Professor Ann MacPhail of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, has been selected to hold the prestigious UNESCO Chair in Physical Education and Sports Pedagogy for Sustainable Development. The global initiative aims to transform how physical education and sport can foster a more equitable, inclusive and sustainable future.
Last week saw experts, educators, athletes and community stakeholders from around the globe gathered online to mark this important milestone. Emphasising Limerick’s tradition as the “City of Sport,” the event highlighted the Chair’s core mission to embed sustainability principles in physical education and sports programmes, ultimately strengthening community well-being and environmental stewardship.
“The Chair is an incredible opportunity to bring together diverse stakeholders and address the critical intersection of sustainability, education and sport” says Professor Ann MacPhail, the UNESCO Chair, “Limerick has such a strong sporting tradition both at the University and in the city and county- this is an opportunity to showcase this and create a more sustainable future for sport and the community as a whole.”
Professor Shane Kilcommins, Acting President of the says: “This UNESCO Chair is a testament to our commitment to shaping a future in which sport and education go hand in hand with sustainability. We look forward to forging global partnerships that will arise from this initiative.”
By fostering programmes in sport science, coaching and physical education, the has long played a pivotal role in nurturing future sporting talent. The institution’s ongoing commitment to research and innovation continues to shape the next generation of athletes, coaches and physical education practitioners, furthering Limerick’s proud legacy on the field and beyond.
Andrea Deverell, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Futures and Innovation at UL, underscored the urgency driving the Chair’s work: “We are breaching planetary boundaries on climate, biodiversity and pollution, while social inequalities deepen worldwide. Each of us has a role to play in building more just, resilient and regenerative societies. This UNESCO Chair exists within that urgency, with a responsibility to act and a vision for change.”
Over the next three years, the UNESCO Chair in Physical Education and Sports Pedagogy for Sustainable Development will continue its work through seminars, conferences and biannual lectures, engaging local and global sporting communities. A newly developed framework will guide educators, researchers and practitioners in embedding environmental stewardship, social responsibility and ethical leadership into everyday practice.
For more information, please contact the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Youth Sport (PEPAYS) Research Centre associated with the UNESCO Chair: PEPAYS@ul.ie