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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

His current focus is embedding the National Physical Activity Pathway into Health and Social Care through a systems-based approach.

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

With over 20 years’ experience in physical activity and public health, he collaborates with local, national, and community partners to design and evaluate programmes that encourage and enable people to be more physically active.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

Chris Topping is a Health and Wellbeing Specialist with the Health and Social Care Partnership in Dumfries and Galloway.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

Forbes served as a non- Executive Director on the Board of the British Paralympic Association for the past six years, and over a similar time period was the voluntary Chair of his local disability sport organisation, South Lanarkshire Disability Sport.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

Forbes then took up the role of Chief Executive at Scottish Swimming and during his six years the sport enjoyed year on year membership growth, made significant progress rolling out the National Learn to Swim Framework and saw Scottish athletes competing at the highest level.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

Forbes was the COO at sportscotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland, from April 2019 before being appointed Chief Executive Officer in January 2023. He started his career working in local government, then moved to sportscotland holding various positions from2003 - 2013

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

This post is a funded partnership between COSLA and sportscotland who are committed to working together to ensure future sustainability and viability of the sporting systems and increase the profile of sport and physical activity within COSLA and across local government.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

Jillian Gibson is a Policy Manager for Sport and Physical Activity at COSLA, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. A membership organisation representing Scotland’s 32 councils.

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 2d

Your second keynote announcement is here!

Title: From national to local: perspectives on how policy and decision-making is influenced by evidence in leisure, sport, and physical activity in Scottish local government.

Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

A SPARC conference poster announcing three keynote presenters, with headshots of:

Jillian Gibson, Policy Manager for Sport and Physical Activity at COSLA

Forbes Munro, Chief Executive Officer ats sportscotland

Chris Topping, Public Health Improvement Lead, Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care Partnership

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 5d

@pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 5d

The Scientific Committee meet at Strathclyde yesterday, to review our abstract and workshop submissions.

Thank you to everyone who submitted. Announcements will be sent in due course.

If you'd like to join us at SPARC 2025, don't forget to register: www.epay.ed.ac.uk/conferences-...

An open laptop on a table, showing a blurred screen of an excel spreadsheet, with a coffee in the background

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 12d

Submission deadline extended!

If still need to submit an abstract to SPARC 2025, you're in luck! You now have until 5pm Monday 6th Oct.

Submit at the following link: forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm

@pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social

A conference poster for SPARC 2025 detailing abstract submission info

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 20d

Only 1 week remaining to submit your workshop application and help shape SPARC 2025. Closing date: 5th October

forms.office.com/e/0WPpKWHnD1

@pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

A conference poster detailing workshop submission details for SPARC 2025

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 20d

There's still time to get your abstract submission in for SPARC 2025, but be quick, there's only 1 week left!

forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm

@pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

A conference poster advising on abstract submission details for SPARC 2025

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 28d

@scottishgov.bsky.social

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 28d

SPARC poster sessions are a great way to engage and connect with academics, policy makers and practitioners.

Submit your abstract to get involved in this year's session: forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm

@pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

Poster boards being reviewed by delegates at a conference

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 29d

@pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · 29d

Keynote Announcement

When and how does evidence inform policy and practice? Reflections from road transport and health

Dr Adrian Davis, Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health through Distinction
Professor of Transport & Health, Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier

Dr Adrian Davis, Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health through Distinction (FFPH)
Professor of Transport & Health, Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University
FPH Bazalgette Professor: Champion of Evidence Award (2025-2027)

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · Sep 9

This year's conference will once again take place at the fabulous John McIntyre Conference Centre at Edinburgh's Pollock Halls.

www.sparc.education.ed.ac.uk/conference-v...

Have you got your ticket yet? Register here: edin.ac/3V5EsEj

Conference Venue 2025

www.sparc.education.ed.ac.uk

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · Sep 3

We are still welcoming submissions to host a workshop at this year's SPARC Conference. Make sure you submit by 5th October.

@pahrc.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social

forms.office.com/e/0WPpKWHnD1

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · Sep 3

@pahrc.bsky.social @scottishgov.bsky.social @unistrathclyde.bsky.social @movementfhealth.bsky.social

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · Sep 3

Submissions have been coming in thick and fast for this year's SPARC Conference. Make sure you submit by 5th October.

forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · Aug 27

Workshop submissions are open! As with previous years, the SPARC 2025 conference will include six workshops aligned with the theme of the conference.

Submission deadline: 5th October
forms.office.com/e/0WPpKWHnD1

Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · Aug 27

Abstracts submissions are now open! This year’s conference theme is "Evidence in Action, Using physical activity research in policy and practice."

Submission deadline: 5th October

forms.office.com/e/aRd0244Spm

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Scottish Physical Activity Research Connections @scotparc.bsky.social · Aug 27

Registration now open! Secure your place at this year’s SPARC conference by purchasing your ticket at the link below.

www.epay.ed.ac.uk/conferences-...

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