublin in December 2018. He began his academic career as a Lecturer in Biomechanics at the University of Leeds in February 2019 before joining Ulster University in May 2021. Currently, Dr. Tierney serves as a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, teaching in both the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering programs.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, A Biomechanical Assessment of Direct and Inertial Head Loading in Rugby Union, Trinity College Dublin
Award Date: 7 Dec 2018
Master, M.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering , University of Liverpool
Award Date: 18 Jul 2014
External positions
Elected to the International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury
Jan 2025 → Jan 2030
Visiting Fellow - Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) Centre, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University
Oct 2021 → …
External Examiner - Sport & Exercise Science (BSc & MSci); Sports Coaching Science (BSc); Sport, Health and Exercise Science (FdSc), University of Chichester
Sept 2021 → …
Visiting Lecturer - School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds
May 2021 → …
Consensus Head Acceleration Measurement Practices (CHAMP) Group
May 2021 → …
Science and Medicine Research Group - Rugby Football League (RFL)
Apr 2021 → …
Law Modification Trial Working Group - Rugby Football League (RFL)
Apr 2020 → …
Scientific Review Committee - International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury (IRCOBI)
Sept 2019 → …
MBIM Task Force for Forensic Analysis of Injury Mechanism
Mar 2018 → …
Rugby Union Video Analysis Consensus Group
Aug 2017 → Feb 2020
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A Python-Based Automation Script to Mark Computer-Aided Design Assessments
Tierney, G., 28 Feb 2025, In: Applied Sciences. 15, 3, p. 1-9 9 p., 1203.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)22 Downloads (Pure) -
Expert amateur Irish boxing coaches’ perceptions of the technical components of straight punches
Britton, R., Hanlon, M., Healy, R., Beattie, K., Tierney, G. & Bolger, R., 24 Mar 2025, In: International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. p. 1-14 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Optimising Instrumented Mouthguard Data Analysis: Video Synchronisation Using a Cross-correlation Approach
Tooby, J., Rowson, S., Till, K., Allan, D., Bussey, M. D., Cazzola, D., Falvey, É., Friesen, K., Gardner, A. J., Owen, C. & Tierney, G., 30 Apr 2025, In: Annals of Biomedical Engineering. 53, 4, p. 923-933 11 p., e14676.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)4 Downloads (Pure) -
Tackle characteristics resulting in potential head injuries in elite men's Rugby League: A video analysis study of 746 tackles
Woodward, J., Jones, B., Phillips, G., Till, K., Hendricks, S., Tucker, R., Bleakley, C. M. & Tierney, G., 31 Mar 2025, In: European Journal of Sport Science. 25, 3, p. 1-9 9 p., e12270.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Tackle Techniques and Characteristics Associated With a Concussion in Tackling Players in the National Football League: The American Journal of Sports Medicine
Sherwood, C. P., Grogan, F., McMurry, T. L., Funk, J. R., Crandall, J. R., Sills, A. & Tierney, G., 30 Apr 2025, In: American Journal of Sports Medicine. 53, 5, p. 1142-1151 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile20 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Hans Gros Emerging Researcher Award - International Society of Biomechanics in Sports
Tierney, G. (Recipient), Sept 2021
Prize
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Best Supervisor - Faculty of Biological Sciences Partnership Awards, University of Leeds
Tierney, G. (Recipient), May 2020
Prize
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Press/Media
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Trinity School of Engineering Professor Ciaran Simms Presents: KineMo | Athlete Movement Capture Directly from Video
7/06/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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KineMo:How to capture athlete movement directly from video
31/05/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Smart gumshields: Why were they introduced, and what more can be done?
21/02/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Smart Mouthguards: What are they, and how can they help rugby players?
12/02/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Research
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Rugby's concussion problem tackled by smart mouthguards
7/12/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research