SHAPE America Research Council
The SHAPE America Research Council is one of SHAPE America’s five program councils, which are all charged with the following responsibilities:
- Advise and make recommendations about programs, products and services related to the respective focus areas, considering overall impact, member benefit and return on investment.
- Provide recommendations on existing programs, products, services, and activities in relation to the organization’s strategic plan and recommend continuation, revision or elimination. Help guide new initiatives through the review process and recommend task forces and ad hoc committees needed for completion.
- Build communication with related SHAPE America special interest groups (SIGs).
- Provide reports/updates prior to each SHAPE America Board of Directors meeting and/or upon request.
Specifically, the Research Council addresses the areas of:
- Curriculum and instruction;
- Exercise science;
- Motivation and psychology;
- Motor behavior and measurement;
- Physical activity and health;
- Sociocultural and social justice; and
- Sport and coaching.
Research Council Activities & Recent Projects
The Research Council conducts the following activities:
- Plans and reviews all abstracts for the research portion of the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo;
- Publishes the Research in Motion newsletter three times a year as well as bimonthly UnLock Research articles; and
- Selects research lecturers, award winners, grant recipients, and Research Fellows.

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Michael W. Metzler (1952-2022)
In memory and respect of years of Dr. Metzler’s outstanding research and publishing work, here are a few of his most recent articles in JOPERD and RQES:
- Teacher Effectiveness Research in Physical Education: The Future Isn’t What It Used to Be
- School-Based Team Research to Address Grand Challenges Through P-12 Physical Education Programs
- Health Optimizing Physical Education (HOPE): A New Curriculum for School Programs—Part 1: Establishing the Need and Describing the Model
- Health Optimizing Physical Education (HOPE): A New Curriculum for School Programs—Part 2: Teacher Knowledge and Collaboration
- Physical Activity Education: The New Name for Our Field
- Aligning Learning Activities with Instructional Models
Get Involved!
- Get Involved Home
- Program Councils
- EDI Committee
- Other Volunteer Opportunities
- SHAPE America Journals
- SHAPE America Publications Committee
Research: Take Action
- Apply to serve on the Research Council. Deadline: October 15.
- Submit a nomination for SHAPE America awards. Deadline: October 15.
- Nominate an outstanding scholar to become a Research Fellow of SHAPE America. Deadline: October 31.
- Apply for the Thomas McKenzie Research Award.
Research Council Members
- Collin Webster (Chair)
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi - Heather Erwin (Past Chair)
University of Kentucky - Victoria Shiver
University of New Mexico - Erin Sweeney
University of Nebraska at Kearney - Emi Tsuda
West Virginia University - Yubing Wang
Old Dominion University (VA) - Bryanna Mieles (student)
Universitiy of Hawai’i at Manoa - Ensieh “Ensi” Shahrjooihaghighi (student)
University of Kentucky - Joe Deutsch (BOD Liaison)
The Research Council primarily conducts business through regular conference calls and email exchange. Council members serve three-year terms, which begin and end in the month of the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo.
Special Interest Groups
The following special interest groups (SIGs) function under the Research Council:
- Measurement & Evaluation
- Motor Behavior
- CSPAP Research
To join a SIG, log in to your SHAPE America member account. Go into the My Profile section and select the Interest Areas tab to view/edit your Special Interest Groups.
