Professor Michael Harrison has worked at WIT / SETU since 1999.  He is Head of the Department of Sport and Exercise Science and a former Dean of the School of Science and Computing. His research, undertaken in conjunction with University Hospital Waterford and UPMC Whitfield, considers the impact of exercise for clinical populations, including age-related frailty and prostate cancer.  He has a specific interest in immune cell ageing and possible effects of these cells on vascular disease.  He is also engaged in the and evaluation of physical activity interventions targeting men using "pick-up football", which have a specific focus on cardiovascular disease.  

Professor Harrison has been part of different working groups relevant to physical activity for chronic conditions and exercise professionals.  He was Principal Investigator on the SETU team that developed the 2024 National Framework and Qualification Specification for Exercise Professionals who work with People with Long Term Conditions.  He Chaired the group that developed the 2025 National Physical Activity Guidelines for Ireland for Chronic Conditions and for Pregnancy and Postpartum. He is a former Chair of the Register of Exercise Professionals in Ireland and has sat on the Professional Standards Committee of the European Register of Exercise Professionals.  Professor Harrison holds a Fellowship from the American College of Sports Medicine.