Professor Helen Parker

PhD, MEd, BEd(Hons) UWA; DipPE, Secondary Teachers College

Executive Dean College of Health Sciences

Helen Parker joined Notre Dame in 2001 as foundation Head of Health and Physical Education and is currently Executive Dean and Dean of Health Sciences (Fremantle). She has been an academic for over 30 years. Her initial role was to develop new professional programs in physical education, exercise science and sport and recreation management with recent the development of graduate courses in exercise science and outdoor education. She teaches motor skill development, motor learning, physical education pedagogy and physical activity and health and also maintains her involvement in research. Her research is focused on physical activity intervention for health in children. She has gained research grants of almost $500,000 in last 10 years as part of multidisciplinary teams. She has co-authored 17 book chapters, 45 scientific papers, and made over 20 international and 50 State or national or conference presentations on children’s physical education. Outside of her university work, she has contributed to many government boards and reviews of sport and is a member for the post-compulsory course reference group and assessment panels of the Curriculum Council of Western Australia. She was appointed as the first female Commissioner of the Western Australian Football Commission during 2000 –2002. As a Fremantle-born and -educated person she has been a football supporter all her life with strong allegiances to the South Fremantle Bulldogs and, of course, the Fremantle Dockers.