Social Justice in Sport & PE: Future Directions – A Collaborative Dialogue
In September 2024, we launched the Social Justice Special Interest Group (SJ-SIG) within AIESEP, with a mission to champion equity, inclusion, and diversity in Health, Physical Education, and Sport Pedagogy. Our goal is to create collaborative spaces where educators, researchers, and practitioners can work together to challenge oppressive systems, promote social justice, and foster inclusive, equitable environments—especially for marginalized communities.
This blog post introduces the work of the SJ-SIG and invites you to join our effort to promote socially just practices within our discipline. We also want to encourage the broader AIESEP community to reflect on how we, as scholar-activists, can lead in socially just ways both within and outside of our academic work.
What is the SJ-SIG and how can you get involved?
The SJ-SIG aims to provide a platform for any AIESEP member committed to addressing inequities within Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. Our mission is to create inclusive spaces that empower marginalized voices while dismantling systems of oppression, such as sexism, racism, ableism, and homophobia. We want to ensure that our work reflects the values of equity, inclusion, and justice.
You can find more information about the SJ-SIG’s mission and objectives on the AIESEP website. We encourage you to join us and become part of this growing community.
A call to action: Leading social justice in sport & PE
In the upcoming AIESEP Connect, we want to spark a conversation about the role of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy in creating a socially just world. As scholar-activists, we must ask ourselves how we can use our positions to lead in ways that challenge and transform oppressive systems, both inside and outside our classrooms.
The disconnect between our field and real-world social issues is something we must acknowledge. Too often, PE feels isolated from the broader societal challenges we face. Whether we’re discussing global issues like the genocide in Palestine or the everyday discrimination experienced by marginalized students, it’s essential that we recognize our role in addressing these concerns.
Many academics and teacher educators can also feel removed from the realities of the classroom, which leads to a disconnect between research and practice. The AIESEP connect seeks to bridge that gap by ensuring our scholarship is connected to the lived experiences of both educators and students. We can’t afford to remain passive or disconnected from the injustices around us.
Engaging in the conversation: What can we do?
In our upcoming AIESEP Connect, we’ll be joined by scholars who are leading conversations on social justice within our field. They’ll share their thoughts on how physical educators and sport pedagogues can engage with pressing social justice issues and lead the way in transforming our practices.
During this Connect event, we’ll explore important questions like: How can we challenge the oppressive structures that exist in PE and Sport? How do we create inclusive spaces for all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds?
Join Via MS Teams
ID: 365 755 061 959 P: 92Br3k5o
Moving Forward Together
The work of the SJ-SIG is about more than just academic conversations; it’s about action. As scholar-activists, we have a responsibility to challenge the status quo and promote social change. The SJ-SIG is a platform where we can collaborate, share ideas, and push for systemic change in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy.
We invite all AIESEP members to join us in this important work. Together, we can build a more inclusive and just future in our field and in society. Join us at the next AIESEP Connect, and let’s continue this journey together.
