Introducing Prof. Dr. Karen Petry – ICSSPE Executive Board Member

The International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) is pleased to highlight the interview with Prof. Dr. Karen Petry, Executive Board Member of ICSSPE and Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair on Sport for Development, Peace and Environment. With a long-standing academic and policy-oriented career spanning European and international sport policy, sport for development, gender equity, and social inclusion, Prof. Dr. Petry brings extensive expertise in connecting research, advocacy, and public policy to ICSSPE’s global mission.

Throughout her career, Prof. Dr. Petry has worked at the intersection of sport policy, social development, and international cooperation. Her research and advisory work have focused on how sport can contribute meaningfully to addressing societal challenges such as inequality, social exclusion, gender disparities, and sustainable development. By combining academic rigour with policy engagement, she has consistently promoted evidence-based approaches that strengthen sport systems and enhance their social impact.

In 2024, Prof. Dr. Petry was appointed Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair on Sport for Development, Peace and Environment. In this role, she advances cross-sector partnerships that position sport as a tool for social transformation and environmental responsibility. Her work highlights the importance of aligning sport policy with broader global agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensuring that sport contributes to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability.

In her interview, Prof. Dr. Petry reflects on several key areas where she sees ICSSPE playing a decisive role:

• Sustainable sport policy
• Cross-sector partnerships and global cooperation
• Advancing gender equity and social inclusion
• Bridging research, practice, and policymaking

Prof. Dr. Petry’s vision strongly aligns with ICSSPE’s commitment to evidence-based practice, inclusive development, and international cooperation in sport and physical activity. Her leadership reinforces ICSSPE’s role as a global platform that connects research, policy, and practice to address pressing societal challenges through sport.

Read the full interview with Prof. Dr. Karen Petry in the attachment below to explore her insights on sport policy, gender equity, sustainable development, and the future of international cooperation in sport.