After an unprecedented medal haul in Beijing, and with expectations set high for London 2012, Team GB athletes are leading the world in a range of of sporting disciplines. But behind every medal lies years of research in fields as diverse as nutrition and design to psychology and computing.

The six-part series called ‘Cutting Edge 2012: The Research Behind Sport’ will feature world-class, home grown researchers and top Team GB stars.

Modern athletics draws on a huge variety of cutting-edge research to push the boundaries of achievement. In the dramatic setting of Sheffield's EIS Team GB legend Roger Black will be joined by Professor Chris Cooper an expert in the physiology of top athletes and Dr Rob Harle, a lead researcher in the development of innovative video and body sensor technologies to aid the training of both novice and elite athletes.

Professor Steve Haake, will host this interactive and thought-provoking evening, featuring live athletics demonstrations and Dr David James will lead discussions on how far research and new technologies should be used in the quest to win gold.

Tickets are free, but must be booked in advance.

To attend this event please click here.

‘This is a Research Councils UK event in partnership with the Royal Institution, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, The Institution of Engineering and Technology and Podium (the Further and Higher Education Unit for the 2012 Game.’