Research Council Executive Members

Jeff Crane, Chair
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, Newfoundland

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Dr. Jeff Crane is an Assistant Professor in the school of Human Kinetics and Recreation with a cross-appointment in the faculty of Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Jeff’s background and expertise in physical education, adapted physical education, and motor development bring a holistic approach to teaching and research. Jeff currently teaches pre-service Physical Education and Elementary School degree undergraduate students at the university.

His research focuses heavily on the role of the school as a contributor to lifelong physical activity engagement/disengagement across the lifespan. His research focus is not limited to physical literacy, risky/nature-based play, inclusivity, and curriculum development.

Alexandra Stoddart, Past Chair
University of Regina
Regina, SK

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Dr. Alexandra Stoddart is an Assistant Professor in the Health, Outdoor, and Physical Education (HOPE) subject area in the Faculty of Education at the University of Regina. In addition to graduate courses, she teaches HOPE undergraduate courses in both the Elementary and Secondary programs. She enjoys the opportunity to see her students learn, grow, and thrive as they engage in their pre-internship and internship experiences. Dr. Stoddart's research is focused on physical literacy, physical education pedagogy, and the physical education curriculum. Her primary research area is exploring the concept of physical literacy and its development through quality physical education in K-12 schools.

Stephen Berg, Chair Elect
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC

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Dr. Stephen Berg is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus where he teaches courses in a number of areas including Early Learning and Health Education. Dr. Berg is the Director of UBC’s PlayLab which is interested in improving understanding of the processes of play that influence young children’s learning, engagement, and wellbeing. Dr. Berg is also a volunteer ski instructor for PowderHounds Adaptive Skisport for persons with diversabilities. Stephen enjoys the Okanagan lifestyle by golfing, hiking and skiing with friends and family.

Astrid Kendrick, Member-at-Large West
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB

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Before taking on her current role of Director, Field Experience (Community-Based Pathway), at the Werklund School of Education, Dr. Astrid Kendrick was a K-12 classroom teacher for nineteen years specializing in Physical Education and English/Language Arts. Astrid’s current research focus is on compassion fatigue, burnout, and emotional labour in Alberta educational workers and as a result of this work, she has developed a website (www.heartcareeducators) to enable educational workers to work on their health and wellness at work.

Wendy Barber, Member-at-Large Central
Ontario Tech University
Oshawa, ON

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Dr. Wendy Barber is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Canada. She was recently honoured by winning the the 2022 Ontario Tech University Teaching Award of Excellence. Dr. Barber lives with 4 small dogs, (Georgia, Gracie, Sophie and Mickey )who remind her daily to stay active, chew important stuff, love deeply, read a lot, get out in nature, and PLAY ! Wendy's passions include, Health and Physical Education, Teacher Development, Resilience, and Online Pedagogy. Her research is centred in the PHEWISE Digital Research Lab at https://www.phewise.ca<https://www.phewise.ca/> , and she is also an Associate Researcher with the Education Informatics Lab at https://eilab.ca<https://eilab.ca/> , focusing on how we can build better online communities.

Sabrina Razack, PHE Canada Board Representative
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON

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Sabrina Razack is an educator in the Toronto area and also a PhD Candidate at the University of Toronto. The program resides at the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education combined with a collaborative specialization in the Women and Gender Studies department. Between educating and becoming a student, Sabrina worked with the CAAWS, now the Canadian Women & Sport, the Pan/Parapan American Games and the INVICTUS Games. Sabrina’s current research examines the intersections of physical activity, sport, physical education, media, race, gender, class and culture. Sabrina is an award-winning curriculum writer, and developed http://teachbeyondaboundary.com/, to create units on critical Physical Education, Physical Activity, Sport and social issues.

McKenna Szczepanowski, Graduate Student Representative
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, ON

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McKenna Szczepanowski (she/her/hers) is a PhD Candidate at the University of Waterloo working in the COMPASS lab. Her research focuses primarily on sports participation among Canadian youth, inequities and barriers to participation, impacts on mental health, and how the school environment plays a role in physical activity engagement and sustainability. She is passionate about evidence-based research and knowledge dissemination to promote policy and programming initiatives. McKenna also teaches dance to elementary school students, recognizing it as a form of physical activity that fosters creativity and a lifelong love for movement. Beyond academia, McKenna enjoys travelling, learning new languages, crafting creative charcuterie boards, and walks with her dog.

Lisa Taylor, PHE Canada Research Council Forum Co-Chair
Mount Royal University
Calgary, AB

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Lisa M. Taylor, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education at Mount Royal University. She has instructed undergraduate and graduate physical and health education courses at various Canadian universities, and enjoyed eight years as a physical and health education specialist in K–12 schools. Her current research focuses on teacher health in relation to the pandemic and post-secondary pedagogy for health promotion. Lisa is also the editor of the Runner: The Journal of the Health and Physical Education Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.

Michelle Kilborn, PHE Canada Research Council Forum Co-Chair
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB

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Michelle Kilborn is an Assistant Professor (Teaching) and the Academic Director, Outreach & Professional Learning for the Centre for Wellbeing in Education at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary. Michelle began her career as a K-12 teacher in British Columbia where she also provided leadership to the physical education community as president of PHE BC. In addition, she has previously provided service to PHE Canada as a member of the Council of Provinces and Territories and Research Council executive member. Michelle moved to Alberta in 2006 and as Curriculum Manager for PHE programs of study at Alberta Education, she was instrumental in co-developing the Alberta Framework for Kindergarten to Grade 12 Wellness Education. Michelle’s research area focuses on reconceptualizing physical and health education, with a special interest in holistic, wellness-oriented approaches; wisdom perspectives on health and wellbeing; physical and health education teacher education; and comprehensive school health.

Spencer Briggs, PHE Canada Research Council Forum Organizing Committee Graduate Student Liaison
Brock University
Brock, ON

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Spencer Briggs is a former physical education teacher whose experience spans five years of teaching internationally in Sweden and Australia. Spencer completed his Master's at Brock University (Ontario, Canada) in 2022, where he examined his professional transition from a classroom teacher to a teacher educator using teacher identity and self-compassion as theoretical concepts. Spencer is in the first year of his Ph.D., and his research interests include Meaningful Physical Education (MPE), promoting physical activity, and teacher and student well-being. During his downtime, Spencer enjoys food, travel and spending time outdoors, running, cycling, hiking, skiing, and at his cottage

Melanie Davis, Ex-Officio
ED/CEO, PHE Canada
Ottawa, ON

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Melanie is a social innovator with a knack for working across sectors to drive positive change for and with children and youth. With her roots in working in classrooms and alternative learning environments supporting new Canadian, justice involved and students with differing abilities, she has not stopped since. This foundational experience kick started a career in public health and social and recreational programming ensuring young people had voice and access to inclusive and meaningful opportunities that improve their quality of life.

With degrees in both Social Development and Non-Profit Leadership and Public Policy, Melanie focuses on ensuring a 360-degree perspective and activation across broad sectoral levels to provide the structure and support all children and youth need. As Executive Director of Physical and Health Education Canada, Melanie is a collaborator, an innovator and a champion for ensuring all children lead healthy, actives lives.

Bonus notes about Melanie, she’s a hiker, a mountain biker, rusty sign language speaking, and a mother of two.

For more information, please read the position descriptions.

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