Scottish swimming star and retired rugby international to address conference

The British Philosophy of Sport Association (BPSA) Annual Conference takes place at the University campus over the course of three days in March with researchers from across the world coming to Aberdeen to discuss the importance of sport, network, and exchange ideas.

Keynote speakers from academia and the world of professional sport will provide delegates with their unique perspectives on all aspects of games, play, and sport.

Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of RGU, said: “Sport plays such in key role here in the North East and we are delighted to be hosting the BPSA Annual Conference on our campus. This event is the ideal opportunity for those with a real interest in sport and the impact it makes on improving our lives to gather, discuss and exchange ideas.

“Alongside noted sports philosopher Dr Emily Ryall and Dr Niall Elliot, Chief Medical Officer to the British Olympic Team, we are pleased to welcome John Beattie and welcome back Hannah Miley to the University, and I am sure they will all give the delegates a unique insight into what it takes to achieve at the highest level of their respective disciplines.”

Dr Alfred Archer, Chair of the BPSA, said: "We are delighted to be holding Europe's leading Philosophy of Sport Conference at RGU. We have an exceptional line up of speakers, including two fantastic keynote speakers in Dr Erin Tarver and Dr John William Devine. Our upcoming conference promises to ignite fascinating discussions that will show the importance of engaging with sport philosophically."

Former Team GB swimmer Hannah Miley retired from competitive swimming in 2021 after a career which took her to three Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, where she won the 400m individual medley title in Delhi in 2010 before successfully defending it in Glasgow four years later. Hannah graduated from RGU in 2013 with a BSc in Applied Sports and Exercise Science and was able to combine her studies with her training and competition thanks to a specialised package of support.

She will be joined by former rugby international John Beattie, who won 25 caps for Scotland featured on two British Lions tours before moving into the world of broadcasting with the BBC.

Accompanying Hannah and John on the panel will be Dr Niall Elliot, Chief Medical Officer with the British Olympic Association and Head of Sports Medicine at the Scottish Institute of Sport, who has amassed more than two decades of working in sport from grassroots level through to multiple winter and summer Olympic Games.

Dr Emily Ryall, a former Chair of the BPSA, as well as a senior lecturer in the Philosophy of Sport at the University of Gloucestershire, completes the panellist line up.

The British Philosophy of Sport Association Annual Conference is being held at RGU from Thursday 21 March - Saturday 23 March in the Sir Ian Wood Building.

Keynote speakers at the conference include:

• Dr John William Devine, Senior Lecturer in Ethics, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea University
• Dr Erin Tarver, Associate Professor in Philosophy, Oxford College of Emory University
• Panel Discussion featuring leading sporting personalities on “Winning is Everything!”