Faculty of Kinesiology

Where Research Matters

Dean's Statement on Research and Scholarship

My research and scholarly interests are generally related to the study of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), Inclusive Physical Education, Physical Activity and Disability, Physical Education Teaching/Learning Variables, Motor Skill Acquisition and Performance, Subjective Experience in Physical Activity and Sport, and Incidental, Self-Generated, Voluntary Physical Activity. Specifically, one research path involves the study of the experience of physical awkwardness (DCD) from various perspectives, namely: Adults' Reflections (2001), Coping Strategies (2002), Teachers' Instructional Interactions (2003), Conflicting Stories of Teachers and Students (2005), Perception of One’s Body During Unskilled Physical Activity (2006), and the Experiences of Students currently living the experience of physical awkwardness (proposed).

With respect to the Faculty of Kinesiology, the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Health, like The University of Winnipeg, promotes a strong culture of research, scholarship, creativity, and innovation that spans the diverse area of study known as Kinesiology. Research and scholarship are recognized as central to our role and function as a Faculty, and are embedded and prominently placed within the University mission statement and the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Health website. As Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology, I continually advocate for an environment where faculty and students can pursue their potential through a commitment to excellence in research and scholarship that enables them to acquire and generate knowledge and skills, based on research and practice in Kinesiology. The strong link that research can have to teaching and the broader community underscores our work in this area. Ethically approved research leading to conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications and other forms of creation of knowledge is strongly promoted and supported within the Faculty of Kinesiology.

Faculty of Kinesiology researchers have been consistently recognized and honoured in grant applications, publications and awards. As Dean of Kinesiology, I acknowledge the broad diversity of research that exists among our discipline and among our faculty members, and students. I take an equally broad perspective towards the nature of research and scholarship, in its various forms.

Thus research in Kinesiology is defined broadly to include that which is internally or externally funded, or unfunded, basic or applied, quantitative or qualitative, single or mixed methods, conducted individually and/or through collaborative efforts. In sum, the Faculty of Kinesiology recognizes and respects research in a most open and diverse sense.

In a continuing effort to increase the Faculty of Kinesiology research profile, the Faculty will conduct regular forums where individuals may publicly present their research proposals, progress, final reports, and published material to colleagues, students, and interested others for critical review. In a continuing effort to promote research in the Faculty of Kinesiology, regular meetings and discussion with the Department and its members are welcome.

David Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.