Attending my first international conference was one of the most rewarding milestones of my PhD journey so far. In early September 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Kaunas, Lithuania, to take part in the HEPA (Health-Enhancing Physical Activity) Europe Conference, an event that brought together researchers, policymakers and practitioners from across Europe and beyond. This was my first time representing my research outside of Ireland. While I’ll admit to a few nerves, I was equally eager to share my findings and connect with others working in similar fields. The city of Kaunas provided a perfect backdrop, vibrant, welcoming and full of history, making the entire experience even more memorable.
Presenting my PhD research at an international level was both a challenge and a privilege. My presentation, ‘Recognition versus Action: An Examination of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport Policy in Ireland,’ explored how national policy documents engage with three key domains that shape young people’s health and wellbeing. The central question I sought to address was; do our policies merely recognise the importance physical education, physical activity, and youth sport, or, do they actively implement them through tangible strategies and actions?
Sharing this research at HEPA was a defining moment in my PhD journey. It sparked meaningful discussions about how other countries navigate similar tensions between policy ambition and practical delivery. Hearing how colleagues across Europe are addressing similar issues was both reassuring and inspiring. It highlighted that while our national contexts differ, our challenges and goals are often shared.
Beyond my own presentation, the conference was a masterclass in learning from others. From keynote speakers to interactive marketplace sessions, there was a constant exchange of ideas about how to make physical activity more inclusive, accessible and sustainable. Attending sessions on topics ranging from community health initiatives to school-based interventions broadened my perspective on how physical activity can be shaped and strengthened through genuine collaboration. Engaging in discussions with international experts provided invaluable feedback and fresh ways of thinking about my own work.
What stood out most throughout the conference was the strong sense of shared purpose among participants. Whether from academia, health organisations or government departments, everyone was united by a common goal to improve public health through movement. It was a powerful reminder that research doesn’t happen in isolation; it thrives through connection, conversation and collective action.
I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have represented my institution and to be part of such a motivated international community. Leaving Kaunas, I felt both inspired and re-energised. The conversations, feedback and friendships developed at HEPA will undoubtedly inform the next stages of my analysis and continue to shape how I think about policy impact. Above all, the experience reinforced my belief that bridging the gap between recognition and action is not only a research question, it’s a shared responsibility across all of us working to promote health and wellbeing through physical activity.
Mairéad Grogan PESS Intern in the Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences, UL.
Contact: groganmairead@ul.ie LinkedIn Follow on X
PESS News & Information 