Blake McLean is an Associate Professor in Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation and Director of the post-graduate High Performance Sport program.

Blake’s early passion for sport led him down the path of studying Human Movement Studies (now re-named Sport and Exercise Science) at UTS. Blake has spent 18 years working in the areas of sports science and strength and conditioning in high-performance departments within the AFL, NRL, NBA and USA collegiate sport.

His research includes a heavy focus on how industry-embedded projects can directly impact the quality of programs delivered to elite athletes.

“As a Performance Scientist, a big part of the role is trying to quantify what the athletes are doing, how they are responding, and using that information to help develop well-informed training programs,” Blake said. “Well-executed industry-embedded research can help a program learn about specific questions, which have high relevance to that organisation and sport."

Blake is involved in a number of international industry research collaborations, aiming to develop best-practice human performance models and support evidence-led decision-making in the pursuit of optimal health and performance.

Blake is passionate about the intersection between teaching and research, and how these concepts collide around a lifetime of learning.

“I am keen to connect with the industry in different ways, that may not necessarily be through our traditional degrees and research publications."

“Our industry has a thirst for knowledge, and people are looking for a range of different ways to engage with high-quality learning experiences. At UTS, I would like to continue to blur the line between teaching and research, to support learners throughout their entire career journey.”


Blake also serves as part of the Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Sports Science Working Group and holds the following industry accreditations:
Accredited High Performance Manager (AHPM) | Exercise and Sports Science Australia Accredited Sports Scientist (ASpS2) | Exercise and Sports Science Australia
Exercise and Sports Science Australia Member (ESSAM) | Exercise and Sports Science Australia
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), National Strength & Conditioning Associations