UW to Host Physical Education International Conference June 8

Many of the world’s leading academics on the topic of physical education and sport pedagogy will descend on the University of Wyoming campus June 8-11 for the Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) International Conference.

The conference, titled “Blazing New Trails: Future Directions for Sports Pedagogy and Physical Activity,” is hosted by UW’s Division of Kinesiology and Health. The primary focus of the conference is to promote educational research in physical education and youth sport, and to identify future directions for sport pedagogy and physical activity.

Mark Byra, a professor of kinesiology and health, says UW was selected -- three years ago -- from three other proposals to host the 2016 AIESEP International Conference. This marks the first time, since 1995, that the conference will take place in the United States, says Derek Smith, associate professor and director of the Division of Kinesiology and Health.

“The selection process is highly competitive, and UW’s selection is owed to the internationally renowned physical education teaching researchers at UW,” including professors Byra, Karen Gaudreault, Jayne Jenkins and Tristan Wallhead, Smith says.

AIESEP is an international organization whose members are researchers interested in physical education, teaching and teacher education, and sport pedagogy, promoting educational research in physical education and youth sport. The association organizes a conference each year at different locations around the world.

This year’s conference includes oral and poster presentations; various workshop tracks for attendees; and recognition of those students receiving AIESEP Young Scholar Awards at the closing ceremony. The intent of the award, established in 2001, is to support the participation of early career scholars at AIESEP events and to recognize their scholarly promise.

“Hosting the 2016 AIESEP International Conference is a tremendous honor and privilege,” Smith says.

“The significance of hosting this conference is extensive in terms of research being conducted in physical education teaching, teacher education and sports pedagogy in the world,” Byra adds. “Many of the top researchers in the field of physical education teaching and teacher education/sport pedagogy from around the world are presenting in Laramie.”

There are 275 registered participants from 33 different countries. These include the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Israel, Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, China, Macau, Azerbaijan, India, Brazil, New Zealand, Switzerland and Australia.

“Keynote presentations range from the effect of physical activity on children’s health and strategies to increase activity levels to inequities in disabled youth participation in physical education and sport, curriculum and policy development,” Smith says. “This event brings together the pre-eminent experts in physical education and sport pedagogy, and the honor of hosting this conference highlights the research excellence at UW that is recognized across the world.”

Keynote speakers and the title of their presentations are:

-- Hayley Fitzgerald, reader, disability and youth sport at Leeds Beckett University in England, “The Place of Imagination in Blazing New Trails for Inclusive Youth Sport.”

-- Dawn Penney, professor of physical education and sport pedagogy at Monash University in Australia, “Innovation in Policy and Curriculum: Trailblazing, Smoke and Mirrors.”

-- Lars Bo Andersen, professor at the University of South Denmark’s Institute for Sport Sciences and Biomechanics, “Integrating Physical Activity in School.”

-- Hans Van Der Mars, professor of physical education at Arizona State University, “Today’s Sport Pedagogy -- Its Impact and Continued Relevance.”

Conference venues include the Wildcatter Suites at War Memorial Stadium, Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts, John Corbett Building and the Berry Biodiversity Conservation Center. The conference includes excursions to Vedauwoo Recreation Area Thursday, June 9, and Lake Marie in the Snowy Range Friday, June 10.

Parking is free in the parking lot located next to the Gateway Center’s north entrance.

For more information and a conference schedule, go to www.uwyo.edu/kandh/aiesep_2016/.