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
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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
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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
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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
12 | Together We can...
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: [email protected]
“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