The objectives of the ESSA Fellowship program are to recognise:
- substantial professional or scholastic accomplishments or contributions within the field of exercise and sports science; and
- distinguished service to ESSA.
The attainment of ESSA Fellowship status embodies peer recognition of one’s contributions and accomplishments for the profession, in concert with a continued leadership commitment to ESSA. A member with Fellow status shall be an individual who the Board determines to have demonstrated having made an outstanding contribution to the furtherance of the objectives of ESSA and the exercise and sports science profession.
ESSA invites Full and Academic members with a minimum of at least five years (not necessarily sequential) of Full or Academic membership to apply for Fellowship status. Applications must be received by June 30th or December 1st of each year, with successful Fellows recognised at the following ESSA National Conference or Annual General Meeting.
APPLICATION CRITERIA
In applying for Fellowship status of ESSA, the applicant must demonstrate outstanding contributions to ESSA and the exercise and sports science profession, such that they are acknowledged by their peers as outstanding. Furthermore, the applicant should provide evidence to demonstrate (through their application) significant contributions to ESSA in the form of:
- service to the membership or contributions for the benefits of the membership; and/or
- outstanding professional practice of exercise and sports sciences; and/or
- the creation of new knowledge or the translation of knowledge to benefit the practice of the exercise and sports sciences; and/or
- positively changing community knowledge, understanding and attitudes to exercise and sports science.
The following specific criteria must be met by applicants:
- Full or Academic membership of ESSA for at least five years (not necessarily sequential) and currently a member in good standing;
- Attendance at a minimum of one ESSA National (scientific) Conference in the past six years;
- Demonstrated distinguished service to ESSA and the field of exercise and sports science through one, or more, of the identified career pathways (i.e. academic/research, clinician/practitioner or service);
- Demonstrated evidence of an exemplary level of professional conduct;
- Demonstrated outstanding professional practice in the field of exercise and sports science through one, or more, of the identified career pathways (i.e. academic/research, clinician/practitioner or service);
- Written references from two ESSA financial members (as referees) supporting their application for Fellowship status, in particular, to support criteria 3 and 4; and Submission of curriculum vitae.
- Contributed to an ESSA committee, council or the Board for a minimum of two years.
Please note that meeting these criteria ensures the application will be reviewed and given every consideration by the committee. Achievement of minimum criteria does not automatically guarantee Fellowship of ESSA.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Full and Academic members of ESSA must submit their application for Fellowship status of ESSA by June 30th or December 1st each year.
- All decisions will be finalised by the end of September (for June application submissions) and March (for December application submissions).
- All applicants will be contacted by the ESSA National Office and notified of the outcome of their application.
- Successful ESSA Fellows will be presented their distinguished award at the next ESSA National Conference or Annual General Meeting.
PATHWAYS TO FELLOWSHIP
In acknowledging distinguished service to the field of exercise and sports science, ESSA is aware that applicants may have differing career pathways. Accordingly, ESSA recognises Academic, Clinical/Industry, and Service pathways to Fellowship.
Applicants are required to provide evidence that he/she has fulfilled the requirements of one or more of the following pathways. This documentation must not exceed five (5) pages (for each relevant pathway) and may be attached to this document or inserted into the relevant sections beneath.
ACADEMIC PATHWAY
Members who can demonstrate a distinguished track record of research and/or teaching in the field of exercise and sports science may qualify for ESSA Fellowship status. Research track record may be demonstrated by scholarly outputs such as journal publications, conference abstracts and papers, keynote and invited presentations, funded research grants, and postgraduate research student completions. H-Index and citation statistics can be submitted to support your application. Provide a complete list of all outputs and grants with full citation information.
Teaching track record may be demonstrated by course development, content development, innovative teaching methods, teaching awards, peer and student reviews. This requires a detailed narrative showing significant and sustained teaching excellence and achievement in exercise and sports science.
CLINIC/INDUSTRY PATHWAY
Members who provide distinguished service in areas of clinical exercise physiology, exercise and/or sports science and/or to the community in the field of public health or within sports settings may qualify for Fellowship status.
Distinguished service in exercise and sports science settings should entail a minimum period of at least five (5) years.
Such service may be through various professional roles/positions (e.g. exercise physiologist, exercise scientist, sports scientist, exercise technician, etc.), or by involvement in specific service delivery (such as direct promotion of health, clinical exercise assessment, provision of rehabilitative care, management of sports science and/or exercise services to sporting teams, etc.).
Evidence of distinguished service should be provided with a clear and detailed description of involvement in clinical and/or professional practice in the areas indicated above. This should include: length of appointment, proportion of time dedicated to these services and major clinical/service outcomes which demonstrate a significant and sustained service over the 5-year time period or longer.
SERVICE PATHWAY
Members who provide exceptional service to the ESSA organisation and the wider exercise and/or sports science community may qualify for Fellowship status.
This requires a detailed narrative showing significant and sustained service.
Exceptional service examples may include (but are not limited to):
- Clinical and practicum supervision of exercise and sports science students;
- Provision of specialised training; or professional development programs or ESSA programs;
- Significant contributions to the mentoring of ESSA graduates;
- Contributions to the governance or administration of ESSA at either State or National level;
- Representation on ESSA councils or committees (e.g. SC, AC, Course Accreditation, advisory committees such as EPAG or ESAG), industry committees (e.g. DVA, PHN) or other community based committees;
- Promotion of ESSA and the industry through the media or activities that promote ESSA or exercise and activity in the community;
- Development of educational material on behalf of ESSA;
- Involvement in organisation of State/National conferences, workshops and/or presenting lectures on behalf of ESSA;
- Development of policy, guidelines or ESSA position statements or other relevant material on behalf of ESSA;
- Editor or significant contributor to ESSA publications;
- Presentations to professional or other service organisations; or
- Representation on professional or other organisations (e.g. DoHA, public health committees, local area health boards).
IMPORTANT NOTE
When documenting evidence ESSA requires a clear demonstration of distinguished service to the field of exercise and sports science and that which would be considered to exceed routine conduct as an exercise and/or sports science professional. Please ensure documentation does not exceed five (5) pages (for each relevant pathway). Documentation may be attached to this document or inserted into the relevant sections above.