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Dr Susannah Ruth Stevens

Contact

Department: School of Teacher Education ; Child Well Being Institute

Email: susannah.stevens@canterbury.ac.nz

Phone Number: +64 3 369 3999 ext. null

Office: Manawa Level 4

Language: English

About
Research / Creative works
Networks
Projects
Methods & Equipment

Fields of Research

  • Child Well-being
  • Movement pleasure and pedagogy
  • Physical Education and Health
  • Olympism and Olympic Studies
  • Sociology and philosophy of movement and sport

Researcher Summary

Susannah is interested in research on learning and well-being. Her research focuses on movement pleasure, the body, and how learning occurs with the whole body, not just the mind. Susannah enjoys using a range of sociological and philosophical theories in her work. Her PhD thesis developed pedagogy for movement pleasure. She currently works with schools, national bodies, government groups and international organisations; sharing expertise in the areas of physical activity, well-being, movement pleasure and the learning environments in which they are situated.

Subject Area: Disciplines

  • Education: Physical Education
  • Health and Health Sciences: Other Health Studies

Resources

  • Staff webpage
  • LinkedIn
  • Follow me on twitter

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

Journal Articles
  • Stevens S. and Thompson K. (2022) Contradictions and realisations–a critical friendship in the pursuit of transformative PETE. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education 13(3): 238-252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/25742981.2022.2114841.
  • Berning H., North C. and Stevens S. (2021) Environmental and sustainability education in teacher education: Canadian perspectives. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning 21(3): 294-296. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2020.1819834.
  • Derby M. and Stevens S. (2021) Unearthing the complexities of wellbeing: Learnings from a Māori think tank. Psychology Aotearoa 13(1) 1: 7-12.
  • Stevens SR. and Culpan I. (2021) The joy of movement: the non-participant in physical education curriculum design. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education 12(1): 80-93. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/25742981.2021.1878918.
  • Stevens SR., Ovens A., Hapeta JW. and Petrie K. (2021) Tracking Physical Literacy in Aotearoa New Zealand: concerns of narrowed curriculum and colonisation. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education 12(2): 123-139. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/25742981.2021.1901598.
  • Veer E., Zahrai K. and Stevens S. (2021) I stood by: the role of allies in developing an inclusive and supportive academic environment post #MeToo. Journal of Marketing Management 37(1-2): 162-179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2020.1772344.
  • Stevens S. and Jarden A. (2019) The importance of child wellbeing. International Journal of Wellbeing 9(4): I-IV. http://dx.doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v9i4.1011.
  • Stevens S. (2018) A logo-free pair of shorts; The possibilities for pedagogical encounters at the Youth Olympic Games. New Zealand Physical Educator -Physical Education New Zealand- 51(3) 1: 4-11.
  • Stevens S. (2018) 'Academic subjects’ - It’s time to change the record. New Zealand Physical Educator -Physical Education New Zealand- 51(1) 1: 4-6.
  • Culpan I. and Stevens SS. (2017) Olympism, physical education and attitudes and values: what do graduating teachers in Aotearoa, New Zealand know and understand? Asia-Pacific Journal of Health, Sport and Physical Education 8(3): 259-272. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/18377122.2017.1345284.
  • Stevens SR. (2017) Olympism and ontological structures of understanding. International Journal on Olympic Studies 1: 249-268.
  • Culpan I., Draper N. and Smith S. (2011) Physical education, exercise science and pedagogy: Forging the links. International Journal of Sport and Health Science 9: 54-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5432/ijshs.20100035.
Authored Books
  • Clarke TH., Smith J., Ratima M., Macfarlane A., Macfarlane S., Maitland R., Davies L., Kururangi KM. and Stevens S. (2021) The Hikairo schema for secondary. Wellington: New Zealand Council for Educational Research.
Chapters
  • Stevens S. and Culpan I. (2020) At your call: Prioritize the space for joy. In Todt N; Miragaya A; Da Costa L (Ed.), Reinventing Sport and Olympic Games after COVID-19: Return to Pierre de Coubertin: 207-217. Rio de Janeiro: Brazil: Rio de Janeiro e Museu do Esporte and Comite Brasileiro Pierre de Coubertin.
  • Stevens S. and Culpan I. (2020) The ever-changing landscape: Physical education in New Zealand universities. In Bobrik M; Antala B; Pelucha R (Ed.), Physical Education in Universities: Researches-Best Practices-Situation: 433-442. Bratislava: Slovakia: Slovak Scientific Society for Physical Education & Sport: Federation International D'Education Physique.
  • Culpan I. and Stevens S. (2019) Early Childhood Education in Aotearoa, New Zealand: Practice policy and physical activity.. In Antila B; Dermirhan G; Carraro A; Oktar C; Oz H; Kaplanova A (Ed.), Physical education in early childhood education and care: Researches - Best Practice - Situation.: 395-408. Bratislava: Slovakia: Slovak Scientific Society for Physical Education and Sport: Federation Internationale D'Education Physiquey.
  • Stevens S. and Culpan I. (2019) In the dark: The construction of sport and its coaching rhetoric.. In Krieger J; Wassong S (Ed.), Dark sides of sport: 147-162. Campaign Illinois: University of Illinois Champaign: Common Ground Research networks, Sport and Society Book Imprint.
  • Culpan IG., Cowan J., Fyall G., Lindsay H. and Stevens S. (2018) Secondary School Physical Education in New Zealand: Bridging the theory practice nexus. In Popovic S; Antala B; Bjelica D; Gardasevic J (Ed.), Physical Education in Secondary School: Researchers - Best Practice - Situation: 271-282. Bratislava: Nikšić Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of University of Montenegro.
  • Culpan I., Cowan J., Fyall G., Lindsay H. and Stevens S. (2017) Primary school physical education in New Zealand: A need for realignment in a contested space. In Colella D; Antala B; Epifani S (Ed.), Physical education in primary school: Researches - best practice - situation: 351-366. Rovato: Pensa MultiMedia.
  • Culpan I., Cowan JL., Fyall G., Linday H. and Stevens S. (2017) Primary school Physical Education in New Zealand: A need for realignment in a contested space.. In D Colella D; Anatala B; Epifani S (Ed.), Physical Education in Primary Schools: Researches, Best-Practices, Situation.: 351-366. Italy: Pena MultiMedia and University of Foggia..
Conference Contributions - Published
  • Stevens S. (2021) The Pertinent and Powerful Role of Physical Education in Achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals; Aotearoa/New Zealand Perspective. In.
  • Stevens S. (2019) Child Well-being Research Institute; Our vision, our journey and how a new approach to PhD study is making a difference. In.
  • Stevens S. (2019) The joy of movement, the enfleshed body and wellbeing in physical education. In.
  • Stevens S. (2017) Olympism and ontological structures of understanding: Joy and the rethinking of ‘governance’ in sport. In 24th International Seminar for Postgraduate Students, International Olympic Academy.
  • Stevens S. and McCone A. (2014) Re-defining social legacy: Thinking beyond ‘host nations’ and dealing with entrenched discourse. In International Olympic Academy (Eds). 10th International Session for Educators and Officials of Higher Institutes of Physical Education Proceedings(10th): 139-144.
Conference Contributions - Other
  • Stevens S. (2021) Trends in Child and Youth Physical Activity. Christchurch, New Zealand: Child Well-being Research Symposium, 9-9 Apr 2020.
  • Stevens S. (2019) The enfleshed body and movement pleasure for wellbeing and health promotion. Rotorua, New Zealand: The International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) 23rd World Conference on Health Promotion, 7-10 Apr 2019.
  • Stevens S. (2019) You want to get more kids moving? Stop assuming, start thinking and chill out. Canberra, Australia: Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference, 14-16 Jan 2019.
  • Stevens S. (2018) Above or below the line? Avoiding the monologues, pessimism and rhetoric in meetings or planning sessions at school. Auckland: the National Te Ao Kori Aotearoa Inspired Leadership Programme, 13-14 Nov 2018.
  • Stevens S. (2018) Education Council Leadership Capabilities Framework. Auckland, New Zealand: National Te Ao Kori Aotearoa Inspired Leadership Programme, 13-14 Nov 2018.
  • Stevens S. (2018) What do the ‘walk of shame’, the ‘strut’, the hikoi, the ‘cat walk’ and the ‘race walk’ have in common? Dunedin: 60th National Te Ao Kori Aotearoa Conference, 9-11 Jul 2018.
  • Stevens S. (2018) Why Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum is pertinent to policy discussions on child wellbeing. Wellington, New Zealand: Third International Conference on Wellbeing and Policy, Parliament, 5-7 Sep 2018.
  • Stevens S. and Mackrell J. (2018) NZQA Scholarship kōrero. Dunedin: 60th National Te Ao Kori Aotearoa Conference, 9-11 Jul 2018.
  • Stevens S. (2017) A critical inquiry into physical literacy. Canberra, Australia: The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation National Conference, 16-18 Jan 2017.
  • Stevens S. (2017) Challenging ‘leadership’ in movement, by disrupting the discourse. Hamilton, New Zealand: Physical Education New Zealand Inspired Leaders Conference, 14-15 Nov 2017.
  • Stevens S. (2017) Taking Action. Wellington, New Zealand: Sport New Zealand National Play.sport hui, 3 Mar 2017.
  • Stevens S. (2017) Valuing the joy of movement. Tauranga, New Zealand: Past, Present and Future Physical Education, Health Education and Outdoor Education National Conference, 10-12 Jul 2017.
  • Stevens S. (2017) Why ‘standard’ is not ok. Auckland, New Zealand: Sport in Education (SiE) project National Hui, 6 Apr 2017.
  • Stevens S. (2016) A reflection on Ken Robinson’s: How to escape education’s Death Valley. Wellington, New Zealand: Physical Education New Zealand Inspired Leaders conference, 16-17 Nov 2016.
  • Stevens S. (2016) Personal reflection for professional growth. Wellington, New Zealand: Physical Education New Zealand Inspired Leaders Conference, 16-17 Nov 2016.
  • Stevens S. (2014) Joy’…the proverbial benchwarmer in physical education? Christchurch, New Zealand: International Symposium on Physical Education and Sport Studies; Current dilemmas and future possibilities, 16-17 Feb 2014.
Reports
  • Stevens S. (2016) Physical Education New Zealand Report: International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA) Workshop Jun 2016.Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ). Commissioned by Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ). 1-12.
  • Culpan I. and Stevens S. (2015) What Graduating Teachers [primary and secondary Physical Education (PE)] know and understand about Olympism and the Olympic Values.Commissioned by New Zealand Olympic Committee, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Draper N., Culpan I. and Stevens S. (2010) Developing pedagogy for exercise science in tertiary physical education programmes in the Aotearoa New Zealand context.Commissioned by Ako Aotearoa, Southern Regional Hub. 13.
Oral Presentations
  • Stevens S. (2020) Taha Tinana | Physical Wellbeing. Te Hāpai Ō | UC Live Speaker Series. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: Te Hāpai Ō | UC Live Speaker Series, 23 Apr 2020.
  • Stevens S. (2019) How well do you know well-being? Invercargill, New Zealand: Southland Principals and Well-being Leadership Group Hui.
  • Stevens S. (2019) Taking Action. Wellington, New Zealand: Play.sport hui, 03 Mar 2019.
  • Stevens S. (2018) Wellbeing; The whole body, the whole person and the whole life. Christchurch, New Zealand: The Pink Lunch Breast Cancer Awareness Keynote.
  • Stevens S. (2016) Quality Physical Education: Moving from theory to practice. Wellington, New Zealand: Sport New Zealand Play.sport hui, 10 Jun 2016.
  • Stevens S. (2015) A short reply: Engaging in conversation with Coubertin’s letters to ‘relearn’ Olympism.. Christchurch, New Zealand: 11th Porritt Memorial Lecture: “Olympic/ism Education, Physical Education and Children’s Sport: What is most important and where should we focus our energies?” New Zealand Centre for Olympic Studies | Patahi Akorangi Orimipia o Aoteroa 11th Porritt M, 11 Oct 2015.
  • Stevens S. (2015) Not another theory class! The importance of the joy of movement in physical education. Christchurch, New Zealand: University of Canterbury, School of Sport and Physical Education ‘What’s Hot Day’, 15 Sep 2015.
Discussion/Working Papers
  • Stevens S. (2017) Governance, Olympism and ontological structures of understanding. In Governance, Olympism and ontological structures of understanding, International Olympic Academy. Commissioned by 24th International Seminar for Postgraduate Students, International Olympic Academy.
Other
  • Stevens S. (2020) Exploring Physical Education in New Zealand (Aotearoa): Part of the 2021 Series. PE Scholar. [Blog].
  • Stevens S. (2020) Infinite Leaders: Live #25 Dr. Susannah Stevens. (#25) Infinite Leaders: Apple Podcasts. [Podcast].
  • Stevens S. (2020) Movement, Pleasure and Pedagogy. PhysEdcast by Nathan Horne Anchor FM. [Podcast].
  • Stevens S. (2020) Pandemic Fitness Experts Disguised as PE teachers: Should We Be Worried about the #EinPE? ConnectedPE ConnectedPE. [Online Professional Learning].
  • Stevens S. (2020) Supporting the Physical Education Community with Susannah Stevens.. (Augmented Learning Podcast & Vlog Episode #69) Augmented Learning. [Podcast].
  • Stevens S. (2020) The E in PE. (Episode 26 with Coach Pat) Anchor FM. [Podcast].
Theses / Dissertations
  • Stevens SR. (2017) The Joy of Movement in Physical Education: The Enfleshed Body. PhD Thesis, Christchurch. University of Canterbury.
  • Stevens SR. (2011) Olympism Practised Through Sport: An Insight From Youth. Christchurch, New Zealand. University of Canterbury.

Affiliations

  • Institute of Directors in New Zealand Inc (IOD) (Professional Organisation): Member
  • Physical Education New Zealand (PENZ) (Professional Organisation): Director | President, New Zealand

Future Research

  • Child Well-being
  • Enfleshed pedagogy
  • Physical Education, Olympism and Well-being
  • Embodiment and movement pleasure

Key Methodologies

  • Qualitative methodologies
  • Hermeneutics
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