As Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) I am delighted to introduce the PESS News and Information Blog. This venture aims to improve the dissemination of PESS stories to our multiple audiences enhancing our local, national and international impact. The site will host news and information on our Research, Teaching and Outreach endeavours along with Staff Biographies, Latest Publications and Opinion Pieces.
The research activities of PESS continue to impressively grow through four research themes – Food for Health, Physical Activity and Health, Sport and Human Performance and Sport Pedagogy. PESS also host two Research Centres – Centre for Physical Activity and Health Research (CPAHR) and Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport (PEPAYS) Ireland and one Research Unit – Biomechanics Research Unit (BRU). The PESS research infrastructure accommodates over 40 PhD students whose areas of study reside within at least one of the four PESS research themes. The PESS Research Committee oversee the research activities of PESS and provide funding for advertised PESS PhD Scholarships, PESS Internships and the PESS Pat Duffy Master Scholarships – each advertised widely at differing times throughout the academic year. A number of PESS faculty are internationally renowned and recognised for their research and a number of blog posts allude to this.
PESS offers two highly sought after undergraduate programmes – a BSc Physical Education and a BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences and three popular taught postgraduate programmes – Professional Masters in Education (Physical Education), MSc in Sports Performance and a MSc in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. Through the National Council for Exercise and Fitness (NCEF), PESS delivers a Certificate, Diploma and BSc in Exercise and Health Fitness. The PESS Teaching and Learning Committee oversee the teaching and learning activities of PESS.
UL Beo captures a significant amount of PESS service activity with players, athletes, sporting teams and community initiatives. The UL Beo Lecture Series continues to focus on the performance and health of athletes and provides opportunities to learn about nutritional strategies, bone health and psychological strategies. UL Beo has played a central part in the reconfiguration of UL Sport Scholarships and continues to champion for a shared physical activity and sport vision across the university, including a Health Promoting University. Through an associated Experimental Officer, UL Beo provides sport science support to a number of players and athletes while collecting data for related research studies.
The PESS department has developed strategic and research links with a number of organisations such as Coaching Ireland, Physical Education Association of Ireland (PEAI), National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), Health Service Executive (HSE), Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), Munster Rugby and Limerick Sports Partnership.
PESS is a vibrant context in which to research, teach, work with communities and study. All PESS staff are committed to advancing knowledge, professional practice and policy in the related fields of physical education, sport and exercise sciences and physical activity through high quality and innovative teaching, research and service to the university and wider community.
You can follow the blog by receiving email notifications. If you are looking to revisit information that was on the PESS web site you still have that option by accessing the ‘PESS WEB’ icon on the left-hand side of the page.
Professor Ann MacPhail is Head of Department for the PESS Department and Professor in Physical Education. View Ann’s profile here.
Ann’s Email Address: Ann.MacPhail@ul.ie
Ann’s Twitter: @AnnMacPhail1
For Further Information:
PESS News & Information 