Greetings!

I hope your fall semester has started off well and that you are refreshed from a restful summer!

Over the summer, Research Council chairs met to develop a strategic plan with goals for 2025-2026. Below are some potential collaborative efforts we have in store:

• Update and maintain a database of Research Fellow profiles;
• Brainstorm means to support a Research Council social at the national convention;
• Offer presentations at the national convention that truly bridge the gap between research and practitioners;
• Plan a media campaign to promote research;
• Collaborate with scholars on a position statement related to saving higher education in physical education.

In July, the Research Council offered a free webinar that explored how universities can play a vital role in advancing whole-of-school physical activity and health initiatives. (Get the link to view in “News & Notes” below.) We are now working on events for the 2026 SHAPE America National Convention & Expo in Kansas City (March 17-21). We are also continuing with our Research Fellow Spotlights and UnLock Research series.

If you would like to serve on the Research Council, become a Research Fellow, or apply for grants, make note of the approaching deadlines (see “Dates & Deadlines” below). We had one council member rotate off this year: Tan Leng Goh (past chair). We appreciate her service and look forward to learning from her as several current members move into new roles. Our current council is comprised of nine members (six faculty in higher education, two graduate students and one liaison): Weidong Li (past chair), Collin Webster (chair-elect), Emi Tsuda, Tan Zhang, Yubing Wang, Fabian Correia, Ensieh Shahrjooihaghighi, and Joe Deutsch (SHAPE America president and board liaison). I am excited to see what the year ahead brings with all of my colleagues.

I welcome members to share any suggestions or comments regarding new goals or initiatives to heather.erwin@uky.edu.