Dr Matt Hill

Dr Mathew Hill is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Leicester. His research focuses on falls prevention, treatment and recovery and concerns about falling among older adults and other populations at risk of falls. He uses experimental approaches alongside longitudinal and population-based observational research to understand why people fall, how fear of falling develops and influences behaviour, and how these insights can inform more effective prevention and treatment. I am also broadly interested in understanding the psychological and sensorimotor mechanisms underlying postural control, with a particular emphasis on using postural threat paradigms to interrogate the mechanisms that drive fear of falling.

My research focuses on understanding the psychological and perceptual mechanisms that influence balance, mobility, and fear of falling across the lifespan. I am particularly interested in how people perceive and respond to challenges to balance, how these responses influence movement behaviour and activity, and why maladaptive responses develop and persist in some individuals.

Through experimental, behavioural, and population-level approaches, my research aims to better understand the factors that contribute to fear of falling and falls, and how these processes influence mobility, independence, and quality of life. Ultimately, this work seeks to inform the development of more effective approaches to preventing falls, reducing fear and concerns about falling, and supporting healthy ageing and independence.

Explore my research and publications at Google Scholar or ResearchGate

I am an experienced PhD supervisor with a strong track record of guiding projects exploring the psychological and perceptual factors that influence balance, mobility, fear of falling, and fall-related outcomes. I am particularly interested in supervising research that examines how cognitive, perceptual, emotional, and behavioural processes shape responses to challenges to balance and influence mobility and independence across the lifespan.

I welcome projects that use experimental, behavioural, longitudinal, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to investigate the development and persistence of fear of falling, factors associated with falls and mobility-related outcomes, and the mechanisms underlying adaptive and maladaptive responses to postural and mobility challenges.

My supervision approach combines methodological rigour with a focus on developing research that has clear theoretical and translational value, supporting students to address important questions about balance, falls, mobility, and independence in later life.

Editorial board member for BMC Psychology

Member of the British Geriatrics Society

Member of the International Society for Posture and Gait Research

The Conversation: Walking downhill increases risk of falls in older adults https://theconversation.com/walking-downhill-increases-risk-of-falls-in-older-adults-142861

Positive mindset about ageing in over-60s linked to better recovery after a fall https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/264333/positive-mindset-about-ageing-over-60s-linked/