The AIESEP 2024 international conference abstract submission confirmed the need to open the doors for in-person meetings and discussions. It is time to forget the challenging COVID period and enjoy meeting colleagues from different parts of the world. The amount of submitted abstracts surprised everyone: almost 600 abstract submissions from all different continents of the world. The Scientific committee has accepted 329 oral presentations, 168 poster presentations and 33 symposiums based on the abstract reviewers’ suggestions. Also, the amount of different pre congress seminars is exceptional. Along with very interesting Keynote speakers’ presentations, the congress days will be full of inspiring scientific discussions around different aspects of physical education and PE teacher education.
Monday (May 13th) will be dedicated to pre-congress activities, including the Finnish education system, early career researchers, policy work, coach education, as well as the TGfU, and Early Years’ SIG program. It is important to recognize that these events are parallel (so you may not be able to attend more than one) and there might be limited amount of places for some activities (so register early).
Tuesday (May 14th) will start with optional campus tours to become familiar of Finnish teacher education history and architecture focusing on Alvar Aalto’s thinking about wellbeing and the importance of nature in design. These aspects become visible in the university campus buildings. In contrast, one congress building represents current architecture to create active learning environments. Later that afternoon, Prof. Michael Hemphill (USA) will lead our thinking about how to support children and adolescents through PE in his keynote speech.
Wednesday (May 15th) Keynote Prof. Nadja Valentini (Brazil) will push our thinking about the role of motor competence. She will remind us to have a look also for those who themselves do not feel competent. After a long congress day, we will have different options to be active ourselves …Are You brave enough to try some typical Finnish physical activities?
Thursday (May 16th) will have a theme and discussion about how to make a change. Prof. David Lubans (Australia) will open our eyes to optimize the impact of PE research. Let’s see what kind of answers he will give us about the principles for effective interventions in schools. After scientific discussions during the day, it will be important to enjoy more relaxed activities and meet your colleagues during our congress banquet.
Friday (May 17th) Prof. Eeva Anttila’s (Finland) keynote leads us to know more about embodied learning and how to support learning through movement. Parallel sessions continue these themes. During the congress, there will be a significant number of poster presentations and the best poster winners will be awarded together with the new AIESEP fellows, early career researchers and developmental country scholars. The conference ends at about 15:00 on Friday.
Jyväskylä is the place to be in May 2025.
