National sports body appoints UoG’s Dr Kiara Lewis to top role

Dr Kiara Lewis, the Head of the School of Sport and Exercise at the University of Gloucestershire, has been appointed to a key position with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

Alongside her role at the University, she has been named the new Chair of the Division for Physical Activity for Health at BASES, the professional body for sport and exercises in the UK.

The Division of Physical Activity for Health aims to develop a network of sport and exercise scientists studying or working within the discipline areas related to physical activity, exercise and health sciences in order to represent their interests, organise CPD and networking events; and develop and share useful resources.

Dr Lewis said: “I am pleased to join the Division at this exciting time. BASES needs to continue to push to be the voice of sport and exercise within the UK, not only to those within the industry, but also to advocate for sport and exercise at national policy level.

“The pandemic has shown how important physical activity is to people’s everyday lives but also how much the country values elite level sport.

“How we advocate for public recognition and resources both for those working to promote  activity levels alongside those providing support to high level performance is a key question.

“We also need to make sure sport and exercise science is valued as an academic subject and continues to be supported at degree level, equipping graduates to lead and shape these key agendas.”

Dr Lewis specialises in teaching about children’s participation in sport and exercise, behaviour change, and qualitative research methods.

She is currently involved in a feasibility trial to increase physical activity participation in a medium secure unit and has co-edited a book on the physical, physiological and psychological benefits of exercise.