Leaders
Professor Philip Smithells, Director 1948-1974
The founding father of university physical education in New Zealand, Philip Ashton Smithells (PAS) was educated at Clare College, Cambridge, and studied physical education privately with R.E. Roper. In 1939, he was appointed Superintendent of Physical Education in the Department of Education, Wellington, before being appointed as founding Director of the School of Physical Education.
Professor Peter McIntosh, Director 1975-1978
Professor Peter McIntosh was educated at Oxford University and studied physical education at Carnegie College. An internationally renowned historian, philosopher and sociologist and a well published author, McIntosh was Senior Inspector of Physical Education to the London County Council before being appointed Professor and Director at the School of Physical Education in 1975.
Dr Bruce H. Ross, Acting Director/Director 1978-1981
A former student at the School of Physical Education, Bruce Ross gained a Master of Arts from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science from the University of British Columbia before returning to the academic staff of the School in 1969. An exercise physiologist, Bruce Ross was appointed Acting Director of the School in 1978, and was appointed Director in 1979.
Professor David Russell, Director/Dean 1981-1991
Born in Timaru, Professor Russell completed his PhD in motor control at the University of Michigan. He came to the School of Physical Education from the University of Queensland, and was Director in 1981 before becoming the first Dean later that year until 1991. He was foundation Director of the Life in New Zealand Activity and Health Research Unit at the University of Otago.
Professor Leslie R. Tumoana Williams, Dean 1991-1999
Ko Rongowhakaata me Ngāti Maru ngā iwi. Ko Te Arai te awa. Ko Te Poho ō Taharākau me Te Mana ō Tūranga ngā marae. Ko Manutuke te wāhi kainga. Tihei Mauri ora! Professor Williams (PhD, Berkeley, 1970; Personal Chair, 1985) was the first Māori to graduate from the School of Physical Education, and the first Māori to be appointed to a full-time academic position at Otago University. His major research interests were in movement learning and control.
Professor John W. Loy, Dean 2000
Regarded as one of the fathers of sociology of sport in North America, Professor Loy had a distinguished international career as a scholar and highly acclaimed author. Amongst the many international honours he received was an honorary doctorate from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland in 2000. He was the foundation Professor of Sport and Leisure Studies at the School of Physical Education, and Dean in 2000 before his retirement.
Dr Barry Wilson, Acting Dean 2001-2002
A science graduate of the University of Otago, Dr Wilson completed his master’s degree at Simon Fraser University (1974) and a PhD at the University of Iowa (1978). His first academic position was at the University of Queensland before returning to Dunedin in 1986 as a senior lecturer in the School of Physical Education. He was a charter member of the International Society of Biomechanics and a founder member of Sport Science New Zealand.
Professor Keith Davids, Dean 2002-2006
Professor Keith Davids came to the School of Physical Education from Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK where he was a Research Coordinator in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science. His research and teaching interests were in movement coordination, motor development and skill acquisition. During his time as Dean at Otago, he guided the School into the Performance Based Research Funding era.
Dr Michael Boyes, Acting Dean 2006-2007
Dr Michael Boyes was an undergraduate student at Massey University, completed his master’s degree at the University of Western Australia and a PhD at the University of Otago in 1999. Appointed to the academic staff of the School in 1998 in outdoor education, he was OUSA postgraduate supervisor of the year in 2005. He built a strong collegial environment during his term as Acting Dean of the School.
Professor Douglas Booth, Dean 2007-present
Born in Australia, Professor Booth gained his PhD from Macquarie University, and was an Associate Professor at Otago and a Professor at Waikato University before his appointment as Professor and Dean at the School of Physical Education in 2007. His primary research interests cover historiography and sport as a form of popular culture with an emphasis on political relationships and processes.
