Saeed Forghany

Biography

Dr Saeed Forghany is an NIHR Research Fellow in Health Data Science at Keele University. His work combines clinical orthotics, biomechanics and health data science to improve the prediction and prevention of diabetes-related foot complications.

He completed his PhD in Orthotics and Biomechanics at the University of Salford in 2009. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Salford and was previously Professor of Orthotics and Prosthetics at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, where he also held departmental leadership and educational management roles. His research experience includes postdoctoral appointments in the UK, Australia and Spain.

Alongside his academic work, he is a Senior Orthotist and Gait Analyst at London Orthotic Consultancy in Manchester, providing assessment and orthotic management for children and adults with complex movement and musculoskeletal conditions.

In 2026, he received the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Researcher of the Year Award in recognition of his contribution to research within the profession.

Research and scholarship

Dr Forghany’s research focuses on understanding the factors that influence mobility, tissue loading and orthotic outcomes, and translating this knowledge into better clinical assessment and treatment.

His current NIHR fellowship develops expertise in artificial intelligence and advanced biostatistics for diabetes-related foot care. His work includes an umbrella review of risk factors for diabetic foot ulceration across biopsychosocial and tissue-stress domains, alongside the development of a conceptual framework for dynamic risk prediction. The aim is to inform more personalised prevention by considering how risk changes over time.

He previously worked as a researcher and trial manager on the LOad Monitoring and Intervention System (LOMIS) project, investigating wearable technology for diabetic foot ulcer prevention. This work included the evaluation of plantar pressure and shear measurement.

His wider research interests include foot and ankle biomechanics, footwear and foot orthoses, neurological and paediatric orthotics, cerebral palsy, scoliosis bracing, and the evaluation of gait analysis methods and emerging orthotic technologies.

Teaching

Dr Forghany has taught at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels in orthotics and prosthetics and related rehabilitation disciplines. His teaching experience includes biomechanics, lower-limb orthoses, foot orthoses, pathological gait, research methods, electromyography and orthotic management of neurological conditions.

He has held senior educational leadership roles at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, including Head of the Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics and Deputy Head of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences for Education. He also led the development of the master’s curriculum in orthotics and prosthetics in Iran.

Further information

Dr Forghany is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council as a prosthetist and orthotist. His professional memberships include the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists, Foot in Diabetes UK, the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, and the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Community.

He completed the BAPO Leadership Programme in 2025.

Supervision

Dr Forghany’s supervision and co-supervision experience includes 25 master’s research projects and 11 doctoral projects across orthotics and prosthetics, physiotherapy and robotics.

His supervisory interests include clinical biomechanics, gait analysis, orthotic interventions, diabetic foot prevention, footwear, wearable technologies and rehabilitation research.

Collaborations and grants awards

Dr Forghany’s research involves collaborations across Keele University, the University of Salford, London Orthotic Consultancy and international academic partners. His NIHR fellowship is supported by mentorship from Christopher Nester, Danielle van der Windt, and Neil Reeves.

His international research experience includes collaboration with La Trobe University in Australia and INESCOP in Spain. He has also contributed evidence reviews supporting the development of World Health Organization standards for prosthetics and orthotics services.

Selected funding and awards include:

• NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Fellowship, 2024–2026: Advanced Predictive Modelling for Diabetes Foot Care using AI and Advanced Biostatistics.
• BAPO Researcher of the Year Award, 2026.
• Best Teaching Faculty Member Award, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2020.
• Australian Government Endeavour postdoctoral research fellowship, La Trobe University, 2015.
• Overseas Research Students Awards Scheme (ORSAS) award, University of Salford, 2005.