HPE invites renowned international scholars to share research findings in adapted physical education
Participants in Dr McKay’s online seminar on social inclusion.
The Education University of Hong Kong emphasises the translation of research results and findings into the promotion of positive change in education, social development and the enhancement of human well-being. In the field of physical education, adapted physical education and adapted physical activity are some of the strategic research areas that the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) wants to further develop. To bring greater awareness of these research areas, HPE invited two international scholars to share knowledge and skills with our students and faculty.
Dr Klavina (right) shares her research findings in an online seminar.
On 11 October 2021, an online seminar titled “Adapted Physical Activity Study Programs and Practical Examples of Adapted Sports in Europe” was given by Dr Aija Klavina, a professor at the Lithuanian Sports University in Kaunas and chief researcher at the Latvian Academy of Sport Education in Riga. She has been the president of the European Federation of Adapted Physical Activities (EUFAPA) since 2018.
During the seminar, Dr Klavina introduced the development of education programmes on adapted physical activity in Europe. She also shared her research experiences on the two sub-topics of “Collaborative teaching instructions in inclusive physical education” and “Applicable measurements for physical activity across the different groups with disability-specific considerations”. At the end of the seminar, she led discussions about future challenges and other potential topics in the adapted physical education and healthcare industry.
Dr McKay presents her research work in an online seminar on social inclusion.
In November, Dr Cathy McKay, Associate Professor from the Department of Kinesiology of James Madison University in USA, shared with us her research findings in two online seminars entitled “The power of peer group: Utilizing the Parasport education to promote social inclusion in school-based physical education” and “University and community-based Parasport education and awareness: Informing perceptions and promoting inclusivity”.
Dr Cathy McKay is currently the Research Fellow with the Research Council of Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America, the Vice President of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA), and is an Affiliated Faculty Member with the Centre for Sport, Peace, and Society at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The first seminar covered Dr McKay’s research related to social inclusion and the way Parasport education promotes a change of attitudes and perceptions of peers without disabilities toward peers with disabilities. The second keynote speech focused on her research related to contact theory, which hypothesises that social interaction between different groups, when executed under the appropriate contact conditions, will foster acceptance and reduce prejudice. As an award-winning scholar in the field of adapted physical activity and adapted physical education, Dr McKay said she believes that Parasport has the power to “change societies and promote inclusion, equity, and ultimately peace.”
Besides delivering keynotes, Dr Klavina and Dr McKay also led student presentations and conducted individual consultations to promote research collaboration, foster international connections, and offer scholarly feedback to the faculty at HPE. Dr McKay also provided professional training for students aspiring to become PE teachers, professionals in sports and health.
Dr Bob Sun Fenghua from HPE thanked Dr Klavina and Dr McKay for their insightful sharing. He said, “HPE is committed to connecting with the international academic community and promoting knowledge exchange between Hong Kong and international scholars. In future, we will continue to invite more scholars as part of the internationalization initiative of our department and FLASS.”
