The 2027 conference welcomes an outstanding lineup of speakers from across the globe, spanning ecological dynamics, motor development, physical literacy, sports vision and coaching science.
Keith Davids
Professor Keith Davids of Sheffield Hallam University (United Kingdom) is a world leading authority on ecological dynamics and skill acquisition. As the longstanding conference president of the Motor Skills Acquisition series, his extensive international network has been instrumental in attracting top researchers and practitioners to Kisakallio since the very first edition. His work on constraints led approaches to coaching and nonlinear pedagogy has had a profound influence on how sport practitioners design training environments worldwide.
Isaac Estevan
Associate Professor Isaac Estevan works in the Department of Teaching of Physical Education, Arts and Music at the University of Valencia (Spain). He is co head of the AFIPS research group (Physical Activity and Health Promotion) and the EFYPS teaching innovation group. As a member at large of the International Motor Development Research Consortium (IMDRC), his research centres on fostering children's and adolescents' physical literacy and motor competence. He examines physical activity participation, actual and perceived motor competence, and the association with holistic health related factors such as motivation, social support and cognitive performance. Isaac has published more than 80 impact factor papers and holds an h index of 23 in Web of Science.
Robert Gray
Associate Professor Robert Gray leads the Human Systems Engineering programme at Arizona State University (United States). His research bridges perception, action and skill acquisition, with particular expertise in ecological dynamics and the constraints led approach to coaching. He is the author of several influential books including How We Learn to Move and Learning to be an "Ecological Coach", and hosts the widely acclaimed Perception and Action Podcast, which has surpassed three million downloads. Rob has previously presented at the Motor Skills Acquisition conference as a keynote speaker in 2022.
David Stodden
Professor David Stodden of the University of South Carolina (United States) is the current President of the International Motor Development Research Consortium (IMDRC). His research focuses on understanding the developmental mechanisms and causal pathways that shape long term trajectories of health, wellbeing and human performance across the lifespan. He places particular emphasis on the role of motor competence in physical, psychological and cognitive health outcomes. With an h index of 55 and approximately 4.3 million US dollars in research funding secured, he is one of the most influential voices in motor development research globally.
Arja Sääkslahti
Professor Arja Sääkslahti holds the chair in Physical Education Pedagogy at the University of Jyväskylä (Finland). Her research focuses on early childhood motor development, physical activity behaviours and play based learning, with a particular interest in socio ecological approaches to movement in childcare and school environments. She has contributed to the development of assessment tools for motor creativity and motor competence, and is a regular collaborator on Nordic wide physical activity and pedagogy projects. With over 190 publications and an h index of 21, she brings a strong evidence base in early years physical education to the conference.
Zoe Wimshurst
Dr Zoe Wimshurst is a sports vision and performance specialist based in the United Kingdom. Her applied work spans elite sport and military contexts, having worked with athletes and coaches in Formula 1, the Premier League, Great Britain Hockey, Great Britain Shooting and professional golf, among others. Her research expertise includes eye tracking technology, visual skills training and perception action coupling. Zoe has previously presented at the Motor Skills Acquisition conference as a keynote speaker in 2022.
Philip Morgan
Professor Philip Morgan is the Co-Director (Research) of the University of Newcastle’s Global Sport & Movement Collaborative) and Professor in the School of Education. He has co-authored over 350 research papers and received over $26 million in funding. He is internationally recognised as a leading expert in the development and delivery of school- and community-based interventions that promote well-being, physical activity, and sports participation. He is the founder of the internationally award-winning Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered program. His contributions to research, teaching and community service have been recognised with more than 40 major awards for research, teaching and community impact. He is internationally recognised as an expert in quality physical education and sport and the development and delivery of interventions to improve the well-being and physical activity of children and families.
Arne Güllich
Prof. Dr. Arne Güllich is a full professor, head of the Department of Sports Science and director of the Institute of Applied Sports Science at the University of Technology of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Until 2008, he served at the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) as head of Departments of Talent Development, Sports Science, and Fundamental Affairs. Arne also coached youth and adult track and field athletes for 20 years, including national squad members and Olympians. His research interests focus on youth sport and talent development. Arne has conducted his research in domestic and international research teams, cooperating with practice organisations including the NBA, UK Sport, and a number of NSOs. His work has been published in renowned international peer-reviewed journals and several handbooks. Jointly with Michael Krüger, Arne is the editor of the German Handbook of Sports Science and the German standard textbook for university courses in sports science.
Further speakers will be announced in the coming months.
