2022 AIESEP World Congress program and speakers
View keynote speakers, social program details and committee members for the 2022 AIESEP World Congress.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is committed to advancing sustainable development through comprehensive initiatives that promote economic prosperity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance for all.
Keynote Speakers
Tara Blackshear
Tara B. Blackshear is an assistant professor of Kinesiology and the Physical Education Teacher Education program coordinator at Towson University.
Her research focus examines the impact of racism in health, physical activity, and education formed from experiences as an outsider in predominately white spaces. As an equity scholar committed to social justice for all, she challenges structures that negatively impact the welfare of Black people and other racialized groups.
Dr. Blackshear has previous experience as a licensed teacher in the United States, Egypt, and Thailand and is co-author of the book, Critical Race Studies in Physical Education.
Twitter: @Tara Blackshear
Xiaozan Wang
Professor Xiaozan Wang is from the College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University. She is a former president of the International Chinese Society for Physical Activities and Health, and Vice President of International Society for Comparative Physical Education and Sports.
Her research interests are in curriculum of physical education and teaching reform, learning evaluation of physical education, physical education teachers education, physical education monitoring and management of adolescents. She has led and directed many national initiatives in physical education, including physical education and health course criterion, physical education learning assessment system of middle and elementary school.
She also has presided over UNESCO-funded projects in the Asia-Pacific region, major projects of the National Social Science Fund. She has edited more than 54 books and textbooks, and published more than 150 academic papers at AERA, AAHPERD, AIESEP, NASPE and other domestic and international academic conferences. She was the first female Changjiang Scholars of the Chinese Ministry of Education.
Lars Borghouts
Lars Borghouts obtained a PhD in Human Movement Sciences from Maastricht University (2000), studying muscle physiology in diabetes. He is with Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven, since 2002, and gradually got more involved in physical education (PE) research over recent years. He founded the Fontys master’s programme in PE, which he coordinated from 2009 until 2017.
Lars teaches at both the PE bachelor’s and master’s level, and (co-) supervises several PhD students. His current research interests include PE-assessment, lesson study, motivational climate and the use of action cams for lesson observations.
Twitter: @larsborghouts
Braden Hill
Professor Braden Hill (he/him) is a Noongar (Wardandi) man from Western Australia and the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equity and Indigenous) and Head of Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University’s Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research.
He has significant experience in Aboriginal education, as well as leading a range of equity initiatives including Athena SWAN, Respect Now Always, Reconciliation Action Plan and Disabilities and Access Inclusion Plan within the sector.
His current portfolio responsibilities include leading ECU ’s enabling and access pathways, its commitment to Indigenous education and research, equity and inclusion initiatives and working across the University to provide an environment that supports the success of, students and staff from a range of diverse backgrounds. He also has a background in secondary education prior to entering into academia.
Twitter: @BradenRHill LinkedIn: Braden Hill
Doune MacDonald
2022 Cagigal Scholar
After an early career in teaching, Doune returned to The University of Queensland (UQ) while undertaking her PhD in Education at Deakin University. In 1998 she won an Australian Award for University Teaching. She has published 16 books and more than 200 book chapters and research papers in curriculum, policy and equity and has undertaken curriculum evaluations for state and national initiatives as well as being the Lead Writer for Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education.
Doune served as the Head of the School of Human Movement Studies (2004-2013) and is currently the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at UQ, where she is responsible for achieving the University’s teaching and learning objectives. She serves on the Board of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), is the International Fellow representative of the National Academic of Kinesiology (USA), and is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Jellurgal – Burleigh Heads National Park scenic tour
Delegates were invited to join us for a walk where ancient volcanic remains meet the sea. In winter we may spot migrating humpback whales making the journey north to warmer waters. After a short trip on public transport using your free travel card, you will arrive at Jellurgal, Burleigh Heads National Park.
The walk took about 30 minutes alongside Tallebudgera Creek and past Echo Beach (pictured), where delegates saw culturally significant sites including ancient Indigenous middens-evidence of rich traditional use by Aboriginal people who used Tallebudgera Creek and neighbouring beaches to gather shellfish and net fish, oysters and prawns.
As we wandered through the rainforest, we will also saw six-sided basalt columns, which travelled all the way from the Wollumbin, Mt Warning in the Tweed Valley, millions of years ago. Javreen’s resting place is visible on the Headland.
We finished our walk on the surfside of Burleigh Headland with a spectacular view north of the Gold Coast over the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Learn Indigenous Games
Dr Ken Edwards, author of Yulunga Games and world leader in Indigenous Australian Games co-lead this activity with Dr Brendan SueSee, a passionate Queensland-based academic with expertise in evidence-based pedagogic practices for health and physical education and sport. Together, they shared games from the oldest living continuous culture in the world – older than the Great Pyramids!
We played traditional Indigenous games and learned about their origins, while providing some new ideas for delegate's pedagogical toolkit.
Beach cricket and BBQ
There is nothing as satisfying as coming in off a long run up, bowling a yorker to the batter and seeing the bails fly as your mates give him a send-off and you’re as happy as Larry!
If you have no idea what we are talking about then this was the event for you – Beach Cricket followed by a barbie/BBQ! and prawns.
Delegates caught the Light Rail to the beach to play the great Aussie modified game of beach cricket followed by the culinary delights of a BBQ in the park.
No need to wear your best clobber or be dressed to the nines – this event is about the things uniquely Australian in this part of the world – being outside in winter, enjoying the beauty of the surroundings, having a snag, a rissole or a salad and knocking back a coldie, lolly-water or a vino with your mates! Once again, if you’ve got no idea what we are talking about, then this was the event for you!
Opt-in Whale Watching Tour
AIESEP delegates were invited to participate in a Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching Tour on Friday 17 June.
Getting around the Gold Coast
In-person delegates received complimentary Gold Coast Light Rail travel over the 4 days of the conference and the option to hire e-bikes on-campus. Griffith University is on the Gold Coast Light Rail network and is an access point for Lime e-bikes. Our campus is connected to a huge network of bike lanes and trails connecting you to accommodation, the beach and tourist destinations.
Find out more about campus transport options Download the Lime e-bike app Download the My G:App (tram schedule) Download Griffith campus maps
Conference Organising Committee
Conference Co-Chair
Dr Sue Whatman
Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy | School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland.
Professor Maree Dinan Thompson
Deputy Vice Chancellor – Students | James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland.
Scientific Committee Chair
Professor Dawn Penney
Professorial Research Fellow | School of Education, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia.
Committee Members
Dr Ben Williams
Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education | School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland.
Dr Cassandra Iannucci
Lecturer in Health and Physical Education | Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Victoria
Dr Eimear Enright
Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education | School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland
Dr Leigh Sperka
Lecturer in Health and Physical Education | School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland
Dr Brendan Suesee
Senior Lecturer (Health and Physical Education) | School of Education, Southern Queensland University, Springfield, Queensland
Dr Carla Nascimento Luguetti
Lecturer in Physical Education and Health | Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria
Social Program
The Gold Coast was the venue for this conference and is one of Australia's premier holiday destinations. Famous for its beaches, surf, theme parks, shopping, nightlife and hinterland, the Gold Coast has been attracting discerning holidaymakers for many decades. With 70 kilometres of uninterrupted coastline and beautiful rainforest hinterland, conference delegates will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing how they will spend their social time.
Delegates who joined us on the Gold Coast were welcome to participate in a host of social programs, including: