We’re delighted to introduce Gillian Bartle as the new Research Lead for the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA). With over 35 years of experience in teaching, teacher education, and further education, Gillian brings a wealth of expertise, curiosity, and philosophical depth to the role.
Gillian’s journey into physical literacy research began in 1995 when she met Professor Margaret Whitehead at a conference on the philosophy of sport and physical education. At the time, Gillian was already immersed in Whitehead’s PhD thesis, which played a formative role in shaping her own Master of Philosophy degree in Assessment in PE in Scotland. This early encounter sparked a lifelong passion for examining how research can help us better understand movement and its meaning in educational contexts.
That passion continues today. Gillian’s PhD research is a sociomaterialist, posthuman inquiry into whether—and how—primary teacher education students are enacting physical literacy. Her work is deeply grounded in philosophical inquiry and explores new ways of thinking about research and education beyond traditional boundaries.
As an Olympic scholar, Gillian’s research interests span the philosophy of sport and education, values education, wellbeing, and postqualitative inquiry. She also has practical experience delivering the IPLA Foundation Course to students in sports coaching and primary education, and to in-service primary and secondary teachers.
As the Lead of IPLA’s Special Interest Group for Research, Gillian is keen to hear from you. Whether it’s PhD opportunities, recent research outcomes, funding news, or work you’d like to share in a blog or post, Gillian is eager to connect and help amplify research across the physical literacy community.
If you’d like to get in touch with Gillian, please visit this contact form and select the appropriate option.
Please join us in welcoming Gillian to this important role!
