Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) CEO Anita Hobson-Powell has announced the appointment of two new ESSA Fellows in Dr Niamh Mundell and Professor Amanda Benson.
The award of an ESSA Fellowship recognises an individual who has achieved a high level of professional accomplishment, responsibility, and service to both the organisation and the industry of exercise and sports science.
A highly regarded Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP), Dr Mundell is a current ESSA Board member and lecturer within the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at Deakin University.
Also an AEP, Professor Amanda Benson is the Exercise and Sports Science Course Director in the School of Health Sciences at Swinburne University of Technology and a long-standing member and servant of ESSA.
Ms Hobson-Powell said both new fellows had demonstrated an impressive and ongoing commitment to the profession.
“Dr Mundell’s long-term service via the ESSA Victoria chapter Committee, the Standards Council, and now the ESSA Board on top of her contributions around research and clinical pathways clearly shows outstanding service and contribution to the field,” she said.
“She also recently published the results of new research into the impact of the pandemic on Exercise Physiology Services in Australia, which showed that while the profession was adaptable and agile, there remain some barriers to overcome around the accessibility of telehealth for vulnerable clients who cannot access clinically indicated care.
“Professor Benson is a dedicated member of ESSA who has made substantial contributions at a national level, with her work on ESSA’s Course Advisory Committee (including Chair) and as a Course Accreditation reviewer.
“The degree of innovation she has introduced in teaching and curriculum in addition to the reputation she has garnered, elevated her achievements above most others in the field.
“Interested in using exercise for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, her track record in research is also impressive, particularly given the leadership roles she has also held concurrently.
“We are immensely grateful for her contributions to ESSA and that of Dr Mundell as well.”
Dr Mundell (pictured left) and Professor Benson (pictured right) will be formally presented with their Fellowships later this year.
ENDS