Philip M. Wilson, PhD

Professor, Kinesiology

Phil Wilson

905 688 5550 x4997
[email protected]

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Philip M. Wilson, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Brock University, where he co-directs the Behavioural Health Sciences Research Lab (@brockbhsrl https://bhsrl.weebly.com/). His research program is situated in behavioural medicine with a broad focus on two questions: (1) What are the determinants and consequences of physical (in)activity and sedentary behaviour? (2) How do we measure physical (in)activity and sedentary behaviour? He is an internationally recognized scholar affiliated with the Center for Self-Determination Theory (Florida, USA) and the National Institute of Education at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore). In recognition of his research in exercise psychology, he received the Franklin Henry Young Scientist Award from the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology in 2004.

Research Interests

  • Motivational processes and health behaviours
  • Motivational interviewing and physical (in)activity behaviours
  • Measurement issues in behavioural health sciences

Professional Affiliations, Accreditations and Certificates

  • Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS)
  • North American Society for the Psychology of sport and Physical Activity
  • International Scholar, Faculty of Self-Determination Theory
  • International Faculty, National Institute of Education at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Academic Distinctions and Awards

  • Student Choice Award, Kinesiology Students Association, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University. (Year Awarded: 2021).
  • Research Excellence Award, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Brock University (Year Awarded: 2018).
  • Outstanding Reviewer(s) of the Year Award, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology [Official Journal: APA Division 47: Exercise and Sport Psychology] (Year Awarded: 2014).
  • Franklin Henry Young Scientist Award, Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (Year Awarded: 2004).

Scholarly Publications

Selected publications (2020 to present):

Hollins, K. E., Buchanan, S. M., Wilson, P. M., Mack, D. E., & Nagpal, T. S. (2024). A readability analysis of experimental vignettes used to communicate physical activity information during pregnancy: What did we learn? In A. M. Columbus (Ed.) Advances in Psychology Research (Vol. 152). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Publishers.

Ekkekakis, P., Vallance, J. K. H., Wilson, P. M., & Garber, C. E. (2023). Extraordinary claims in the literature on high-intensity interval training (HIIT): III. Is there evidence in cognate disciplines for some of its foundational arguments? Sport, Exercise, & Performance Psychology, 66, 1-11.

Rocchi, M., Wilson, P. M., Sylvester, B., Guerin, E., Shi, Z., & Sweet S. N. (2023). Towards brief tools assessing motivation for exercise: Rationale and development of a six- and 12-item version of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise 3 (BREQ3) Questionnaire. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 12(3), 205-227. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/spy0000321

Buchanan, S. M., & Wilson, P. M. (2023). Baby Steps: Communication tips to improve physical activity during pregnancy. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, 27(3), 20-25. doi: 10.1249/FIT.0000000000000863

Mack, D. E., & Wilson, P. M. (2021). Measuring psychological need satisfaction in exercise: A tale of two instruments. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences/Revue Canadienne des sciences du comportment, 53(4), 423-432. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000261

Wilson, P. M., Mack, D. E., & Janjic-Zarab, M. (2021). Assessing physical activity levels in children/youth living with Fragile X Syndrome. Palaestra, 35(3), 13-17.

Buckley, B. J. R., Thijssen, D. H. K., Murph, R. C., Graves, L. E. F., Cochrane, M. Gillison, F., Crone, D., Wilson, P. M., Whyte, G., & Watson, P. M. (2020). Pragmatic evaluation of a co-produced physical activity referral scheme: A UK quasi-experimental study. BMJ Open, 10.

Teaching and Service

Course taught at Brock University include:

  • KINE2P08: Research Design in Kinesiology
  • KINE2P41: Health and Physical Activity Promotion
  • KINE3P41: Communications in Health
  • KINE4P65: Physical Activity Counselling for Kinesiologists

Editorial Board memberships include:

  • Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology
  • Archives of Physical Health and Sports Medicine
  • Journal of Integrative Psychology and Therapeutics
  • Health Behavior and Policy Review

Undergraduate Student Opportunities

Professor Wilson is available to mentor undergraduate students wishing to pursue coursework emphasizing research training (e.g., KINE3P99, KINE4P99, KINE4F91) or clinical internships (e.g., KINE4P89). Undergraduate students are encouraged to review projects overseen in the Behavioural Health Sciences Research Lab then email Professor Wilson with a brief expression of interest describing their academic background, research interests, and career goals.

Graduate Student Opportunities

Professor Wilson is available to mentor qualified applicants wishing to pursue graduate studies focused on behavioural and/or population health. Potential applicants are encouraged to review projects overseen in the Behavioural Health Sciences Research Lab then email Professor Wilson with a brief expression of interest describing their academic background, research interests, and career goals.