Global Teaching Excellence

Global Teaching Excellence (GTE)

ICSSPE and the World Association for Sport Management (WASM) have joined together to launch Global Teaching Excellence, an initiative aimed at people who are passionate about learning and teaching.  Designed to enhance best practice within the sport and physical activity discipline, GTE will provide a series of open online events throughout the year to discuss, learn and understand all aspects of teaching excellence.  The extensive network of both organisations allows the unique opportunity to discuss and learn best practice initiatives from across the globe. The online events are free to attend, and anyone interested in learning and teaching within sport and physical activity and a passion for teaching excellence should attend. 

The next GTE will take place on:

20^th September 2023 at 12noon (Germany time) until 1pm.

Please click on the link to register for the event: https://forms.gle/Y3Dzy4uUSVe9tnsK7

Deadline for registration is 19^th September 2023.

Chair: Usha Nair

Panel Members: Jens Sejer Andersen, Rosa Diketmüller, Branislav Antala, Soni John, Anil Ramachandran and Brody J. Ruihley

Panel Discussion: The Power of Effective Communication in Sports and PE: Connecting Athletes, Coaches, and Communities

Usha S Nair (India) currently serves as the Officiating Vice Chancellor at National Sports University, Imphal, India since August 2023, with a Doctorate in Physical Education from Jiwaji University. In 2021, she became a Development Committee member of ICSSPE. During the same year, she took on the role of Secretary at the International Society of Comparative Physical Education and Sports, showcasing her deep commitment to the field. Usha S Nair's dedication extended to her appointment as a Co-opted Member of the International Association of Physical Education and Sports for Girls and Women (IAPESGW) in 2021. Her significant impact on physical education is exemplified by her coordination of six batches of the PE and community coaching program initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, which positively impacted around 25,000 PE Teachers in 2020. Throughout her career, Usha S Nair has displayed exceptional leadership and expertise.

Jens Sejer Andersen (Denmark) is a journalist, international director, and founder of Play the Game, an initiative focused on enhancing sports' ethical standards. Play the Game promotes transparency, freedom of expression, and democratic values in global sports. With 11 conferences and research efforts, Play the Game addresses corruption, match-fixing, doping, and sports participation policies. Andersen led projects like the Sports Governance Observer, analysing governance in Olympic federations. He chaired the Consultative Committee for the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport in the Council of Europe and is a respected speaker in international sports conferences. Beyond his organizational endeavours, Jens Sejer Andersen is an engaged sports political commentator and a sought-after speaker at international conferences. He has graced numerous high-level conferences hosted by UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the European Union, sharing his insights on matters pertaining to sports integrity and governance.

Rosa Diketmüller (Austria) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Vienna specializing in sports pedagogy and gender studies, with a diverse academic background and extensive experience as a teacher. With a PhD in Sport Science, she has been associated with the University of Vienna since 2001, and her primary areas of research and teaching include sport pedagogy, gender and diversity studies, and health promotion. Notably, she serves as the President of the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW) and has held key positions in Austrian sports organizations. Diketmüller is a tireless advocate for gender equity in sports, having founded the Austrian Platform Women in Sports in 1997, and she actively participates in various European and national projects related to gender equity and health promotion in sports settings. Rosa Diketmüller's multifaceted contributions to the world of sports, academia, and gender equity make her an influential figure in her field, promoting positive change and inclusivity.

Branislav Antala (Slovakia) is a renowned scholar in physical education and sport sciences, and holds Master's and Doctorate degrees from Comenius University in Slovakia. Currently, he is a Professor at Comenius University, a Meritorious Professor at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, and a visiting professor at Beijing Sport University, China. His expertise includes physical education, sport pedagogy, assessment, and sport management, with a notable record of 250 scientific articles, six edited books, and numerous international lectures. He serves on the editorial boards of 12 international journals and has coordinated national and international research projects. Additionally, Antala holds key roles in international sport education organizations, including FIEPS and ICSSPE. He has received multiple prestigious awards for his contributions to physical education worldwide.

Soni John (India) is an accomplished Associate Professor at Christ College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India, specializing in Sport Psychology. He holds a PhD from Victoria University, Melbourne, and is a certified Sport Psychology Practitioner with extensive experience in applied Sport Psychology. Soni has served as the Sport Psychologist for the Indian National Archery Team, contributing to their success in numerous competitions. In 2023 alone, he played a pivotal role in the team's achievement of 15 international gold medals. Additionally, his expertise has benefited Kerala teams, including those in Athletics, Archery, Women Volleyball, Rowing, Swimming, and Kabaddi, during the Khelo India games in Pune in 2019 and the India National games in 2015.  His expertise encompasses imagery applications, communication strategies, goal setting, and much more. He has presented his research at international conferences and received numerous awards and fellowships for his outstanding contributions to the field of Sport Psychology.

Anil Ramachandran (India) is an esteemed academic and administrator in the field of physical education and sports sciences, boasts over 25 years of experience. Presently serving as the Professor & Head of the School of Physical Education & Sports Sciences at Kannur University, Kerala, he holds a Ph.D. in Physical Education from Jiwaji University.  In addition to his academic and administrative roles, Anil actively participates in the Master’s Badminton Championship. His international presence is marked by invited talks in Switzerland and Thailand, paper presentations in Brazil, China, and Australia, and awards. He has also supervised numerous Ph.D. candidates and contributed significantly to the field through research publications. In summary, Anil is a multifaceted professional who excels in academics, administration, and sports, with a focus on physical education and sports sciences.

Brody J. Ruihley (USA) is an Associate Professor of Sport Leadership & Management and Assistant Chair of the Department of Sport Leadership & Management at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio (USA). Prior to his move to Oxford, Ruihley spent time at the University of Cincinnati and the University of Southern Indiana in the professorial role. Ruihley’s own educational background consists of a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Kentucky (2005), a master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville (2006), and a doctorate degree in Sport Studies from the University of Tennessee (2010). Ruihley’s primary research and academic interests lie in the areas of fantasy sport, sport marketing, and sport communication. Ruihley co-authored one of the first academic texts focused on the field of fantasy sport with Routledge in 2014 among other publications. Since 2010, Ruihley has served as Communication Director on the Board of Directors for the International Association for Communication and Sport (IACS) and has recently began serving on the editorial boards for Communication & Sport and also the International Journal of Sport Communication.