Professor Stephen Lord is a distinguished leader in geriatric neuroscience and falls prevention research, internationally recognized for his transformative contributions to understanding and addressing falls in older populations. He currently holds the prestigious position of Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales and serves as a Senior Principal Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia in Sydney, where he has maintained a continuous research appointment since 1994. His career has been marked by exceptional dedication to improving the lives of older adults through rigorous scientific investigation of balance, gait, and fall risk factors. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Professor Lord received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of the British Geriatrics Society in December 2019, cementing his status as a global authority in geriatric medicine and neuroscience.
Professor Lord has authored an impressive body of scholarly work comprising over 600 scientific publications that have fundamentally advanced the understanding of physiological risk factors contributing to falls among older adults and clinical populations. His pioneering research has systematically elucidated the sensorimotor factors underpinning balance and gait, establishing evidence-based frameworks for fall risk assessment that have been widely adopted by researchers and clinicians across the globe. He has made significant contributions to the development and rigorous evaluation of targeted exercise programs for older individuals at increased risk of falls, including those with Parkinson's disease, stroke, dementia, and frailty. His influential research book 'Falls in Older People – risk factors and prevention strategies' serves as a comprehensive resource that synthesizes decades of investigation and guides current clinical practice in geriatric care worldwide.
Beyond his scholarly contributions, Professor Lord actively engages in initiatives aimed at translating falls prevention evidence into clinical policy and practice, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to real-world impact that improves patient outcomes. His current research portfolio includes innovative projects such as the development of digital gait biomarkers, cognitive-motor interventions, and the SAFE-PD study focused on stepping to avoid falls events in people with Parkinson's disease. He continues to expand his influential work into new clinical populations including those with multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and cognitive impairment, ensuring his research remains at the forefront of geriatric neuroscience. Through his mentorship of numerous researchers and collaborative approach to scientific inquiry, Professor Lord continues to shape the future direction of falls prevention research while maintaining his position as a leading international authority in his field.
