Kim C. Graber
2015 Program Chair and Research Council Past President University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
This past year has been an exciting period of time for the Research Council of SHAPE America – The Society of Health and Physical Educators. Council members have worked hard to ensure a seamless transition from the old structure of the Research Consortium in the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) to our new structure in SHAPE America. You can rest assured that the leadership team of Louis Harrison (chair), Phillip Ward (chair-elect), Alex Garn (secretary), Emily Wughalter (member-at-large), Fran Cleland (ex-officio, board representative), and Gabriella McLoughlin (graduate student representative) has worked countless hours to begin developing a new vision and operating code while simultaneously moving forward with the Research Fellows Program, Grants Program, and Awards Program. The council met in Reston, VA, in early January to discuss ways to further promote the research arm of the new structure while supporting the research efforts of our many members who have dedicated their careers to uncovering and disseminating new knowledge.
As past chair of the Research Council, my role has been to organize the program for the National Convention that will be held in Seattle, WA, March 17–21, 2015. This year we used the same seven categories as in the previous year to evaluate the research abstracts that were forwarded for consideration at the conference. They are:
Exercise Sciences: studies within exercise physiology, fitness and sports medicine, and physical activity epidemiology
Motivation and Psychology: studies centered on motivational and/or psychological issues across a broad spectrum of topics in physical activity settings, including physical education
Motor Behavior and Measurement: studies in biomechanics, motor development, motor control, motor learning, and physical activity measurement
Physical Activity and Health Promotion: studies focused on physical activity and health-related issues and outcomes, including studies related to dance and adapted physical activity
Sociocultural and Social Justice: studies centered on social justice, diversity, and cultural issues across a broad spectrum of topics in physical activity settings, including physical education
Sport and Coaching: studies in sport management and administration, leisure and recreation, and coaching
Teaching and Learning: studies focused on teaching, teacher education, and curriculum.
Although there is no perfect system, we were pleased with the structure for categorizing abstracts. There continued to be some variation in the numbers of abstracts across review panels, but overall, the categories produced a fairly equitable distribution of papers and facilitated organizing the review process and program. With the new organizational structure, all research poster sessions that had been sponsored by the previous associations within AAHPERD were transitioned to the Research Council. A total of 399 abstracts for oral and poster sessions were submitted, along with five proposals for symposia sessions and two half-day workshops.
At the 2015 SHAPE America National Convention and Expo in Seattle, WA, the Research Council program begins early Tuesday morning on March 17 and extends through Friday evening of March 20. Twenty-one free communication sessions and 10 poster sessions are scheduled, with a total of 347 research papers being presented. In addition to those sessions, there will be two half-day workshops, five symposia, a graduate student forum, and a poster session dedicated to student research works in progress. The latest research findings across a wide array of topics in physical education, physical activity, sport, and health will be presented.
Each year, invited lectures by distinguished scholars in our field are highlights in the Research Council program, and this year is no exception. The lecture topics and scholars for the 2015 Distinguished Lectures Series are:
C. H. McCloy Research Lecture and Breakfast: Bradley J. Cardinal, Oregon State University
Raymond A. Weiss Lecture: Alison Wrynn, California State University, Long Beach
Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport Lecture: Melinda Solmon, Louisiana State University
Preparing the Research Council program is a monumental task and would not have been possible without the support of Research Council members, fellows, and excellent staff support. Across the seven newly structured review panels, 8 individuals served as review panel chairs: Michael G. Bemben, Yong Gao, Louis Harrison, Kevin Patton, Melinda Solmon, Brad Strand, Collin Webster, and Amelia Mays Woods. The review panel chairs coordinate the recruiting of reviewers, monitor the timeliness of reviews, compile the comments of the reviewers, and make recommendations to the program chair for papers to be included in the program. These individuals coordinated the efforts of more than 150 reviewers. The review process is blinded, and every effort is made to recruit 3 highly qualified reviewers for each abstract. The review panel chairs have a very challenging job. It would not be possible to develop the program without their efforts, and I express my sincere appreciation to each of them for their dedication and diligence in this task. The abstract reviewers are also a critical link in the review process, and they are to be commended for their efforts as well.
Transitioning from one structure to another is not an easy process, and it requires dedicated individuals who can bring a variety of talents to the organization. Everything from organizational skills to a historical memory is critical for the continued success of an organization. The Research Council is fortunate to have a group of individuals employed at SHAPE America who demonstrate their dedication to serving the organization and executing its mission on a daily basis. Without their efforts, the Research Council would be unable to function and the national convention would not be possible.
In particular, the Research Council extends its appreciation to Nichelle Sankey for her tireless efforts in helping to organize the convention program. It is an enormous responsibility that requires patience, high levels of organizational skills, and the ability to envision success after a long year of planning, conversing with concerned authors of abstracts, and juggling last-minute program changes. Nichelle, thank you for your kindness, optimistic attitude, and professionalism.
The Research Council would also be unable to function without dedicated staff members like Joey Martelli who oversaw the Awards Program, Fellows Program, and Grants Program. His commitment to ensuring that the Research Council functioned successfully throughout the year is highly appreciated. His quick response to requests for information was impressive, and his dedication to detail was essential. Council members also extend appreciation to Cheryl Richardson for coordinating the efforts of SHAPE America staff assigned to the Research Council and for hosting meetings in Reston where she helped envision a strong future direction for the council. Appreciation is also extended to Paul Roetert, chief executive officer, for supporting our vision; to Dolly Lambin, president of SHAPE America, for her leadership, guidance, willingness to listen, and commitment to the success of the council; and to the Board for their willingness to serve in a leadership capacity during a time of change.
Finally, I extend my personal thanks to members of SHAPE America who are interested in research and dedicate their careers to improving the lives of others. I appreciate your support and trust in my leadership during my tenure with the Research Council. I am indebted to Melinda Solmon for her mentorship, guidance, support, and assistance in compiling the Research Council program for the national convention, and I am forever grateful to my colleagues on the Research Council for their commitment, vision, friendship, and wise counsel. Although we can achieve success as individuals, our accomplishments are more significant and joyous when others have participated in the journey.