International publication showcases the impact of #WSPA2024

We're proud to celebrate the publication of a major international research paper demonstrating the lasting impact of the #WSPA2024 International Whole-School Physical Activity Conference, which Yorkshire Sport Foundation (YSF) co-hosted with the University of Bradford.

Published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (IJBNPA), the paper, "Co-designing policy, practice, and research directions for whole-school physical activity: towards sustainable culture change", is the direct result of collaborative work that took place during the conference. Rather than simply sharing existing evidence, delegates actively contributed to generating new knowledge through a series of co-design workshops.

What makes this publication particularly special is the scale and diversity of voices involved. Drawing on insights from 152 participants representing research, policy and practice across 16 countries, delegates worked together to identify the key priorities needed to embed whole-school physical activity and create lasting culture change.

Those discussions have been translated into 24 evidence-informed recommendations, providing a practical roadmap to strengthen policy, practice and research both nationally and internationally.

Alex Ogden YSF - Education Development Manager said:

"We've always believed that bringing together diverse voices is the way to tackle complex challenges. This publication is a great example of what becomes possible when local delivery, national policy and international evidence are genuinely connected, and when research is shaped by the people who understand what implementation actually looks like on the ground.

"It's also a reminder that conferences can be so much more than networking and knowledge exchange. When you create genuine space for practitioners, researchers, policymakers and education leaders to collaborate meaningfully, the evidence produced has the power to influence action long after the event itself, and that's exactly what WSPA2024 achieved."

We look forward to continuing to work with partners across Yorkshire, the UK and beyond to support schools in creating environments where every child has the opportunity to be active, healthy and ready to learn.