Lecturer
Office: Scarfe 2123
Phone: 604–822–9366
Research Interests
- Quality Physical Education
- Multisectoral partnerships
- Curriculum development
- Physical literacy
- Pedagogy
- Meaningful Physical Education
- Models-Based Practice in Physical and Health Education
- Curriculum and Pedagogical Innovations in Physical and Health Education
- Whole school approach
Biography
Education
University of British Columbia, 2025, PhD, Curriculum Studies
University of British Columbia, 2014, MEd, Curriculum Studies (Physical Education)
University of British Columbia, 2006, BEd, Physical Education and Geography
University of British Columbia, 2005, BKIN, Physical Education
Biography
I am a Lecturer in the Health, Outdoor, and Physical Education (HOPE) program area in the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy. I teach secondary and elementary Physical and Health Education curriculum and pedagogy methods courses, Teacher Inquiry, and I also contribute to the HOPE Master of Education cohort.
Born and raised in Vancouver, I have dedicated more than 25 years to advancing quality Physical and Health Education. Before joining UBC, I worked as a K–12 Physical and Health Education teacher, department head, and assistant athletic director. These experiences continue to shape my teaching, research, and professional commitments. My dissertation, as well as my broader research and professional work, focuses on multisectoral collaboration, leadership, and partnerships that advance school-based physical activity, physical literacy, and quality Physical and Health Education. I am particularly interested in how curricular and pedagogical change can be enacted across education, sport, recreation, and health contexts.
I am a strong advocate for quality Physical and Health Education and the physical literacy movement. In my teaching and professional work, I aim to create conditions that support meaningful collaboration, and I believe that when we listen, share, and work together, stronger practice can emerge. In 2024, I was selected to participate in the AIESEP Summer School for PhD Students in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. In 2019, I received the UBC Faculty of Education Lecturer Teaching Prize.
I currently serve as the British Columbia Representative on the PHE Canada Board of Directors. Outside of my university work, I am also a husband, father, and coach, and I remain closely connected to youth sport development and the promotion of physical literacy. My projects have included work related to building physical literacy and physical activity capacity across schools, sport, recreation, and health sectors, peer leadership and physical literacy promotion in elementary schools, and national physical and health focused initiatives such as the 60 Minute Kids’ Club Challenge.
Presentations
International
McGinley, S., Petherick, L., Faulkner, G., Clarke, A. (2026, April 30) Multisectoral Partnerships in Promoting Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Schools: A Qualitative Study. Oral Presentation at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Scientific Conference – 2026 – Dialogues of Practice Across Cultures, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan. June, 2026.
McGinley, S. (2025, May 6–7). Multisector partnerships in the promotion of health, physical literacy, and physical activity in school contexts under scrutiny: A scoping review. Paper presented at the I Congreso Internacional en Actividad Física y Salud en población general, clínica y especial (CIAFYS 2025), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain. https://ciafys.congreso.info
McGinley, S. (2025, May 6–7). Moving with the land: Preparing educators for health, outdoor, and physical education. Paper presented at the I Congreso Internacional en Actividad Física y Salud en población general, clínica y especial (CIAFYS 2025), Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain. https://ciafys.congreso.info
McGinley, S. (2024) Exploring multisectoral partnerships in the promotion of health, physical literacy, and physical activity in school contexts: A scoping review. Oral Presentation at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Scientific Conference – 2024 – Past Meets Future, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, May 12, 2024.
Hall, N., Randall, L. & McGinley, S. (2024) Examining PETE Instructors and Programming in Canada: Links to the United States. Presented at the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE) Conference, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, January 5, 2024.
McGinley, S. (2021) Active children today, healthy adults tomorrow: Getting serious about physical activity and physical literacy in our schools. Online Poster presentation at the International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Scientific Conference – Descending the Mountains, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
McGinley, S. (2021) Much of the Same or Radical Change (Reform): A Case for a Multi Sectoral Approach to Quality Physical Education. Presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Special Interest Group (SIG) 93 online – Grad talks, USA, February 17, 2021.
Hall, N., Randall, L., McGinley, S., & Jobel, J. (2020) Navigating the Shifting Canadian PHETE Landscape. Presented at the National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE) Conference, Palm Springs, California, USA, January 4, 2020.
McGinley, S. (2017). Peer Leadership for Physical Literacy. Presented at the International Physical Literacy Conference (IPLC), Winnipeg, Manitoba, May 8, 2019.
McGinley, S. (2017). Is what we are doing, working? – 60 Minute Kids Club Program Evaluation. Presented at the International Physical Literacy Conference (IPLC), Toronto, Ontario, April 12, 2017.
McGinley, S. (2017). Enacting Curriculum and Pedagogical Change in Physical and Health Education. Poster Presented at theInternational Physical Literacy Conference (IPLC), Toronto, Ontario, April 12, 2017.
Butler, J., McGinley. S. & Anokwuru. J. (2016). Democracy in Action through the Inventing Games Process: Teacher Views. Presented at the 6th International TGfU Conference and 10th dvs-Sportspiele-Symposium, German Sports University, Cologne, Germany. July 25, 2016.
Butler, J., & McGinley. S. (2016). Democracy in Action through the Inventing Games Practical Session. Presented at the 6thInternational TGfU Conference and 10th dvs-Sportspiele-Symposium, German Sports University, Cologne, Germany. July 25, 2016.
McGinley. S. & Kanavos (2016). Enacting curricular and pedagogical change in Physical Education. Poster Presented at the 6thInternational TGfU Conference and 10th dvs-Sportspiele-Symposium, German Sports University, Cologne, Germany. July 25, 2016
McGinley, S. & Sheppard, J. (2015). Promoting physical literacy within the physical education classroom through affective questioning. Presented at the International Physical Literacy Conference (IPLC), Vancouver, BC, June 4, 2015.
National
McGinley, S., Petherick, L., Faulkner, G., Clarke, A. (2026, April 30) Multisectoral Partnerships in Promoting Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Schools: A Qualitative Study. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada Research Forum – Oral Presentation, Vancouver, B.C., April 30, 2026.
McGinley, S. (2026). Designing Quality Physical and Health Education – Physical Literacy as the Outcome through Meaningful Physical Education. Presented at the Northwest Territories Teacher Association Provincial Conference, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, February 19 & 18, 2026.
McGinley, S. & Ogilvie, J, (2026). Exploring the BC Physical and Health Education Curriculum. Presented at the Northwest Territories Teacher Association Provincial Conference, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, February 19, 2026.
McGinley, S., Paterson, D., Petherick, L., Faulkner, G., & Clarke, A. (2025). Multisectoral partnerships in the promotion of health, physical literacy, and physical activity in school contexts under scrutiny: A scoping review. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum – Oral Presentation, Niagara Falls, Ontario, May 1, 2025.
McGinley, S. (2024). Exploring multisectoral partnerships in the promotion of health, physical literacy, and physical activity in school contexts: A scoping review. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum – Grad Student World Cafe, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, May 1, 2024.
McGinley, S. (2023). Much of the Same or Radical Change? The Case for a Multi-Sectoral Approach to Quality Physical Education. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum – Grad Pitch and Ditch Presentation, Charlottetown, PEI, May 4, 2023.
McGinley, S. (2023). Teachers Returning to the Island: Supporting teachers ongoing professional development in school-context. Presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE) Conference – PHETE SIG – Oral presentation, York University, Toronto, Ont., May 30, 2023.
McGinley, S., Baker, B., Sulz, L., & Casey, A. (2022). Interrupting: “But this is the Way, We’ve Always Done It!”. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum Online – Disrupt and Dismantle, Ottawa, Ontario, April 28, 2022.
McGinley, S. (2022). Much of the Same or Radical Change? The Case for a Multi-Sectoral Approach to Quality Physical Education. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum Online – Grad Pitch and Ditch Presentation, Ottawa, Ontario, April 28, 2022.
McGinley, S. (2021). Insights into the BC School Physical Activity and Physical Literacy (SPA-PL) Summer Institute Working Group Collective. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum Online – Oval Table Presentation, Ottawa, Ontario, April 29, 2021.
McGinley, S. (2021). Much of the Same or Radical Change (Reform): A Case for a Multi Sectoral Approach to Quality Physical Education. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum Online – Grad Pitch and Ditch Presentation, Ottawa, Ontario, April 29, 2021.
McGinley, S. & King, K. (2021). Teachers of Tomorrow Project – UBC Post Secondary Wellness Initiatives. Presented at the Shape the Future Conference, via Zoom, Edmonton, Alberta, January 13, 2021.
McGinley, S. & Jackson, B. (2019). Reconceptualizing Physical and Health Education Through Curricular and Pedagogical Innovations. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum, Montreal, Quebec, May 1, 2019 .
McGinley, S., Gleddie, D. & Temertzoglou. (2019) Quality Physical Education as a catalyst for healthy (and successful) school systems. Presented at the Canadian Association of School system Administrators (CASSA) Conference. Richmond, BC. July 4, 2019.
McGinley, S. & Jackson, B. (2019). Promoting Physical Self-Efficacy, Motivation and Communicating Student Learning in PHE through GPAI assessment. Presented a practical session at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference, Montreal, Quebec, May 1, 2019.
McGinley, S., Butler, J., Renwick, K., Petherick, L., Banack, H. (2017). Exploring the Landscape of Physical, Health, and Outdoor Education in British Columbia – Roundtable Discussion. Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum. Whistler, BC, May 16, 2018.
McGinley, S. (2018). UBC Wellness in Post-Secondary Education. Presented at the National Forum on Wellness in Post Secondary, Concordia University of Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta. November 22, 2018.
Butler, J., Kanovos, K., McGinley, S., Jackson, J. (2015) Deconstructing Traditional Approaches through the Establishment of a Community of Learners: Enacting Change in a Secondary Physical Education Department, Presented at the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada National Conference Research Council Forum., Banff, AB, April 30, 2015.
Local
McGinley, S., Petherick, L., Faulkner, G., Clarke, A. (2025) Multisectoral Partnerships in Promoting Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Schools: A Qualitative Study. Poster Presentation at UBC Faculty of Education – Research Showcase and Celebration, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, January 28, 2025.
McGinley, S. (2021) Active Children Today, Healthy Adults Tomorrow: Getting Serious About Physical Activity and Physical Literacy in Our Schools. Presented at the UBC 8th Education Graduate Students (EGS) Conference 2021, “Transforming and Translation: Curriculum and Change”, Vancouver, BC, March 19, 2021.
Chan, C., McGinley, S. & Shandro, B. (2019). Changing the Narrative in Physical Education: Teachers Candidate Insights into a Vision and Interpretation of Health Outdoor and Physical Education. Presented at the West Cast Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC. November 8, 2019.
McGinley, S. (2019). Supporting our Students Overall Wellness thru the Physical Literacy Journey. Presented at the Quality Physical Education (QDPE) Conference hosted by Douglas College. New Westminster, BC. October 25, 2019.
McGinley, S. (2019). Quality Physical Education as a catalyst for healthy (and successful) school systems. Presented at the Quality Physical Education (QDPE) Conference hosted by Douglas College. New Westminster, BC. October 25, 2019.
McGinley, S., Mitchell, J. & Manzini, L. (2018). Networking and How to Make PHE BC Stronger. Facilitated a working discussion and Presented at the Quality Physical Education (QDPE) Conference hosted by Douglas College. New Westminster, BC. October 22, 2018.
McGinley, S. (2017). Infusing Physical Literacy into the PHE Curriculum. Presented at the Quality Physical Education (QDPE) Conference hosted by Douglas College. New Westminster, BC. October 25, 2019.
Butler, J. & McGinley, S. (2016). Democracy in Action through the Inventing Games Process practical presentation. Presented at the Quality Physical Education (QDPE) Conference hosted by Douglas College. New Westminster, BC. October 23, 2016.
McGinley, S. (2016). Breaking Open Health in the New PHE Curriculum. Presented at the Quality Physical Education (QDPE) Pro D Day hosted by Douglas College. New Westminster, BC. October 23, 2016.
McGinley, S. & Kanavos, G. (2014). Enacting curricular and pedagogical change in physical education. Presented at the Quality Physical Education (QDPE) Conference hosted by Douglas College. New Westminster, BC. October 23, 2014.
Selected Publications
McGinley, S. (2025). Much the same or radical change? : the case for a multisectoral approach to quality physical education (T). University of British Columbia. Retrieved from https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0450944
Baugh Littlejohns, L., McKee, G., Rasali, D., Naiman, D., Mee, J., Osborne, T., Dang, P., Winters, M., Lear, S. A., Nelson, D., McGinley, S., & Faulkner, G. (2024). Follow the arrows: Using a co-created causal loop diagram to explore leverage points to strengthen population physical activity promotion in British columbia, Canada. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, , 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2023-0740
McGinley, S., Paterson, D., Petherick, L., Faulkner, G., & Clarke, A. (2023, September 28). Exploring multisectoral partnerships in the promotion of health, physical literacy, and physical activity in school contexts: A scoping review protocol. Retrieved from osf.io/6fb9j
McGinley, S., Petherick, L., & Clarke, A. (2023). Teachers Returning to the Island: Supporting teachers ongoing professional development in school-context. [Manuscript in preparation].
Kanavos, G., & McGinley, S. (2014, June 30). Enacting change in a secondary Physical Education department [G]. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0447915
Butler, J., Sullivan, S., McGinley, S., Vjanjes, M. (2007). Teaching Danish longball to introduce striking games. The Physical and Health Education Journal, 73(3) 29-33.
CHAPTERS SUBMITTED
Kanavos, G. and McGinley, S. Curricular and Pedagogical Change in Physical Education. Book
Reconceptualizing Physical Education through Teaching Games for Understanding.
Research Projects
Kanavos, G., McGinley, S. (2014). Curriculum and Pedagogical Change in Physical Education, Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University of British Columbia.
Courses Taught
EDCP 322A – Physical Education Methodologies: Secondary PE specialists
EDCP 320 – Health Outdoor and Physical Education (HOPE) Methodologies: Elementary (IB, IE, SEL, MY, CITE, SRL and PBL cohorts)
EDUC 315 – Short Practicum – Faculty Advisor
KIN 369 – Instructional Design for Physical Activity and Sport
EDCP 420 – Advanced Elementary Health, Outdoor and Physical Education (HOPE)
EDUC 450B – Inquiry I (Secondary PE Specialists)
EDUC 451B – Inquiry II (Secondary PE Specialists)
EDUC 452B – Inquiry III (Secondary PE Specialists)
EDUC 421 – Long Practicum – Faculty Advisor
EDUC 430 – Community Field Experience – Faculty Advisor
EDCP 533 – Health, Outdoor and Physical Education (HOPE) Curriculum, Pedagogy and Place in the Elementary School
EDCP 530 – Physical Education Innovations
EDCP 508 – Current Research in Physical Education