Bucks New University academic wins prestigious £170k grant to explore link between sedentary lifestyle and vision

Is sitting still quietly affecting how we see the world? A new study led by Bucks New University will investigate whether physical inactivity impairs visual processing and spatial awareness. 

Professor Brandon S Shaw has been awarded a £170,000 grant from the prestigious Leverhulme Trust to lead "Visuospatial processing: Consequences of Physical Inactivity". The 24-month project will explore how an inactive lifestyle influences the brain's ability to handle visual information – and whether moving less impacts everyday skills such as driving, navigating spaces, and reacting to hazards.  

With global physical inactivity rates surging, the research aims to map the cognitive and visual effects of sedentary behaviour, particularly in midlife, to help inform future strategies for healthy ageing and public safety.  

Professor Brandon Shaw said: "This project is about understanding how inactivity affects the way we process space, react and coordinate movement. These are things we rely on every day, often without thinking about them." 

"With physical inactivity continuing to rise globally, it's important that we better understand, not just the physical health impacts, but how it affects cognitive and visual function too." 

Pro Vice-Chancellor Jermaine M Ravalier added: "This is a fantastic achievement for Brandon and securing this award is an incredible recognition of the quality, ambition and potential impact of Brandon's work. 

"Securing major external funding like this is a real sign of BNU's strength as a research-active university." 

Professor Shaw joined BNU in June 2026 and in addition to managing the research at BNU, he leads research across health, performance, and cognitive science. Launching in early 2027 in partnership with the University of Essex, the project will fund a new Postdoctoral Research Assistant, link to a Vice-Chancellor's PhD Studentship and anchor Bucks' new Centre for Integrative Lifestyle and Healthy Ageing Research (CILHAR).