Research Opportunities

As an academic centre, The Steadward Centre values collaboration and learning. We are committed to working with researchers and graduate students whose projects support our mission to “foster community and individual achievement and excellence in Adapted Physical Activity and Para sport by applying innovative research, sharing our expertise, and delivering quality programs, with and for, individuals experiencing disability.”

Participate in Research

If you are a Steadward Centre participant or family member looking to participate in research, please ensure you are or follow us on social media ( | | ) to review opportunities for participation.

Collaborate in Research

If you are a researcher or graduate student interested in collaborating with The Steadward Centre on a research project, please reach out to our director, Dr. Jennifer Leo at tscdir@ualberta.ca.

Please ensure you have reviewed our mission, vision, and core values to ensure that your project aligns with our values.

our research affiliates

Dr. Adalberto Loyola Sanchez

Headshot of Beto

Dr. Loyola-Sanchez completed his medical & specialty training in Mexico City and his research training at McMaster University (MSc and PhD, Vanier scholar) and at the University of Calgary (postdoctoral studies, Banting scholar). Since then, he has been working on developing a program of mixed methods research to design, implement and evaluate community-based rehabilitation programs for people living with disabilities produced by chronic illnesses in outreach communities. This program focuses on implementing community-based participatory action research projects for underserved populations living with chronic complex musculoskeletal conditions (i.e., Indigenous rural communities in Mexico) and for people living with complex chronic neurological disabilities in ß÷ßäÉçÇø. He is currently working in the Spinal Cord Injury program at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton and provides care to people with SCI in acute, inpatient rehabilitation and community settings.  Dr. Loyola-Sanchez leads several community-based participatory mixed methods research projects directed to improve participation of people living with complex disabilities in rural Mexico and in ß÷ßäÉçÇø.

Dr. Hayley Morrison

 Headshot of Hayley Morrison

Hayley is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the ß÷ßäÉçÇø. Hayley's research focuses on professional development and training for inclusive and adaptive physical education and physical activity. Her research is centred on supporting collaborative approaches for practitioners - teachers, educational assistants, staff and volunteers - to support meaningful experiences in movement. She loves spending her time dancing, exploring the outdoors, and playing sports like slo-pitch, padel and soccer.


TSC Research Affiliate Program

Integral to our mission, The Steadward Centre strives to foster community, individual achievement and excellence in Adapted Physical Activity and Para sport by applying innovative research, sharing expertise and delivering quality programs with and for individuals experiencing disability. In support of this, TSC has established an affiliate program for faculty, postdocs, graduate students and community-based researchers.

Becoming a TSC Research Affiliate

Affiliates support the shared values of connection and collaboration by bringing together The Steadward Centre, the ß÷ßäÉçÇø and community-based researchers across Canada for collaborative research projects in the area of Adapted Physical Activity and Para sport for individuals experiencing disability. TSC welcomes applicants from affiliated academic institutions or individuals engaged in community-based research (e.g., faculty, postdocs, graduate students or research coordinators). In particular, TSC welcomes those from groups who have traditionally been under-represented in research activities — for example, persons experiencing disability or those who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour). Please note that Research Ethics Board approval is required for all projects.

Key criteria for acceptance as a TSC Research Affiliate:

  • Maintain an active agenda of research, programming, teaching, service (including advocacy and policy development), etc. (Please note: You are not required to be active in all of these areas.)
  • Commit to making an ongoing contribution to the work of TSC.
  • Agree to adhere to TSC values.

For details about The Steadward Centre-Research Affiliate relationship and how to apply, please review the and complete the .


Research with TSC

As a research-based Adapted Physical Activity and Para sport Centre, we are committed to expanding and fully integrating research, teaching and knowledge transfer across all programs, initiatives and services.

We strive to embed research and teaching centre-wide.

Research Resources

Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation — Areas of Research

Journals and Associations

  • is the major peer-reviewed research journal in Adapted Physical Activity.
  • is an international organization dedicated to the promotion, dissemination and practical application of results and findings in the field of physical activity for the benefit of populations with disabilities.
  • is a cross-disciplinary professional organization of individuals, institutions, and agencies supporting and promoting Adapted Physical Activity, disability sport, and all aspects of sport, movement, and exercise science for individuals with disabilities.