Hello AIESEP Friends,
We have a lot to cover! Nominations for the 2026-2030 board are open, the early bird registration has been extended to March 31st for Taipei 2026, we’ve announced the 2026 AIESEP fellows, and we’re continuing to plan a really exciting 2026 World Congress in Taipei.
You can follow all AIESEP updates on our LinkedIn which is where you can find AIESEP Connect event links. We are now also on Instagram!
Here are the updates:
- Registration for AIESEP 2026 is OPEN! The Early Bird Registration has been extended to March 31st. The conference will run June 15th to 19th, 2026. The conference website is live https://2026aiesep.org/ and will continue being updated! Basic travel information can be found here, and visa information can be found here . A podcast about Taiwan can be found here (episode 384 in Playing with Research in Health and Physical Education Podcast), and the companion blog, with hyperlinks to all the recommendations can be found here. Everyone is urged to book hotels early before they fill up. There are 13 hotels listed as options with varying distances by foot, metro, and taxi here. Finally, in addition to checking if you need a VISA!! Everyone needs to submit a Taiwan Arrival Card before you travel to Taipei in June (must be completed a minimum 3 days before arrival): https://twac.immigration.gov.tw/
- AIESEP is excited to announce the 2026 AIESEP Fellows. The purpose of the AIESEP Fellowship is to recognize scholarly excellence in research in physical education, physical activity and sport pedagogy across the lifespan and to recognize excellence in professional practice in physical education, physical activity and sport pedagogy across the lifespan. The two fellows will be honored during the 2026 Taiwan Conference. The 2026 AIESEP Fellows are:
Dr. Erin Centeio (University of Hawaii, USA)
Dr. Ash Casey (Loughborough University, UK)
- The AIESEP Early Career Scholar Awards have been announced. you can read more about them here. The Developing Country Scholar Awards have also been announced. You can read about them here.
- If you are an early career scholar we hope that you will fill out this survey to help build out a mentoring program AIESEP is preparing, and if you are a person interested in becoming a mentor or supporting early career scholars please fill this survey
- Nominations for the 2026-2030 AIESEP Board of Directors are now open. Nominations will close May 1st. Voting will be conducted online synchronously during the general assembly in Taipei, and all members will get a personal link via email to vote. All the information for the elections can be found here. You will be asked to make a 2min video introducing yourself and your vision for the future board, in addition to filling out the application. There are 6 institutional, and 6 individual board members open for nominations in addition to the Secretary General and President positions.
- It’s that time of year to RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! If you have an annual membership, it expired Dec 31st. You can renew here. Not sure if you have a multi-year membership? To check membership status go to “Login” at the top right corner of the AIESEP website, and click on “Orders” then “View” and you can see the last purchase you made for a membership. Remember, in order to run for a board of directors position, your membership must be up to date.
- The EDI Policy for AIESEP has been launched. The video that was a part of an AIESEP connect can be found here. You can read the full EDI policy here and learn more about the process of how this was developed.
- The final keynote and one that acts as the prestigious Cagigal Lecture at AIESEP 2026 will be delivered by Professor Ashley Casey (Loughborough University, UK). The title of Dr. Casey’s Cagigal Lecture is Practices, Practicing, and Praxis: Cultivating curiosity and freedom through physical education
Here is Dr. Casey’s bio:
Professor Ashley Casey (Ash) is Professor of Physical Education and Pedagogy and Director of Teacher Education at Loughborough University. He is Editor-in-Chief of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, the 2024 British Educational Research Association PESP Scholar Lecturer, and a 2023 National Teaching Fellow. Internationally recognised for his work on models-based practice in physical education, his research informs teaching across schools and universities worldwide. A former PE teacher, Ash now works closely with teachers, schools, and organisations to improve physical education through research, collaboration, and public engagement.
- An update from the Spectrum Institute:
Spectrum is excited to turn our yearly newsletter to a biannual release, now every March and September. Come take a look at the exciting deadlines and upcoming events in March 2026 / Vol. 5 Issue 1.
- The AIESEP 2027 conference has released dates and a theme. The conference will run July 12-16th, 2027 and will be hosted by Fontys University in Eindhoven, Netherlands! The theme of the conference is: “Bridging the gap from theory to everyday practice in physical education” More information to follow.
- Make your AIESEP Member Profile: As an AIESEP member you can now create your own personal member profile! You can use it to connect with other members, read or post articles, blogs and recorded presentations, or maybe to provide updates on projects or look for that person during the last AIESEP conference who gave that inspiring paper. Make your AIESEP member profile NOW. Go to the Member’s Corner on the AIESEP website and click on Community or directly by clicking here.
- AIESEP is now accepting donations to support future developing country scholars. We have created a page on the website that shares information about how to donate and how your donation makes a difference https://aiesep.org/donation/
Finally, as we build out our new website, emails and newsletters will come from info@aiesep.org so please add this to your “safe sender list” and check your filters for past messages. And, finally, if you’re still reading and enjoyed this newsletter, please consider sending this to a colleague and tell them about our association!
Sincerely,
Risto Marttinen
Secretary General AIESEP
Associate Professor
George Mason University
