Global Sport and Movement Collaborative
The Global Sport and Movement Collaborative (GSMC) is a bold new initiative from the University of Newcastle. We bring together world-class researchers, educators, and industry leaders to transform the future of sport, movement, and wellbeing.
Whether you're a prospective student, researcher, or industry partner, we offer a dynamic platform for collaboration, discovery, and change.
Our research streams
We bring a multi-disciplinary approach to exercise science, health and physical education, nutrition, sports management, business, entrepreneurship, technology and data science. We are tackling real-world challenges with innovative, inclusive, and impactful solutions.
Our work spans ten research streams:
- Physical Activity for Social Impact
This research stream investigates how physical activity can be leveraged to address complex social issues, including mental health, educational engagement, social inclusion, and violence prevention. It integrates theory, intervention design, and real-world partnerships to develop scalable programs that enhance wellbeing, build skills, and create positive developmental and community outcomes sustainable. - Girls' and Women's Sport
This research stream focuses on promoting women’s and girls’ participation in sport and physical activity. It examines barriers and facilitators, designs inclusive interventions, and evaluates impacts on health, wellbeing, and empowerment. The work aims to advance gender equity, inform policy and practice, and create supportive environments across schools, communities, and sporting systems globally. - Physical Activity for Cognitive and Mental Health
This research stream examines how physical activity supports cognitive function and mental health across the lifespan. It investigates underlying mechanisms, develops targeted interventions, and evaluates impacts on outcomes such as mental health, wellbeing, and executive functioning, with the aim of informing evidence-based practice, policy, and scalable programs in education, healthcare and community settings. - Optimising Athletic Performance
As leaders in the field, our collaborative researchers utilise an interdisciplinary approach and world-class facilities to investigate practical end-user outcomes. We integrate cutting-edge technology into performance enhancement strategies across applied sport science (e.g., fatigue and recovery), biomechanics (e.g., foot and gait), and talent identification. Through strong links with industry partners, we embed researchers directly within professional environments to solve real-world problems. - Physical Activity for Clinical Populations
This research stream investigates the use of physical activity to prevent and manage chronic and complex health conditions in clinical populations (e.g., individuals with type 2 diabetes). Researchers develop and evaluate tailored interventions to improve physical and mental health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and support long-term behaviour change, informing clinical practice, policy, and scalable healthcare solutions. - Community Sport and Physical Activity
This research stream examines the role of community sport and physical activity in promoting health, social connectedness, and inclusion. It investigates participation patterns, program quality, and environmental influences, and develops scalable interventions to enhance access and engagement, aiming to strengthen communities and improve population-level physical, mental, and social wellbeing outcomes. - Injury and Rehabilitation
This research stream focuses on the prevention, management, and rehabilitation of injuries related to sport and physical activity. It investigates risk factors, recovery processes, and return-to-play strategies, and develops evidence-based interventions to optimise healing, reduce re-injury, and support safe, effective participation across clinical, athletic, and community settings. - Sport Business and Law
This research stream examines the business and legal dimensions of sport, including governance, integrity, contracts, and commercialisation. It investigates regulatory frameworks, risk management, and ethical issues, and analyses industry practices to inform policy, protect stakeholders, and support sustainable, transparent, and accountable sport organisations operating in complex global environments. - Physical Literacy and Schools
This research stream focuses on developing physical literacy and promoting physical activity in school settings. It examines curriculum design, pedagogy, and school environments, and develops evidence-based interventions to enhance students’ motivation, competence, and lifelong engagement in movement, supporting health, wellbeing, and educational outcomes across diverse populations and schooling contexts. - Sport Technology and Analytics
This research stream explores the use of technology and analytics to enhance sport performance, participation, and decision-making. It investigates data collection, modelling, and digital tools, and develops innovative applications to optimise training, monitor health, and inform strategy, supporting athletes, coaches, and organisations in increasingly data-driven sporting environments globally.
News
News • 04 May 2026
Team sport the MVP for kicking kids’ mental health goals
Findings examining sport participation and mental health in children and adolescents reveal that organised sport, particularly team sport, can be a powerful setting for supporting mental health and social development.
News • 09 Mar 2026
Globally recognised academic named 2026 Lake Mac Ambassador
Professor Tamara Blakemore honoured with Lake Macquarie’s top annual civic award for her tireless work as a global leader in community violence prevention.
News • 25 Feb 2026
Exceptional educators celebrated in national teaching awards
Two academics from the University of Newcastle have been recognised for their innovative and creative teaching styles at the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).
News • 23 Feb 2026
Students, take the lead: how a peer-led program could transform our kids’ trajectories
Giving primary-school students a chance to teach and lead their younger peers not only strengthens their leadership skills, but also improves wellbeing, classroom engagement and student confidence, a new Australian study has shown.
News • 01 Dec 2025
Exercise for students with disability boosts wellbeing beyond the classroom
An innovative school exercise program targeting students living with a disability has shown short bursts of physical activity during the school day significantly improve health and learning outcomes.
News • 13 Nov 2025
National praise for world-leading program smashing gender norms
A groundbreaking father-daughter well-being program aimed at empowering daughters and their father-figures has received national recognition at last night’s Engagement Australia 2025 Excellence Awards in Sydney.
Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.