ISMPB Elections

Dr. Julia Kathrin Baumgart is a Marie Curie Global Research Fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway and the University of British Columbia – Okanagan in Kelowna, Canada. Her research ambition is to contribute the broader goals of diversity and inclusion for people with mobility limitations, by fostering greater accessibility and possibilities to participate in activity through innovative technology and research.

Why do you wish to serve on the ISMPB Board?

1. 1. Expertise in Physical Activity Research:
      • • With a solid foundation in physical activity research, I have actively contributed to advancing our understanding of movement behaviors, wearable monitors, and ambulatory monitoring in people with mobility limitations.
        • My research has focused on underrepresented populations, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive approaches to physical activity assessment.
   2. Commitment to increasing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI):
      • • I am committed to promoting diversity within the ISMPB community. I believe that diverse perspectives lead to innovative solutions and better outcomes.
        • As a board member, I will actively work to ensure that underrepresented groups have a voice and are included in decision-making processes.
   3. Collaboration and Networking:
      • • Serving on the board provides a unique platform to collaborate with experts from around the world. I am eager to foster connections and facilitate interdisciplinary research.

What skills and experience do you have that would be valuable to ISMPB in your role as a Board Member?

1. 1. Passionate about increasing DEI in physical activity behavior research:
      • • Currently part of the DEI committee at ISMPB
          Analyzed all abstracts of the 2015-2022 ICAMPAM conferences for diversity aspects (poster presentation ICAMPAM 2024)
        • Part of the staff network for employees with a disability and the DEI forum at NTNU
   2. Organization of inter-disciplinary and cross-cultural events
      • • I greatly enjoy the facilitation of team efforts that bring people together
        • Part of the organization committee for ISMPB’s virtual fall symposium 2023
        • Actively involved in organizing several seminars and conferences at NTNU and in Norway
          Initiated several co-creation workshops with research participants
   3. Professional visualizations
      • • Created visuals for social media posts leading up to ISMPB’s virtual fall symposium 2023
        • Actively involved in dissemination of research in several visual formats (infographics, animated data visualizations, automated research participant reports)

Alexis is an associate professor at the department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, ENS Rennes, Rennes University, France. His research areas are about the ambulatory assessment of physical activity and functional capacity using activity monitors, in both healthy participants and participants with functional limitations, with a specific interest in the ambulatory assessment of walking ability in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (LEPAD) in relation to exercise physiopathology.

Why do I wish to serve on the ISMPB Board?
Since my first ICAMPAM in Limerick in 2015, I have attended every ICAMPAM conference. All the physical activity researchers that I listened to or met during these conferences played a role in my journey as a researcher. After being involved as a participant, I now want to be involved in the operation and development of the ISMPB. In fact, it has already started! This year, I have the honor of being the local organizer of ICAMPAM 2024 and it will be a pleasure to welcome the delegates to France in Brittany! Organizing the conference over the past two years has been a rich experience, and this is also a proof of my desire to get involved in the ISMPB! By serving on the ISMPB board, I would like to pursue my involvement in ISMPB.

What skills and experience do you have that would be valuable to ISMPB in your role as a Board Member?
First, my experience in my research area would serve to extend the ISMPB influence. My research works led me to be the chair of Global Positioning Systems in Health Research Network (GPS-HRN). In 2022, with my co-chairs we proposed to migrate to the ISMPB as a special group of interest for spatial data measurement in the study of physical behavior. After ICAMPAM 2024, I will work to progress on the opportunities of this connection.
Second, my experience in organizing ICAMPAM 2024 would help in the organization of future ISMPB events.
Third, the connection of my institution with Indian institutes of research would also help to extend the ISMPB audience and its diversity.

Amy Shirong Lu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies of the College of Arts, Media and Design and in the Department of Health Sciences of the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University. She directs the Health Technology Lab, focusing on the psychological, physiological, and behavioral mechanisms and effects of digital interventions using active video games, XR, and apps for exercise and rehabilitation across the developmental spectrum. Her research interests include narratives, mediated characters, and digital media to improve exercise behavior and cognitive health.

Why do you wish to serve on the ISMPB Board?
While my academic roots originated in the humanities and social sciences, my extensive interdisciplinary training and research experience have shaped me into a versatile health behavior research scientist. I am passionate about leveraging my background in interdisciplinary health technology research to advance public health and communication. Recent years have seen a proliferation of digital technological devices (e.g., video games and XR) with immense potential for promoting physical activity and rehabilitation among the public and clinical populations. Serving on the ISMPB Board will allow me to contribute my expertise in health communication, technology, and behavioral interventions to further ISMPB’s mission. I aim to help connect the academic community with industry partners to offer rigorous assessment and evaluation of these commercially available devices with rigor and efficacy.

What skills and experience do you have that would be valuable to ISMPB in your role as a Board Member?
As an interdisciplinary researcher, I have extensive experience in health communication and public health technology, with a proven track record of interdisciplinary collaboration and leadership in academic settings. I also have a strong background in securing and managing large-scale research grants. As a communication scientist and award-winning researcher in narrative health communication, I focus on using digital and interactive media (e.g., video games, XR) for physical activity promotion among various populations. I aim to advance physical activity promotion technology and create more research opportunities for colleagues. I would like to promote ISMPB to academic and industry fields, enhance public understanding of physical activity measurement science, and demonstrate its benefits. I also aim to forge industry partnerships to advance digital technology for exercise.