ISPAH Early Career Network

Purpose: Provide early career practitioners, researchers and policy makers attending the congress with networking and capacity building opportunities to enhance their congress experience and foster professional developmentLearning Objective 1: Facilitate networking opportunities and build collaborative relationships between congress attendees The workshop will involve a speed networking activity between early career professionals that will enable brief interactions between researchers, practitioners and policy makers in physical activity and health.Learning Objective 2: Develop/build on skills in peer review The workshop will also involve a capacity building activity led by Melody Ding (JPAH Co-Editor in Chief) and Loretta DiPetro on the topic of peer review. This activity will sit in line with ISPAH’s current collaboration with JPAH in regard to the Bill Kohl Peer Review Academy. This activity will be a unique opportunity for early career professionals to learn from highly experienced researchers in physical activity and health.Learning Objective 3: Facilitate interaction with senior/more experienced professionals and foster confidence and communication for effective networking and professional development The final workshop activity will involve a Q&A panel with experienced professionals in physical activity and health. This activity will use a ‘living library’/ ‘walking Q&A’ approach that fosters the attendees’ confidence in communicating with fellow early career professionals as well as more experienced/senior researchers and provide an opportunity to gain insights into topics/practices relevant for their own professional and career development.Target Audience: Early career professionals attending the ISPAH congress. Whilst no specific criteria will be applied in regard to a time frame since completing relevant studies, attendees will be encouraged to self-reflect on their eligibility for taking part in this workshop.Organization/Method of Presentation: This workshop will include small group discussions and 1:1 interactions alongside brief ‘mini-lectures/presentations’. A variety of approaches will be used to enable all attendees to meaningfully engage.