Academic Qualifications
- PhD in Exercise psychology and Public Health
- MA Sport Studies and Physical Education
- BA (Hons) Sport Studies
- PGCert in Research Practice
- PGCert in Higher Education
- HNC Sport and Exercise Science
Professional Recognition
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
- SEDA Recognised Research Supervisor
- Leadership and Professional Development
- Diversifying Our Leadership Programme, BCU
Professional Certifications
- Level 3 Personal Trainer
- FA Football Coaching Qualification – Level 2
- ECB Cricket Coaching Qualification – Level 2
- Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Dr Safi teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the Department of Life and Sport Sciences within the School of Life and Health Sciences at BCU. His teaching reflects an interdisciplinary approach that integrates public health, physical activity, sport and exercise science, and health promotion.
He contributes to teaching across several programmes including the BSc Sport and Exercise Science, Coaching and Physical Education, and the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme. Dr Safi leads and contributes to a range of modules focusing on leadership, health promotion, physical activity and wellbeing.
Module Leadership
- Leadership Skills and Project Management for Health and Healthcare (Level 7) – MPH
- Children’s Development: Physical, Emotional, Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) – Sports Coaching and Physical Education
Teaching Contributions
- Physical Activity and Health in Practice (Level 5) - Sports Coaching and Physical Education
- Additional teaching and supervision across modules within the MPH programme.
Dr Safi’s research focuses on interdisciplinary approaches to improving population health through lifestyle, behavioural and community-based interventions. His work integrates perspectives from public health, sport and exercise science, nutrition, behavioural science and health promotion to address contemporary health challenges and reduce health inequalities.
Key Research Themes
- Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and behaviour change interventions
- Workplace health and wellbeing interventions
- Nutrition, lifestyle medicine and metabolic health
- Health inequalities and global majority communities
- Youth physical activity and health behaviours
- Community-based health promotion
- Mental health and wellbeing in relation to lifestyle behaviours
Selected Research Projects
- Health and wellbeing among international students: examining physical activity, nutrition, stress, cultural adaptation and mental health in the UK higher education context.
- Ethnic health inequalities and community engagement: including research on NHS Health Check awareness and participation.
- Culturally inclusive physical activity interventions: co-producing and piloting community-based movement and behaviour change programmes to reduce physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour among ethnic minority populations.
- Workplace health and behaviour change interventions: evaluating physical activity and lifestyle interventions aimed at improving employee health, wellbeing and productivity.
- Physical activity and health behaviours among young people: including research involving Afghan, South Asian and Arab youth populations in the UK and adolescents in Saudi Arabia.
- Lifestyle medicine and metabolic health: exploring the relationships between nutrition, physical activity, gut microbiome, meal timing and chronic health conditions such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
Dr Safi’s research aims to translate evidence into practical interventions that support healthier lifestyles and reduce health inequalities at community and population levels.
Dr Safi supervises postgraduate research students in areas related to public health, physical activity, behaviour change, health promotion and health inequalities. He supervises MPH dissertation students and PhD researchers, supporting projects that explore lifestyle behaviours, community health interventions and population health outcomes.
Current PhD Supervision
- Craig Newton – Director of Studies, BCU. Research focus: Understanding user experiences of physical activity trackers and their role in supporting health behaviour change.
- Una Kerin – PhD Supervisor, BCU. Research focus: Exploring older adults’ experiences of hospital-to-home discharge and the implications for health and wellbeing.
- Manpreet Mujral – External Supervisor, University of Westminster, London. Research focus: Investigating gut microbiome diversity and modulation, and its relationship with diet and exercise, particularly among ethnic minority populations.
Dr Safi welcomes enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in research related to public health, sport and exercise science including physical activity, behaviour change, lifestyle medicine, health and wellbeing inequalities.
Please find a full list of publications on Dr Safi's ResearchGate profile.
Dr Safi is actively involved in translating research into practice through media engagement, digital platforms and community initiatives. He hosts the Dr Ayaz Safi Podcast, where he interviews academics, policymakers and practitioners on topics including public health, wellbeing, international affairs and social issues. The podcast serves as a platform for accessible knowledge exchange, bringing expert perspectives to a global audience.
In addition, Dr Safi founded Anywhere Active, a health-promotion initiative that provides evidence-based guidance on physical activity and wellbeing through multilingual digital content, social media outreach and community engagement activities. Content produced through his podiums has reached over 8 million people across social media and online platforms, supporting wider public awareness of healthy lifestyles and preventative health behaviours.
Media Interviews and Broadcast Contributions
Dr Safi has provided expert commentary on public health, physical activity and wellbeing across international media platforms, including more than 30 interviews with outlets such as BBC, VOA, RTA, TOLO TV, Shamshad TV and others.
- Safi, A. (2025). Muscle growth and walking benefits health and wellbeing. Interview with BBC Pashto. 27 November 2025 https://youtu.be/ix5jr_LH6wI?si=eBM6cXKM_pwB_qPM
- Safi, A. (2025). The impact of excessive energy-drink consumption on health. Interview with BBC Pashto. August 2025. https://youtu.be/nzNZnoshzDk?si=X6OETmq6D_hoeQSz
- Safi, A. (2025). The importance of maintaining healthy and active lifestyle. Interview with BBC Pashto. 24 February 2025. https://youtu.be/uvVSczA7OD0?si=nFq7xYzx7flT_4dm
- Safi, A. (2024). Importance of engaging in physical activity during Ramadan. Interview with BBC Pashto. 27 March 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0bjOr44b8U
- Safi, A. (2024). Exercise, nutrition, health, and wellbeing. Interview with Voice of America (VOA). 23 March 2024. https://www.darivoa.com/a/7539774.html
- Safi, A. (2024). Five tips for a healthy Ramadan. Interview/Video with Birmingham City University PR. 13 March 2024. https://youtu.be/tU7PpqlZWtQ
- Safi, A. (2024). Nutrition, exercise, health and obesity. Interview with BBC Pashto. 11 March 2024. https://youtu.be/6fTcYRXjv6Y?si=rlylduaFDmOcUtm4
- 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/
