Graduate students in their Sport Psychology and Physical Activity Research Collaborative learned a great deal by organizing the 25th annual Eastern Canada Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, say professors Todd Loughead and Krista Chandler.
Organizing the Eastern Canada Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, hosted online March 25 and 26, proved valuable for the students of the Sport Psychology and Physical Activity Research Collaborative, say its co-directors, UWindsor human kinetics professors Krista Chandler and Todd Loughead.
“For the students of our lab, organizing this conference not only provided them the experience of planning and hosting, but also the opportunity to network with their peers and faculty members from across North America and Europe,” the two said in an account of the 25th annual symposium.
More than 460 students and professionals attended research presentations by graduate and undergraduate students in the areas of sport, exercise, and health psychology.
The UWindsor organizers included Matthieu Boisvert, Myles Doan, Frank Ely, Katie Hirsch, Irene Muir, Melissa Pare, Mason Sheppard, Jessica Simpson, Erkin Zuluev, Ashley Flemington, and Devon Asemota.
One attendee called it “the best virtual conference I have attended to date.”
The program featured presentations on research projects by more than 150 students across Canada.
Among the highlights was a panel discussion on diversity and inclusion in sport; presenters included Lancer coaches Chris Cheng of men’s basketball and Randy Beardy of football, as well as kinesiology alumni Jenny O (MHK 2005), Leisha Strachan (MHK 2004), Ashley Duguay (PhD 2020), and Paul McCrary (BHK 2016).
More UWindsor grads were represented in the lunch sessions, including Michelle Guerrero (PhD 2018), Geoff Hackett (MHK 2014), Trista Hallman Hill (MHK 2008), Eric Nadalin (MHK 2011), Kyle Paradis (MHK 2010), Celina Shirazipour (MHK 2012), and Diana Vincer (MHK 2008).