I did a fantastic project as an elective module, even raising sponsorship

For my project, I surveyed the UK's current mountain biking event provision to identify best practice and suggest further improvements. The UK is already a world leader in this industry but there are always ways to improve, especially as it's a relatively new sport.

I was lucky to get a research grant from the University's Reinvention Centre [now part of the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning] which allowed me to travel and interview event organisers, including the Directors of the top UK race series and the World Championships. My research led into further work with British Cycling, the governing body of cycling in the UK, where I worked on projects to improve safety at events and develop a strategy for improving race venues throughout the UK. There are a variety of different problems facing organisers, but by understanding trends and enabling businesses involved in the sport to cater to the growing population of competitors, we are able to secure a positive future for the industry.

I am now working and studying in La Paz, Bolivia, and spend my free time exploring the Andes by bike!

Dan Harmon, BSc International Business with French 2003