School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago

✨ Sports-related subjects at Otago are ranked 22nd in the world (and first in Aotearoa New Zealand 🏅) in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 👏 Congratulations to all our amazing researchers and kaiako for your continuing mahi that’s contributed to the 2026 result, including many who are based in the School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago 🙌

Our PhD candidate Nic Daniels had an interesting opinion article published on Newsroom - check it out!

With fuel, public transport still so costly, active commuting is key Opinion from Otago University: The Govt must invest more into public transport subsidies to help with the cost of living crisis and to reduce emissions

If you missed Professor Elaine Hargreaves' thought-provoking and inspirational IPL last week, you can catch it here:

Inaugural Professorial Lecture – Professor Elaine Hargreaves Check out Professor Elaine Hargreaves' Inaugural Professorial Lecture titled "A simple choice? Understanding motivation to be physically active"

Check out this article about PE alumnus Heath Mills, who is he CEO of the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA) and Chairman of the World Cricketers’ Association!
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/from-pe-school-to-global-sports-leader

From PE School to global sports leader If not for his Otago contacts and relationships, Heath Mills (BPhEd, 1994) says it’s very unlikely that he would be where he is today.

💐 Ready for a very cool story celebrating connection? First though, a huge congratulations to Sophie McMillan-Sinclair for graduating with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physical Education, Activity and Health, with a minor in Psychology 🎉

When Sophie was in her final year at Waitaki Girls’ High School, Sandra Spence was working with her cohort as Otago’s School Liaison Officer 🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏻 Then in her third year of studies, Sophie and Sandra were paired as student and client for a practicum paper that provides experience supporting clients with exercise programmes 🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️

So, it was only fitting that Sandra be part of Sophie’s graduation day and celebrate the full circle of learning from school to graduating at Otago 🎓 How brilliant that Sandra supported Sophie in finding her passion, and Sophie has then used her learnings to help Sandra – plus they’ve become friends in the process ❤️‍

Sandra says Sophie’s help with her programme has improved her whole wellbeing 🤩 “Feeling stronger helps me recover faster and Sophie’s kind but firm guidance has given me so much confidence and motivation. Even when she’s not there, I can hear Sophie saying, “you can do one more” and “breathe” - and then I do!” 🌿

Sophie says, “My experience and growing connection with Sandra was a pivotal point in my studies, reassuring me that Clinical Exercise Physiology is a pathway I want to further progress in. My friendship with Sandra has been a great reminder that creating bonds and helping people improve their quality of life are truly the most rewarding things.” 🌈🥰
School of Physical Education Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago

Congratulations to our Dean, Elaine Hargreaves who has been promoted to Professor! Check out the post below as well!

About Elaine:
With a passion for health promotion, Elaine’s research is based in the psychology of lifestyle behaviour change with a particular focus on physical activity, sitting in the intersection of health psychology, public health and behavioural science. Her work investigates the psychological factors and social contexts that explain motivation for physical activity, and the psychological outcomes that result from being active. Elaine’s research has advanced exercise prescription practice by showing how and why exercise influences affective responses and the role they play in decision-making. It has advanced theory through examining the relationships between motivational profiles and physical activity participation and the social contexts that influence these profiles. She is most proud of the community-based interventions she has been involved in designing that have led to significant improvements in lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes. Elaine is the Dean of the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Ngā mihi nui to our academics in the Division of Sciences Te Rohe a Ahikāroa who have just received promotions 👏

📷 Congratulations to our new Professors, (top row from left), Katherine Black (Human Nutrition), Jeremiah Deng (Computing), Elaine Hargreaves (Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences); (bottom row from left), Michael Jack (Physics), Inga Smith (Physics), Ting Wang (Mathematics and Statistics), and Phillip Wilcox (Mathematics and Statistics) 👍

☀️ As highlighted by these experts, Sciences at Otago includes an incredible variety of subjects that are contributing to significant national and global issues - including a healthier environment, the changing climate, sustainability, human health and behaviour, and the wellbeing of both our people and place 🌏

The full list of Otago’s academic staff promotions to Professor and Associate Professor can be read here 🔗
https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/otago-announces-32-new-professors

Internship opportunities at Hockey NZ:
https://www.hockeynz.co.nz/performance-support-internship
https://www.hockeynz.co.nz/sport-management-internship

Sport Management — HOCKEY NEW ZEALAND Sport Management Internship with Hockey New Zealand OVERVIEWEver wondered what it takes to keep an international sports team running?Join the Vantage Black Sticks for a unique opportunity to be part of building successful programmes that enable the teams to compete in pinnacle events such as, World....

Professor Sally Shaw was interviewed by Newstalk ZB on the controversy around the Breakers and the Pride jerseys - listen here:
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1049-sportstalk-with-darcy-wal-65467510/episode/sally-shaw-university-of-otago-professor-307877163/

She was also interviewed for the NZ Herald, link below:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/basketball/breakers/nz-breakers-university-of-otago-professor-sally-shaw-urges-more-education-after-pride-jersey-backlash/ZECADON445EYHDNWLZNSV5R5LI/

Sally Shaw: University of Otago professor on the controversy over the Breakers refusing to wear the Pride jerseys - Sportstalk with D'Arcy Waldegrave | iHeart There's been some controversy surrounding the Breakers following a recent announcement. They have come out and stated that they will not be wearing a pride sticker at the upcoming Pride Round in the NBL. Sally Shaw is a professor in sport management at the University of Otago and sh...

Check out this article by Professor Chris Button about Water Skills for Life!

A shifting tide in water safety education at risk OPINION: It would be a tragedy to see all this progress undone by short-sighted cost-cutting and debates about who should foot the bill.

Congratulations to current SPESES student Harrison Dynes, who recently was named as the NZ Rural Games scholarship recipient for 2025! Read about Harrison's journey below!