Erin Centeio is the second of our two AIESEP members who we will be awarding our Fellowship Award to during Taipei 2026.
The AIESEP Fellowship is an outstanding academic recognition, which is awarded to qualified scholars.
The purpose of the AIESEP Fellowship is:
To recognise scholarly excellence in research in physical education, physical activity and sport pedagogy across the lifespan.
And to recognise excellence in professional practice in physical education, physical activity and sport pedagogy across the lifespan.
We would like to introduce you to Erin Centeio:
Erin E. Centeio, Ph.D., is a Professor and Co-Department Chair in the Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science within the College of Education at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she also serves as the Health and Physical Education program coordinator. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining UH Mānoa, she spent six years as faculty at Wayne State University.
Dr. Centeio teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses, primarily focused on preparing future health and physical education teachers, while also supporting students across Kinesiology. Her research centers on integrating physical activity opportunities before, during, and after the school day, and examining the impact of physical activity, fitness, and health interventions on youth physical, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes.
She works closely with community organizations, schools, and educators to expand access to high-quality and culturally relevant physical activity programming. Through partnerships with the Hawai‘i Department of Health, Hawai‘i Department of Education, and Hawai‘i Afterschool Alliance, Dr. Centeio leads and supports initiatives that promote student health and well-being across the state.
Dr. Centeio has received national and international recognition for her scholarship from organizations including SHAPE America, AERA, and AIESEP. She has secured over $14 million in grant funding, authored more than 130 conference presentations, and published over 70 peer-reviewed articles and 10 book chapters. She is actively engaged in professional service, serving as Past President of the SHAPE America Western District, Professional Preparation Council Chair, and CSPAP SIG Chair. She has also served as secretary and chair of AERA SIG 93, and is currently an executive board member of HAHPERD.
