Dr. Joe Barrett

Professor (EdD), Department of Educational Studies

Available for Graduate Advisement

Joe Barrett

Office: BUBC 165
St. Catharines, ON
905 688 5550 x3639
[email protected]

Joe Barrett, EdD, is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Education. His research and service duties are oriented around school health policy and health and physical education pedagogy. Dr. Barrett, an FOE Award for Teaching Excellence Recipient(2022), teaches a number of elementary and secondary B.Ed. courses focused upon physical and health education curriculum, instruction, and policy as well as graduate M.Ed. courses focused upon physical and health education policy and curricula. In service to the field, he has served as the Ontario representative on the Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada Board of Directors, as Co-Chair and Chair of the PHE Canada Research Council, and as Co-Chair of the PHE Canada National Research Forum.

Research Interests and Activities

  • School health policy
  • Health and physical education pedagogy
  • Culturally responsive pedagogy
  • Sport coaching pedagogy
  • Problem-based learning
  • Sport & physical activity for marginalized students

Professional Affiliations and Accreditations

  • Physical and Health Education Canada Research Council
  • The Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) in America
  • Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA)
  • Canadian Society for the Study of Education
  • Coaching Association of Canada
  • Ontario College of Teachers

Recent Publications

Sulz, L., Morrison, H., Robinson, D. B., & Barrett, J. M. (2025). Contemporary physical education curricula across Canada: an overview and analysis. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/25742981.2025.2486622 

Volante, L., Klinger, D., & Barrett, J.M. (2025). In 2025 and beyond, schools need to teach more than just ‘the basics’. The Conversation, January 2025. https://doi.org/10.64628/AAM.dvjsg33ah 

Robinson, D. B., Barrett, J.M., Walters, W., & Harenberg, S. (2024). Game Changers: School sport as a resource of hope for students with disabilities. Pedagogies: An International Journal, 1-22. https://doi-org.proxy.library.brocku.ca/10.1080/1554480X.2024.2397531.  

Barrett, J.M. (2024). Second career perspectives in physical and health education teacher education. In Bradford, B. (2024). The Health and Physical Educator and the Doctoral Journey: International Educationalist Perspectives. (Ed.). Leiden, The Netherlands: BRILL Sense. 

Walters, W., Robinson, D., Barrett, J.M., Harenberg, S., Cudmore, A., Zakaria, T., & Fahie, K. (2024). Game Changers: Providing Equitable Sporting Opportunities for Students with Disabilities. Revue phénEPS / PHEnex Journal, 14 (2), 1-21. 

Robinson, D.B., Harenberg, S., Walters, B., Barrett, J.M., Cudmore, A., Fahie, K., & Zakaria, T. (2023). Game Changers: A Participatory Action Research Pilot Project for/with Students with Disabilities in School Sport Settings. Frontiers in Sport and Active Living, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1150130 

Awards and Distinctions

Brock University Faculty of Education Award for Excellence in Teaching 2022 

Award based on displaying qualities of superior teaching, enthusiasm for discipline, 

Interest in the needs of students 

 

Metzler Freedman Exemplary Paper Award 2018 

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education 

Article titled: Physical Literacy (Mis)understandings: What do Leading Physical Education  

Teachers Know About Physical Literacy? (Robinson, Randall, & Barrett) 

 

Excellence in Educational Leadership Award 2011 

Center for Research on Physical Activity, Sport & Health, D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY

Courses Taught

Graduate Studies in Education

  • EDUC 5P57 – Physical Education in the Curriculum
  • EDUC 5P96 – Educational Internship
  • EDUC 5P98 – Independent Study in Education