PESS

01/08/2026

🔹 Postdoctoral Researcher (16-Month Contract)

Expressions of interest are also invited for an upcoming Postdoctoral Researcher position, commencing September 2026.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in:

Large-scale survey research

Physical health

Device-measured physical activity in children

A full job description will be released shortly.

📧 Interested or know someone who might be?
Please direct all enquiries to [email protected].

We encourage you to share these opportunities with colleagues, collaborators and anyone who may be interested in joining the PAfH research community.

31/07/2026

Four Months, Countless Experiences: Reflecting on My Research Stay at PESS

It has undoubtedly been an incredibly enriching research stay, not only professionally but also on a personal and family level. Ireland is a country of endless landscapes; its bountiful natural beauty makes its nickname, 'the Emerald Isle', well deserved. Being able to live and study at the University of Limerick alongside people with different ways of thinking, and to see first-hand how Irish physical education teachers, coaches and researchers are trained, has been very rewarding for me....

It has undoubtedly been an incredibly enriching research stay, not only professionally but also on a personal and family level. Ireland is a country of endless landscapes; its bountiful natural bea…

31/07/2026

Registration Now Open | PAfH Summer Research School 2026 📢

Join us this August for the Physical Activity for Health (PAfH) Summer Research School 2026, hosted by the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS), University of Limerick.

📅 26–27 August 2026
📍 PESS, University of Limerick

The two-day event will bring together researchers, postgraduate students and practitioners to explore the latest developments in physical activity and health through:

🔹 Leading researchers
🔹 Invited guest speakers
🔹 Networking opportunities
🔹 Face-to-face learning

Whether you're an early career researcher, postgraduate student or established academic, the PAfH Summer Research School offers an excellent opportunity to learn, connect and collaborate with colleagues working across the field of physical activity and health.

🎟️ Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/physical-activity-for-health-pafhresearch-school-26-27-august-tickets-1989818454562

For more information, please contact:
📧 Justyna Lis – [email protected]
📧 Catherine Woods – [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Limerick this August!

30/07/2026

Congratulations, Dr Caroline Currid! 🎉🎓

The Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) extends its warmest congratulations to Dr Caroline Currid on the successful completion of her Viva Voce.

This outstanding achievement reflects Caroline's dedication, expertise and commitment throughout her doctoral journey.

A sincere thank you to Dr Gavin Breslin (Ulster University) for serving as External Examiner, Dr Ian Sherwin as Internal Examiner, and Dr Catherine Norton for chairing the Viva. Special thanks also to Dr John Kiely, who co-supervised Caroline's research throughout the process.

Congratulations once again, Dr Caroline Currid, on this well-deserved achievement. We wish you every success in the next chapter of your career.

30/07/2026

Research in the Media 📢🧠

Congratulations to Dr Phil Kearney on his latest contribution to the ISESA Blog Series.

In "Moving from an adversarial approach to consensus-building in science communication," Dr Kearney explores how scientists and communicators can foster more constructive conversations around research. The article highlights the importance of moving beyond debate-driven communication towards approaches that build trust, encourage collaboration and support meaningful public engagement with science.

📖 Read the full blog here:
https://isesa.ie/resource-library/philip-kearney/

27/07/2026

Research in the Media 📰🍀

How much of sporting success comes down to luck?

In his latest RTÉ Brainstorm article, Dr Karol Dillon explores the role of luck in sport and whether success is really as random as it can sometimes appear.

Drawing on research and real-world sporting examples, Dr Dillon examines how coaches and athletes can prepare for uncertainty, create opportunities, and maximise the chances of success when it matters most.

📖 Read the full article here:
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2026/0723/1584653-sport-luck-coaching-management-planning-preparation/

27/07/2026

New Publication 💻📚

Congratulations to Dr Antonio Calderón and co-authors on their latest publication in Cogent Education.

Their research, "How dominant digital technologies in schools influence the enactment of curriculum change," explores how widely used digital tools, such as presentation software, can shape the implementation of curriculum reform in schools. The study highlights how existing technological infrastructures can both enable innovation and influence the ways students learn, communicate and are assessed.

The findings provide valuable insights for educators, school leaders and policymakers seeking to support meaningful curriculum change in increasingly digital learning environments.

📖 Read the full publication:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2331186X.2026.2676153

27/07/2026

New Publication: How Dominant Digital Technologies in Schools Influence the Enactment of Curriculum Change

Research Impact This paper shows how dominant, taken-for-granted digital tools in schools can influence the enactment of curriculum reforms. Drawing on a case of curriculum change at lower-secondary education in Ireland, the paper argues that the widespread use and availability of slideware technology (e.g., PowerPoint) can influence how Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) are understood, produced, and presented. The study highlights the “backwash” effect of this dominance, including pressures toward linear, bullet-pointed representations of learning and an instrumental focus on “workplace-ready” digital skills....

Research Impact This paper shows how dominant, taken-for-granted digital tools in schools can influence the enactment of curriculum reforms. Drawing on a case of curriculum change at lower-secondar…

24/07/2026

New on the PESS Blog 🔬🎓

How can a research internship shape your future career?

In his latest PESS Blog, Rian Sloan reflects on his internship experience, sharing how working on a live research project helped him develop valuable skills, overcome challenges and gain insight into a career in research.

From hands-on experience to professional development, Rian highlights how the PESS Internship Programme provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge, build confidence and explore future career pathways.

📖 Read Rian's story here:
https://pess.blog/2026/07/24/pess-internship-rian-sloan/

24/07/2026

PESS Internship: Metabolic and Mechanical Differences in Trained Runners and Active Controls

Written by Rian Sloan This summer, I successfully applied for and completed a funded PESS research internship. Primarily, this involved conducting lab-based research examining the metabolic and mechanical responses during running and how they differ between trained runners and active controls. This study improves our understanding of the potential differences in metabolic (e.g. oxygen cost and energy system use) and mechanical (e.g....

Written by Rian Sloan This summer, I successfully applied for and completed a funded PESS research internship. Primarily, this involved conducting&…