The University of Alberta: Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation | 1

TRAdiTion. ExcEllEncE. divERsiTy.

2 | Together We Can...

The Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at The University

of Alberta is dedicated to the art and science of human movement.

We aim to inspire the human spirit through meaningful inquiry into

physical activity, sport and leisure, contribute to good health, and

improve the well-being of people of all skill levels and abilities

throughout their lives.

We aim to inspire

The University of Alberta: Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation | 3

Our faculty is committed to achieving our vision through:

• Relevant Researchwithhigh-performanceorrecreationalathletesandcommunitymembers

• Educational Excellencethatcombinesacademicpursuitswithathleticsandrecreationservicesprograms

• Outreachthatenrichesthehealthandqualityoflifeforindividualsinthelocalandglobalcommunities

Established in 1946,the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation is a research and education leader in the areas of physical activity, health and leisure studies.

1,000+undergraduate and graduate students

525 student-athletes

43 faculty members

15 coaches

4 | Together We can...

The University of Alberta: Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation | 5

With your support, our researchers

can continue to conduct diverse,

relevant research that will contribute

to the public good, prevent illness

and save lives.

You can help us challenge and inspire

students to reach for their physical,

intellectual and social potential.

The curiosity, discovery and engagement

of our faculty, researchers and

students will continue to benefit

communities locally and abroad.

We will do so in an integrated

environment, creating a rich learning

experience for faculty and students.

You have an essential role to play

in the sustainability and growth

of our Faculty.

Together We Can achieve

the extraordinary.

6 | Together We can...

Text to go here if you’d likeWith rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases soaring, the work of

our researchers is more relevant and necessary than ever. Their study of exercise

motivation, population health, and physical activity is shedding new light on the

power of physical activity in preventing and controlling major diseases.

Relevant, Wide-RangingResearch

The University of Alberta: Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation | 7

Researchspansabroadspectrum–frombiomechanicstoneurophysiology,fromleisurestudiestosportmanagementandtheeducationofcoaches.

• Dr. Kerry Courneya,holderoftheCanada Research

Chair in Physical Activity and Cancer,andhisteamintheBehaviouralMedicineLaboratoryaregeneratingnewknowledgeonhowphysicalactivitycanhelppreventcancer,mitigatethesideeffectsofcancertreatment,andimprovethechancesofsurvivalandqualityoflife.Inonestudy,Courneyafoundthatbreastcancerpatientswhoexercisedsoonaftertheirtreatmenthadmoreenergyforeverydayactivitiesthatmakelifeworthliving.

• Drs. Normand Boulé, Gordon Bell, and Wendy

RodgersareassociatedwiththePhysicalActivityandDiabetesLaboratory.Theirgoalistounderstandtherelationshipbetweenphysicalactivity,obesityandType2diabetes,andtodeviseeffectiveexerciseandbehaviour-modificationstrategies.

• NeuroscientistDr. David CollinsheadstheHumanNeurophysiologyLaboratory,whichisfocusedonunderstandinghowthenervoussystemcontrolshumanmovement.Histeamstudiestheuseofelectricalstimulationforrehabilitationofpeoplewithmovementdisorders.Dr.Collinsiscontributingtoknowledgethatmayimprovethequalityoflifeofpatientsafflictedbystroke,traumaticbraininjury,spinalcordinjury,andneurologicaldisorders.

• Dr. Nick Holt,asportpsychologist,isdirectoroftheChildandAdolescentSportandActivityLab.Hisresearchfocusesonthepsychosocialaspectsofyouthsport,physicalactivity,andphysical

education,includinghowkidsinteractwiththeirpeersandfamilies.Healsostudiestreatmentpreferencesofoverweightchildrenandtheirfamilies.Hisgoalistotranslatehisappliedresearchfindingsintopracticetoimprovethephysicalandmentalwell-beingofchildren,teensandtheirfamilies.

• Dr. Tanya BerryholdstheCanada Research Chair

in Physical Activity Promotion.Dr.Berryfocusesonthepsychologyofexercisemotivation.Sheisstudyinghowthemindprocesseshealthmessagesinordertodesignmoreeffectivemessagesthatwillresultinhealthybehaviours.

• Dr. Stewart PetersenintheWorkPhysiologyLabisstudyingthephysicaldemandsonfirstresponderssuchasfirefighters,policeofficers,militarydiversandsearch-and-rescuepersonnel.Amongotherthings,heisdevelopingnewfitnesstestingforemergencyresponders.

• Dr. Donna GoodwinisoneofCanada’sleadingscholarsinadaptedphysicalactivity.Sheiscurrentlydocumentingthetransitionofindividualsfromrehabilitationprogramstophysicalactivityprogramsinthecommunity.Thisknowledgemayhelpimprovetheeffectivenessofphysicalactivityprogramsforpeopleexperiencingimpairment.

• LeisurestudiesprofessorDr. Gordon Walkerfocusesonsocialpsychologyandcross-culturalaspectsofleisuretheory.Heisparticularlyinterestedinhowcultureandethnicityaffectleisurebehaviour.Thisknowledgeincreasestheawarenessofhowleisureimpactsqualityoflife,particularlyinthelivesofnewcomerstoCanada.

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EducationalExcellence

Text to go here if you’d likeOur students are challenged and inspired to reach their potential physically,

intellectually and socially, through a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees

spanning the arts and sciences.

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Theundergraduatedegreeinkinesiologyisawell-regardedfoundationaldegreeforstudentstoenterprofessionalprogramssuchasmedicine,pharmacyandrehabilitationmedicine.

Science,research,education,artisticexpressionandrecreationallcometogetherinourdanceprogram–awonderfulexampleoftherichdiversityinourfaculty.Studentshavetheopportunitytostudydanceandperform,throughacademicprogramsatboththeundergraduateandgraduatelevels.Andthegeneralpubliccanparticipateinourtwodancegroups–iDANCEandOrchesisDanceGroup–regardlessoftheirlevelofability.

MembersoftheFacultyofPhysicalEducationandRecreationhavewonmajorteachingawards.Dr. Billy Streanisasportpsychologyprofessorwhoseexcellenceanddedicationtoteachingwasrecognizedin2011witha3MNationalTeachingFellowship.ThisisthehighesthonourauniversityeducatorcanreceiveinCanada.

Dr. Gordon BellisanaccomplishedexercisephysiologyresearcherandwinnerofaRutherfordaward–aprestigiousteachingawardgivenbytheUniversityofAlbertarecognizingexcellenceinundergraduateteaching.

Studentshavealsoearnedmajorscholarlyrecognition.In2009,Danielle Peers,awheelchairbasketballParalympicbronzemedalist,wonaVanierCanadaGraduateScholarship,themostprestigiousawardfordoctoralstudentsinCanada.Andin2011shereceivedanotherhigh-profilenationalaward–aTrudeauScholarship.Peershopestochangelivesforthebetterwithherresearchintosocialperceptionstowarddisability.

10 | Together We can...

CommunityOutreach

Text to go here if you’d likeWe value and promote community and international engagement.

Our professors, staff and students are involved in worthwhile activities

that contribute to communities near and far.

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TheFree2BMeprogramatthefaculty’sSteadwardCentrehelpslocalkidsbecomehealthy,strongandconfidentthroughawiderangeofadaptivefitnessandmovementactivities.Childrenbetweentheagesoffourand19canexplorephysicalactivitiessuchascycling,swimming,martialarts,hockey,danceandmoreregardlessoftheirlevelofabilityorphysicalimpairment.

Dr. John Spence,anacademicwithanationalreputation,andJudith Down,directoroftheAlbertaCentreforActiveLiving,havebeenhonouredwiththeQueenElizabethIIDiamondJubileeMedal“fortheirsignificantcontributionstomakingphysicalactivityaprioritywithintheircommunityandwithinthecountry.”

Dr.Spence,thefaculty’sassociatedeanofresearch,hasconductedgroundbreakingresearchexamininghowthephysicalenvironmentmayinfluencephysicalactivitychoicesandriskforobesity(urbanplanning,locationoffoodestablishments),andtheroleof

policyinitiativessuchastaxcreditsforpromotingphysicalactivity.HeservesontheresearchadvisorycommitteesofParticipACTION,thenationalvoiceofphysicalactivityandsportparticipationinCanada,andActiveHealthyKidsCanada.

International EngagementWeofferourstudentstheopportunitytolearnandexperienceotherculturesthroughexchangeandstudyabroadprograms.

OurPlay Around the Worldservice-learningcourse,forexample,isopentoallUniversityofAlbertastudents,helpingthemdevelopintoglobalcitizens.Thisprogramselectsandpreparesupto12studentsforathree-monthplacementinThailandandCambodia,wheretheyprovideopportunitiesforplayandrecreationtounderservedpopulations.Inturn,thestudentshaveanopportunitytobroadentheirworldviewastheylive,learn,andworkinadifferentculture.

Translating Knowledge to Benefit Communities

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www.giving.ualberta.ca

You Can Make a Difference

DonationstotheFacultyofPhysicalEducationandRecreationhaveanimmediateandmeaningfulimpactonstudents,researchers,faculty,staffandprograms.Yourcommitmenthelpsustobeagloballeaderinoutstandinglearninganddiscovery.Together We Canattracttoptalent,betterpreparestudentstosucceedinarapidlychangingsociety,andadvancemeaningfuldiscoveriesthatserveAlbertaandtheworld.

For more information on making a donation to the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, please contact:

Eric UptonDirector of AdvancementFaculty of Physical Education and RecreationUniversity of AlbertaTel: 780-492-6277Email: eupton@ualberta.ca

“If I could talk to the donors, I would thank them for changing me and so many others, and for giving us a new perspective on the world to bring back to our community. You have done more for us than you could ever imagine.”

—Blue Knox, a third-year student and Play Around the World participant