PESS

New Publication: Engaging in a Social Learning Space as Physical Education Teacher Educators

A new publication by Professor Ann MacPhail, Dr Antonio Calderón and Dr Elaine Murtagh, alongside their co-authors, explores how social learning spaces can support professional learning among physical education teacher educators working across institutional and national boundaries. Reference Scanlon, D., MacPhail, A., Calderón, A., Davidson, M., & Murtagh, E. (2026). Engaging in a social learning space as physical education teacher educators: lessons learned for cross-border endeavours....

New Publication: Engaging in a Social Learning Space as Physical Education Teacher Educators A new publication by Professor Ann MacPhail, Dr Antonio Calderón and Dr Elaine Murtagh, alongside their co-authors, explores how social learning spaces can support professional learning among physi…

New Publication: Beyond Silos – Professional Learning Across Boundaries in Physical Education and Teacher Education

A new publication by Dr Antonio Calderón, Deniz Hünük and colleagues explores professional learning across boundaries within an international physical education and teacher education project. Reference Hordvik, M., Castro-García, M., Beni, S., Calderón, A., Fernández-Río, J., Hünük, D., … Fletcher, T. (2026). Beyond silos: professional learning across boundaries in an international physical education and teacher education project....

New Publication: Beyond Silos – Professional Learning Across Boundaries in Physical Education and Teacher Education A new publication by Dr Antonio Calderón, Deniz Hünük and colleagues explores professional learning across boundaries within an international physical education and teacher education project. Refer…

What if your degree isn’t the traditional route into the career you want?

For Molly O’Sullivan, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) provided an alternative route into the MSc Sports Performance at UL, helping her take the next step towards a career in high-performance sport.

From studying Psychology & Law to completing her MSc at PESS and now working with professional tennis players on the WTA Tour, Molly’s journey shows where a different route can lead. 🎾

💬 “If it wasn’t for UL having an RPL option there is no way I would be where I am today.”

📖 Read Molly’s full story on the PESS Blog:
https://pess.blog/2026/09/21/from-psychology-and-law-to-the-wta-tour-molly-osullivans-rpl-journey-at-pess/

🔗 Find out more about RPL at UL:
https://www.ul.ie/priorlearning/recognition-of-prior-learning-rpl-at-ul/

From Psychology and Law to the WTA Tour: Molly O’Sullivan’s RPL Journey at PESS

For Molly O’Sullivan, a career in strength and conditioning was not always the plan. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Limerick, she found herself drawn towards a career in sports performance — but her degree did not follow the traditional pathway into the field. Through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Molly was able to take a different route into the MSc in Sports Performance at the University of Limerick, opening the door to a career she had always wanted to pursue....

From Psychology and Law to the WTA Tour: Molly O’Sullivan’s RPL Journey at PESS For Molly O’Sullivan, a career in strength and conditioning was not always the plan. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Limerick, she found herself drawn towards a caree…

📚 New PESS Research | New Publication

Congratulations to Elaine Murtagh, Kwok Ng and Catherine Woods, all members of the PESS team, and recent PESS PhD graduate Caera Grady, on their new publication in the Journal of School Health.

The study explores the personal development of adolescent peer leaders involved in a whole-of-school physical activity programme, examining their expectations compared with the outcomes they experienced.

A great example of research highlighting the wider impact of physical activity programmes on young people and the important role of peer leadership. 👏

📖 Personal Development of Adolescent Peer Leaders of a Whole-of-School Physical Activity Programme: Expectations Versus Outcomes

🔗 Read the full article:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13561664/

Welcome to PESS: Dr João Mota Rodrigues

We are delighted to welcome Dr João Mota Rodrigues to PESS as an Assistant Professor in Physical Education. João holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science with a minor in Exercise and Health, a Master’s in Teaching Physical Education, and a PhD in Education, specialising in the pedagogy of sport and physical activity. His doctoral research developed and validated the Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment, bringing together his interests in learning, assessment and measurement....

Welcome to PESS: Dr João Mota Rodrigues We are delighted to welcome Dr João Mota Rodrigues to PESS as an Assistant Professor in Physical Education. João holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science with a minor in Exercise and Health, a M…

📚 New PESS Research | New Publication

Congratulations to Adam Toth and co-authors on their new publication exploring the accuracy of hand-tracking technology in the Meta Quest 3.

The study investigated how accurately the Meta Quest 3 can track index fingertip position during movement. Findings showed a global tracking error of 1.3 cm, with accuracy varying across the tracking space and decreasing towards the edges.

The research highlights important considerations for using embedded hand-tracking systems in research and virtual reality applications.

📖 Meta quest 3’s hand-tracking accuracy for tracking the index fingertip during a movement is not spatially homogeneous

🔗 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/11672585

📚 New PESS Research | Postdoctoral Development

Congratulations to Professor Ann MacPhail and co-authors on their new publication exploring academic, research and career development within a postdoctoral programme.

The research provides new evidence on the value of a structured and holistic approach to postdoctoral development, while offering practical guidance for universities, research leaders, researcher developers and policymakers looking to strengthen research talent pipelines through sustainable, equitable and impactful postdoctoral support.

📖 Striving for academic, research and career development in a postdoctoral programme
Journal of Research Management and Administration, 5(1), 1–25 (2026)

🔗 https://doi.org/10.18552/jorma.v5i1

🌍 Welcome Back to PESS, Dr. Deniz Hünük!

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Deniz Hünük back to the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) as a Postdoctoral Researcher.

Deniz was successful in securing funding from the Turkish Research Agency (TÜBİTAK) to undertake research at the University of Limerick for 10 months, from September 2026 to June 2027.

Working alongside Professor Ann MacPhail, Deniz will undertake the TÜBİTAK-funded research project:

“The Impact of Long-Term Participation in Social Learning Spaces on Teacher Educators’ Professional Development”

The research will be undertaken within PESS, with Ann supervising and supporting Deniz throughout the project.

Deniz previously spent time in PESS while undertaking her PhD, so it is fantastic to welcome her back to Limerick and have her rejoin the PESS community as a Postdoctoral Researcher.

Welcome back, Deniz! 💚

My Co-op Experience at PESS: Ellie McCartney

My Co-op placement with the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) has given me the chance to experience a completely different side of sport. Instead of being on the pitch or in the lab, I have spent my placement working behind the scenes, helping to promote the work, events and opportunities happening across the department. This has included highlighting research and new publications, staff and student achievements, awards, sporting successes, events, placements and career opportunities, giving me a real insight into the wide range of work taking place across PESS....

My Co-op Experience at PESS: Ellie McCartney My Co-op placement with the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) has given me the chance to experience a completely different side of sport. Instead of being on the pitch or i…