“Mind the GEP” Bursary Celebrates Women Researchers with and without Disabilities at ISAPA2025

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, the ISAPA2025 team at Munster

Technological University (MTU) proudly launched a special “Mind the GEP”

Bursary—an initiative dedicated to supporting women with and without disabilities

undertaking research in sport to attend this year’s International Symposium on

Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA) in MTU Kerry, Ireland from June 16–20, 2025. ISAPA

is under UNESCO Patronage and includes a UNESCO ISAPA International

Consultation on Inclusive Physical Activity and Disability-Inclusive Sport, also

hosted via www.isapa2025.com.

This call to action is part of our broader commitment to gender equity and inclusion in

sports science and physical activity research, aligning with the EU-funded Mind the GEP

project and the legacy of the Beijing Declaration—marking its 30th anniversary in 2025.

About the Mind the GEPs Project

MINDtheGEPs is an EU-funded project tackling Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) in

research institutions. By supporting structural change and reducing gender gaps in

academia, it ensures women researchers—particularly those from underrepresented

backgrounds—are given the support, visibility, and access they deserve.

Why This Bursary Matters

As the world reflects on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, this bursary

echoes global calls for gender equity and inclusion, especially for women at the

intersection of sport, disability, and research. In the spirit of #ForAllWomenAndGirls and

the #Fit4LifeGlobal agenda, this initiative seeks to amplify the voices of disabled women

researchers reshaping the field of physical activity, physical education and adapted sport.

Bursary Aims: Shift the Dial on Inclusion

The bursary champions the voices of disabled women researchers, amplifying their

contributions to adapted physical activity, inclusive fitness, and the rights of women and

girls with disabilities. It invites those who are not just participating in sport—but reshaping

how it’s taught, delivered, and experienced by diverse communities.

With over 30 inspiring applications from across the globe, the selection committee was

deeply moved by the passion, resilience, and leadership of women transforming the

landscape of adapted sport.

Meet Some of the Applicants Changing the Game

Veronique Marisson (Mauritius)

A wheelchair tennis player, coach, and educator in accounting, Veronique has spent over

30 years promoting inclusion through sport. As a coordinator for the International Tennis

Federation and the Handisport Federation in Mauritius, she’s facilitated programs in

special needs schools and trained others in inclusive sport practices. Attending

ISAPA2025 will help her expand these workshops—especially for youth and women with

disabilities.

Kathryn Creveling (USA)

A PhD student in Adapted Physical Education, Kathryn is researching leisure activity

interests among visually impaired adults in the U.S. Her application reflects the barriers

faced by academics with disabilities navigating academia. A bursary would support her

international travel to ISAPA, enabling her to build vital networks and bring global

research frameworks into her U.S.-based work on recreation accessibility.

Rhiannon Cooper (UK)

Autistic and ADHD personal trainer Rhiannon is the founder of “Neurodivergent Gym

Audits”—an initiative aimed at making fitness environments more inclusive for

neurodivergent individuals. Her passion lies in removing sensory, social, and procedural

barriers that hinder participation. At ISAPA2025, she hopes to collaborate with experts to

scale this advocacy and push for accessible fitness qualifications for future disabled

trainers.

Monica Susana Gayoso Magdalena (Argentina)

With over 25 years in adapted physical education and disability rights advocacy, Monica

is a veteran leader who has taught at universities, led major adapted sport events, and

championed inclusive education in Latin America. ISAPA2025 would mark a powerful

capstone to her career—and an opportunity to connect across borders through a lifetime

of lived expertise.

A Platform for Connection, Collaboration & Change

Through the generous support of Mind the GEP, this bursary is more than financial

support—it’s a chance for women scholars with and without disabilities to take the

stage, shape policy, influence research, and collaborate globally. Their experiences

reflect intersectional barriers and brilliance, where gender, disability, education, and

activism meet. This is critical for the UNESCO Consultation taking place at ISAPA 2025

entitled ‘Policy Change for Disability Inclusion in Sport: Paris 2024 Call to Action Follow-

Up.’

At ISAPA2025, we believe in a world where research is richer when it’s inclusive, and

where women with and without disabilities are not just beneficiaries but leaders in the

movement for equity in sport.

Follow Their Journey

Join us in Kerry and follow along at www.isapa2025.com as these and other trailblazing

researchers share their knowledge, forge international alliances, and shape the future of

adapted physical activity and inclusive sport.

Together, let’s #ShiftTheDial for #ForAllWomenAndGirls.

Because when we invest in equity, access, and voices from the margins—we all

move forward.