Jeffrey A. (Jeff) Russell, Ph.D., A.T.

Dr. Jeff Russell is a professor of Athletic Training and director of Science and Health in Artistic Performance (SHAPe) at Ohio University, where he is helping transform how performing artists receive health care.

Originally trained in sports medicine and orthopaedics, Russell found his new professional calling more than two decades ago when a dancer sought his help for an injury. That experience introduced him to a major gap in healthcare: dancers, musicians, actors, stunt performers, and other artists place extraordinary demands on their bodies but often lack access to specialized health services. Since then, Russell has dedicated his career to improving the health, safety, and performance of artistic populations.

At Ohio University, Russell founded the Clinic for Science and Health in Artistic Performance, or SHAPe Clinic, which provides specialized care for performing artists, including dancers, musicians, actors, production personnel, marching band members, and other performers. The clinic, created in 2013, also serves as a hub for research and education focused on the unique physical and mental health challenges faced by artists.

Russell leads a community-engaged research program examining injuries, concussion care, healthcare access, and performer well-being across dance, music, theatre, film, television, marching band, circus arts, and live entertainment. His work is especially recognized for advancing the understanding of head injuries among performers, an area that historically has received little scientific attention. His current research focuses heavily on concussions in stunt performers working in film, television, and live events, as well as dancers and other high-performance artists.

To advance safety in the entertainment industry, Russell founded the International Task Force on Head Impacts and Trauma in Stunts (HITS Task Force) in 2024. The initiative brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders to improve the recognition, management, and prevention of concussion and other head injuries among stunt performers.

Russell earned his PhD in Dance Medicine and Science from the University of Wolverhampton in England and previously taught and conducted research at the University of California, Irvine, where he helped establish healthcare services for dancers and investigated dance-related ankle injuries using advanced medical imaging. He remains active in international collaborations that connect science, medicine, and the performing arts.

A recognized leader in the field of performing arts medicine, Russell has served in leadership roles with several professional organizations and is committed to mentoring the next generation of clinicians and researchers. He also leads Ohio University's graduate certificate in Performing Arts Medicine and undergraduate certificate in Performing Arts Health and Wellness.

Among his recent accomplishments, Russell served as editor of Dance Injuries: Reducing Risk and Maximizing Performance, a textbook published by Human Kinetics that brings together leading experts from around the world to provide an authoritative resource on dance medicine and science.