Dr Ayazullah Safi
Dr Ayazullah Safi is a senior lecturer in the Department of Public Health, teaching across Foundation, BSc, and Master of Public Health courses at Birmingham City University (BCU). Prior to joining BCU, he was the Course Leader for MSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition, Deputy Course Leader for Essential of Nutrition (Short Course) and School of Life Sciences Ethics Co-ordinator and a Lecturer at the University of Westminster in London.
Dr Safi has a strong background in theoretical and practical teaching and research applications with industry experience in education, public health, sports and exercise science and coaching, personal businesses, and an exceptional national and international media profile. Dr Safi is currently collaborating with several regional, national, and international organisations across a range of public health, sport, physical activity, nutrition, and behaviour change projects.
Dr Safi also worked as a head of the Physical Education Department in a high school and sixth form college and was director of the Safi's Sport and Fitness, focused on promoting physical activity, nutrition, and health of BAME communities.
Dr Safi is the founder and director of ‘Anywhere Active’ an online platform focused on promoting health and wellbeing through education, physical activity/exercise, and nutrition worldwide. Dr Safi worked with 'Workers Educational Association (Tandursti), where he designed curriculum and tailored exercise, nutrition and behaviour change plans for individuals with underlying physiological and psychological health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, angina, anxiety, and depression.
Dr Safi continues to collaborate and consult with international institutions and organisations in several areas ranging from public health, sport and exercise science.
Areas of Expertise
- Public health
- Interdisciplinary public health and sport and exercise science
- Physical activity, nutrition, health, wellbeing, and behaviour change
- Sports and exercise science
- Sports, health, and exercise psychology
- Physical education
- Applying qualitative and quantitative data approaches
- Utilising mixed-method approach and analysis
- SPSS
Qualifications
- PhD Public Health
- MA Sport studies and Physical Education
- BA in Sport Studies
- Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- PGcert in Research Practice
- PGcert in Higher Education
- HNC Sport & Exercise Science
- Level 3 Personal Trainer
- FA Football Level 2 Qualified
- ECB Cricket Level 2 Qualified
- MHFA
Memberships
- HEA (Fellow)
- BASES
- CIMSPA
- MHFA
Teaching
Dr Safi teaches across courses in the HELS faculty ranging from foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate and leading various modules in the Master of Public Health (MPH) course.
Module leader for level 7:
- Leadership Skills and Project Management for Health and Healthcare (MPH)
Deputy Module leader for level 7:
- Research Methods (MPH)
- Epidemiology (MPH)
- Guang Dong: Perspective on Health (MPH)
Teaching across level 7 modules including:
- Public Health Foundations (MPH)
- Dissertation project (MPH)
- Foundation Year
Research
- The Impact of Workplace Physical Activity, Health, Well-Being, And Behaviour Change Interventions on Employees in The Workplace
- An Incentivised Mixed Methods Physical Activity Intervention Promoting Daily Steps Amongst Employees in The Workplace Through a Team-Based Competition
- The Role of The Gut Microbiome in Diet and Exercise Effects on Health and Well-Being
- Physical Activity Levels of Afghans and Other South Asian Youth in the UK
- The Correlation of Built Environment on Hypertension, And Weight Status Amongst Adolescence in Saudi Arabia
- The Impact of Shift Work Has on The Nutritional Behaviours of UK Police Officers
- Meal Timing and Physical Activity Impact on Nocturnal Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) In Middle-Aged Individuals in England
- The Impact of a Global Pandemic (COVID-19) On Factors Impacting the Resilience of Top-Tier London Hockey Players.
- The Social Factors Influencing Saudi Youth Physical Activity Participation: A Mixed Methods Study Based on Social Ecological Model
- Characterization, Antibiotic Susceptibility and Detection of The PVL Gene In Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolated from Hospitalized Patients in Kabul, Afghanistan
- Ethnic Minority and Refugees’ Health and Wellbeing
- Physical Activity and Precision Nutrition Interventions for Health and Wellbeing
- Physical Activity/Exercise, Nutrition, and Mental Health of International and Home Students
Postgraduate Supervision
- Supervising Master of Public Health dissertation projects
- Supervising PhD student
Publications
Referred Journal Articles
- Sharland, P.B., Haroun, J. and Safi, A., 2023. Exploring the Impact of a Global Pandemic (COVID-19) on Factors Impacting the Resilience of Top-Tier London Hockey Players. Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5346846
- Al-Nuaim, A. and Safi, A., 2023. Factors Influencing Saudi Youth Physical Activity Participation: A Qualitative Study Based on the Social Ecological Model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(10), p.5785. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105785
- Safi, A.; Khawaja, I.; Collins, P.; Myers, T. A Cross-Sectional Study Exploring the Physical Activity Levels of Afghans and Other South Asian Youth in the UK. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 1087. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021087.
- Al-Nuaim, A.; Safi, A. The Correlation of Built Environment on Hypertension, and Weight Status amongst Adolescence in Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 16763. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416763.
- Allen, K., Safi, A. and Deb, S.K., 2022. An exploration into the impact that shift work has on the nutritional behaviours of UK police officers. British Journal of Nutrition, pp.1-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114522002999.
- Safi, A.; Cole, M.; Kelly, A.L.; Zariwala, M.G.; Walker, N.C. Workplace Physical Activity Barriers and Facilitators: A Qualitative Study Based on Employees Physical Activity Levels. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 9442. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159442.
- Al-Nuaim, A., & Safi, A. (2022). The Impact of Environment on Physical Activity Levels and Obesity among Saudi Arabia Youth: Comparison of Urban; Rural Farm and Rural Desert Geographical Locations. Physical Activity and Health, 6(1), pp. 86–95. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/paah.188.
- Safi, A., Cole, M., Kelly, A., Deb, S., & Walker, N. (2022). A Comparison of Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle of University Employees through ActiGraph and IPAQ-LF. Physical Activity and Health, 6(1), pp. 5–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/paah.163.
- Safi, A., 2021. The impact of workplace physical activity interventions on university employee’s health, wellbeing, and behaviour change (Doctoral dissertation, Birmingham City University).
- Safi, A., Cole, M., Kelly, A. L., & Walker, N. C. (2021). An Evaluation of Physical Activity Levels amongst University Employees. Advances in Physical Education, 11, 158-171. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2021.112012.
- Safi, A., & Myers, T. (2021). Barriers to Physical Activity: A Comparison of Afghans Living in the UK and Afghanistan. Advances in Physical Education, 11, 103-117. https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2021.111008.
- Safi, A., How to stay active during Ramadan - Exceptional. Published by SAGA Exceptional, 24 March 2023.
- Safi A., staying health during Ramadan: Staying healthy during Ramadan : Birmingham City University (bcu.ac.uk) published by Birmingham City University, 23 March 2023
- Dr Ayaz Safi for BBC Pashto on health and nutrition during Ramadan (2022). https://www.westminster.ac.uk/news/dr-ayaz-safi-for-bbc-pashto-on-health-and-nutrition-during-ramadan. Published by University of Westminster 12 April 2022.
- Dr Ayaz Safi for TOLOnews about the public health crisis in Afghanistan and potential solutions (2021). Published by University of Westminster 19 November 2021
- Safi, A. (2021) Ramadan: four tips to help you eat right and stay healthy. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/profiles/ayaz-safi-1224056/articles. Published on the 16 April 2021.
- Safi, A., (2020). ‘Researcher draws up top nutrition and exercise tips for observing Ramadan during lockdown. Publisher Birmingham City University article link: https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/academic-draws-up-top-nutrition-and-exercise-tips-for-runners-observing-ramadan. Published date 11th May 2020.
- Safi, A., (2020). UK researcher draws up top nutrition and exercise tips for observing Ramadan during lockdown Publisher GDN Life article link: https://www.gdnlife.com/Home/ArticleDetail?ArticleId=35136&category=4.Published date 12th May 2020.
- Safi, A., (2019). ‘How to fast responsibly during the Muslim holy month’. Publisher MSN https://www.msn.com/en-gb/lifestyle/lifestylegeneral/ramadan-2019-how-to-fastresponsibly-during-the-muslim-holy-month/ar-AAANLwj.
- Safi, A., (2019). ‘How to fast responsibly during the Muslim holy month’. Publisher Yahoo News.
- Safi, A., (2019). Ramadan – How to fast responsibly during the Muslim holy month’. Publisher ‘the Independent’.https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/ramadan-2019-how-to-fastislam-tips-advice-how-long-a8896546.html.
- Safi, A., (2019). ‘Ramadan: Fitness Survival Guide. Publisher Birmingham City University Press Media Office.
- Safi, A., (2019). The researcher on a mission to get staff exercising in the office. Publisher Muscle & Fitness: page 141: date 01/05/2019.
- Safi, A., (2019). The researcher on a mission to get staff exercising in the office. Publisher Birmingham City University Press office: 13 June 2019. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/the-researcher-on-a-mission-to-get-staff-exercising-in-the-office.
- Al-Kateb, H., Cole., M., Safi, A., (2018). ‘Eating right and keeping well during Ramadan’. Publisher HealthToday, an award-winning monthly Malaysian magazine. HT 14-17. 19 June 2018.
- Al-Kateb, H., Cole., M., Safi, A., (2018) ‘Eating right and keeping well during Ramadan’. Publisher Birmingham City University Media Press Office: 01 June 2018. https://www.bcu.ac.uk/news-events/news/eating-right-and-keeping-well-during-ramadan.
- Safi, A., Badiani, Y., (Ramadan, 2018). ‘How to stay healthy while fasting during festival’. Publisher ‘the Independent ‘. 31 May 2018.
- Al-Kateb, H., Cole., M., Safi, A., (2018). ‘Eating right and keeping well during Ramadan’. Publisher the ‘Times of Oman’ (Lifestyle Wellness) 19 May 2018. https://timesofoman.com/article/134668.
- Safi, A., (2018). ‘Researchers give tips for a healthy Ramadan’. Publisher the Press-reader on 16 May 2018. https://www.pressreader.com/lebanon/the-daily-star-lebanon/20180516/281599536147237.
- Al-Kateb, H., Cole., M., Safi, A., (2018). ‘How to eat right and keep well during Ramadan’. Publisher Aljazeera on 15 May 2018.
- Safi, A., (2017). ‘The importance of exercise psychology in professional cricket’. Publisher BBC Pashto service on the 25 Feb 2017. https://www.bbc.com/pashto/sport-39091576.
- Safi, A., (2016). ‘The psychological reasons for losing the winning game of cricket’. Publisher BBC Pashto service on the 25 December 2016. https://www.bbc.com/pashto/sport/2016/09/160926_mental_skills_training_for_afghan_ricketers.
- Safi, A., (2017). ‘New research aims to get staff fitter’. Published by Birmingham City University. Press Office on the 16 July 2017.
Referred Conference Presentations
- Safi, A., (2022). The impact of workplace physical activity & Sedentary behaviour interventions on employees’ health, wellbeing, and behaviour change. School of Life Sciences Seminar, at the University of Westminster London under the theme “Translating Research: From Bench to Public Health” 06 April 2022.
- Safi, A., Cole, M, Walker, N, & Kelly, A.L., (2019). An evaluation of physical activity levels amongst university employees. Research presented at the British Association Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) 2019 annual conference, at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, UK. 19-20 November 2019.
- Safi, A., Kelly, A.L., Cole, M, & Walker, N, (2019). Promoting Physical Activity Amongst University Employees’ Through the’10,000 Steps Challenge’. Research presented at the British Psychological Society (BPS) 2019 annual conference, at the Voco St. John’s Solihull, UK. 02- 03 December 2019.
- Safi, A., (2019). Physical activity, health, and well-being interventions in the university workplace. Presentation presented at the 14th annual health conference, at the Birmingham City University. 02 July 2019.
- Safi, A., (2019). The importance of engaging in regular physical activity on health and wellbeing. Presentation presented at the RESFEST annual conference, at the Birmingham City University. 03 July 2019.
- Safi, A., Cole., M., and Walker., N, (2018). ‘A comparison of two widely used physical activity monitoring methods to determine physical activity rates of university employees’. Paper/presentation presented at the Public Health Institution Conference, at the Liverpool John Moore University. 04 July 2018.
- Safi, A., Cole., M., and Walker, N., (2018). ‘Do University employees meet the physical activity guidelines’ (within or outside the workplace)? Paper presented at the Population Health and Prevention Conference by Public Health England at Leeds, 07 March 2018.
- Safi, A., Cole., M., and Walker., N, (2018). ‘The Impact of Physical Activity intervention on university employees’ behaviour change, health and well-being. Paper presented at the BASES Division of Physical Activity for Health Divisional Day conference, Coventry University, 08 February 2018.
- Khawaja, I., Woodfield, L., Collins, P., Nevill, A. and Safi, A (2016) ‘Gender differences in physical activity behaviour according to location’. Paper presented at the British Heart Foundation Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health across the Lifespan conference. Coventry University, Coventry, UK. 6 October 2016.
- Khawaja, I., Woodfield, L., Collins, P., Nevill, A. and Safi, A (2016) ‘The use of technology in measuring children’s physical activity’. Paper presented at Newman University’s Festival of Doctoral Research. Newman University, Birmingham, UK. 7 July 2016.
- Khawaja, I., Woodfield, L., Collins, P., Nevill, A. and Safi, A (2016) ‘Physical activity location and intensity across the school year: a mixed methods study’. Paper presented at the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Annual Conference, Cape Town International Convention Centre. Cape Town, South Africa. 8-11 June 2016.
- Khawaja, I., Safi, A., Collins, P., Nevill, A. and Woodfield, L (2015) ‘The measurement of physical activity behaviours of young people’. Paper presented at the International Society of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity Annual Conference, Edinburgh International Conference Centre. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. 3-6 June 2015.
Media Work
- Interview with BBC Pashto about the importance of sleep and its impact on health and wellbeing. 23 April 2022. Full link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cDjMBR9xIg
- Interview with BBC Pashto about the importance of physical activity/exercise during Ramadan and how people from different abilities and age groups including workers can maintain a healthy and activity lifestyle. 16 April 2022. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bom-HDMmDqY&list=PLp0JsBNFu3G1pth082kqw8R19bkKfbGAY&index=4
- Interview with BBC Pashto about controlling anger, mood swings and helping others and its impact on health and well-being 11 April 2022. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zPiqIhfsbQ
- Interview with BBC Pashto - Dr Ayaz Safi for BBC Pashto on health and nutrition during Ramadan 02 April 2022. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvPaIkdpT6A
- Dr Ayaz Safi interview with BBC Pashto –about healthy and unhealthy habits during Ramadan. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wlE1V0xqEk
- Interview with BBC Pashto about why people use illegal performance enhancement drugs in sports. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0XqCEVHCAI
- Interview with BBC Pashto about how to train athletes to make it to the Olympic 2016. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re4czLvTBW0
- Interview with Tolo News about the public health crisis in Afghanistan and potential solutions. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v471ym-YC_w
- Interview with Shamshad TV about well-being and its impact on health and life. Full link: https://www.facebook.com/Roonsaharr/videos/2903301576596884/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C
- Interview with RTA about the importance of engaging in exercise and nutrition during pregnancy (skip the first 26 minutes). Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3mLzeku2Jk
- Interview with Shamshad TV advice to the government and people of Afghanistan about nutrition, health, and well-being. Full link: https://www.facebook.com/Roonsaharr/videos/benefits-of-sport/355475045610340/
- Interview with Radio Television Afghanistan about the importance of engaging in exercise and nutrition on health and well-being during Covid-19 (skip the first 17 minutes). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rebav87HNfw
- Interview with Shamshad TV about the importance of engaging in regular exercise and diet. Full link: https://www.facebook.com/Roonsaharr/videos/273269707836637/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing
- Interview with Shamshad TV Programme called Roon Sahar about the immune system and the effect of exercise and nutrition. Full link: https://www.facebook.com/Roonsaharr/videos/601862897083578/
- Interview with Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) programme called ‘Good Morning’ about the importance of Sport, Public Health and Education on Covid-19. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHNsoD-_xMprzkbTxgrsMw
- Interview Voice of America (VOA) about the programme I developed of how to be stay active and healthy at home during Covid-19 lockdown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e4dwqjgHPo
- Interview with RTA about physical activity, health and well-being for children, adults, and people with health issues (skip the first 21 minutes). Full link: https://www.facebook.com/rtapashto/videos/702132877204912/
- Interview with RTA (Afghan National TV) about exercise and health. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdR2GZ2mIgs&list=UU5sQ7-blB3z2IizLHEvjVoQ&index=27
- Interview with the Voice of America Pashto about how to stay active and healthy during Ramadhan. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=8jHe8RXzy-Q&app=desktop
- Interview with BBC Pashto about how to stay active and healthy. Full link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbo53ECyukY
- Interview with Asian Network. Full link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_asian_network
- Interview with BBCWM: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_wm
- Interview with BBC radio Northampton: https://www.bbc.co.uk/search?filter=programmes&q=how+to+stay+healthy+and+active+during+ramadhan - page=3
- Interview with BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_coventry_warwickshire
- Interview with Free Radio about my PhD research interventions. https://planetradio.co.uk/free/
Work With Industry
- Birmingham City Council
- Anywhere Active
- Safi’s Sport & Fitness
- Linguide AI
- Workers’ Educational Association (Tandursti)
- Afghan Foundation
- Coleshill Cricket Club
- Developed businesses
Links and Social Media
- Twitter: @ayazsafi13
- ResearchGate: Ayazullah Safi
- LinkedIn: Dr Ayaz Safi