Gordon B Spence International Positive Psychology Association 8th IPPA World Congress 2023

Gordon B Spence

Gordon is a registered psychologist, accredited exercise scientist, experienced educator, and private practitioner. In a 20-year academic career, he has worked for both the University of Sydney and University of Wollongong, including appointments as Head of Students, Academic Program Director, and Post-Doctoral Fellow. He is currently teaching part-time within the Coaching Psychology Unit at the University of Sydney. Throughout his time in academia, Gordon steadfastly maintained a coaching and consulting practice and provided organisations with a range of services related to leadership development, employee engagement, team performance, and workplace wellbeing. On these topics, Gordon has published one monograph, 2 edited books, and over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. More recently, Gordon’s wellbeing interests have been expanded by the completion of an exercise science degree. Recognising the ongoing global challenges of physical inactivity and ageing populations, his work has focused on addressing the ‘paradox of exercise’ via an integration of psychology and exercise science. This has led to the development of the innovative Health Activation Process, which is a person-centred, collaborative approach to motivating physical-activity-induced sustainable performance and healthy ageing. In two recent publications – Get Moving Keep Moving and 26 Ways to Keep Moving – Gordon has argued that ‘taking enjoyment seriously’ is a key consideration for interventions that wish to enhance physical health as a way of stimulating improvements in wellbeing and performance. Relevant qualifications • PhD, University of Sydney • Master of Applied Science (Coaching Psychology), University of Sydney • Bachelor of Psychology (Hons.), University of Wollongong • Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Newcastle Books on sustainable performance and heathy ageing • Spence, G.B. (2022). Get moving keep moving: Healthy ageing and how physical activity loves you back. Longueville Media: Sydney • Spence, G.B. & Spence, R.J. (2022). 26 ways to keep moving: The joyful connections people make with their physical selves. Longueville Media: Sydney