AIESEP 2027 International Conference to Connect Research and Practice in Physical Education
The AIESEP 2027 International Conference will take place from 12 to 16 July 2027 at Fontys School of Sport Studies in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Under the theme “Bridging the gap: from theory to everyday practice in physical education,” the conference will bring together researchers, teacher educators, practitioners, students and other professionals working in physical education, sport pedagogy, health education and physical activity.
Hosted by Fontys University of Applied Sciences on behalf of AIESEP, the conference aims to strengthen connections between academic knowledge and everyday professional practice. Alongside traditional research presentations, the programme will feature interactive Research-to-Practice Labs and Match-Making Sessions designed to support knowledge exchange, practical application and new international collaborations.
Call for abstracts opens in September 2026
The call for abstracts will open on 1 September 2026, with submissions accepted until 1 December 2026. Authors will be informed about the outcome of their submissions by 15 February 2027. All proposals must be submitted in English through the conference’s online abstract submission system.
The organisers welcome original and previously unpublished contributions addressing sport pedagogy, physical and health education, physical activity and education across the lifespan. Eligible contributions may include basic and applied research, professional practice, clinical studies, epidemiological research and systematic reviews or meta-analyses.
Conference themes include:
- Pedagogy and meaningful learning in physical education
- Bridging research and everyday teaching practice
- Teacher education, professional learning and mentoring
- Curriculum, assessment and innovation
- Equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice
- Physical activity, health and wellbeing
- Digitalisation, technology and artificial intelligence in physical education
- Policy, leadership and advocacy in physical education and sport
Different formats for research, practice and collaboration
Abstracts may be submitted for oral presentations, poster presentations, symposia, pre-conference sessions, Research-to-Practice Labs and Match-Making Sessions.
Oral presentations will consist of a ten-minute presentation followed by five minutes of discussion. Poster proposals will be presented during dedicated interactive sessions, while symposia will bring together three to six presenters for a 75-minute session addressing a shared theme.
Pre-conference proposals may take the form of workshops, seminars, masterclasses or collaborative working sessions lasting between two and four hours. Research-to-Practice Labs, offered in 45- or 90-minute formats, should enable participants to explore a practical, evidence-informed product or approach, such as an assessment instrument, pedagogical resource, digital application, instructional model or professional-development tool.
Match-Making Sessions will provide up to 45 minutes for participants to introduce new research ideas, methodological initiatives, potential review projects or other proposals for which they are seeking international partners. Most individual abstracts are limited to 300 words and should include three to five keywords. Research abstracts should generally be structured around purpose, methods or approach, results and conclusion.
Submissions will be evaluated according to their relevance to the AIESEP community and conference theme, academic or professional quality, clarity, originality, practical significance and contribution to equity, diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.
Programme and networking opportunities
The conference begins on Monday, 12 July, with pre-conference sessions, an opening ceremony and an informal welcome gathering. The main programme will include symposia, keynote addresses, oral and poster presentations, practical sessions and the AIESEP General Assembly. The names of the keynote speakers will be announced once their participation has been confirmed.
A social programme will complement the academic sessions, including welcome drinks and food trucks, an evening with live music, an inclusive sporting activity and a closing dinner and party on Friday, 16 July. Participation in the sporting activity and closing dinner is included in the conference ticket, although some refreshments and other expenses must be covered individually.
For more details about the event and call for abstracts, please visit the official website here: Home – AIESEP 2027
