Colin Higgs, Ph.D., M.Sc, M.Ed, B.Sc.

Dr. Higgs is Professor Emeritus at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, where, before his retirement, he served as Professor and Dean of the School of Human Kinetics.  Trained in the United Kingdom, the USA, and Canada he holds advanced degrees in sport science, educational technology, and sport system organization.

Much of Dr. Higgs work has been in the area of improving sport for persons with a disability, including the design of equipment and optimization of training and performance techniques. In addition to his academic involvement he has coached athletes with a disability (and able bodied athletes) at World Championship level.  This work was recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) when he became the first-ever recipient of the IPC Sport Science Award.

Since 2004 he has been working with Sport for Life to fundamentally re-design the Canadian Sport system to improve the quality of sport, and has worked with many National Sport Federations to re-think the development of their athletes for enhanced high-performance and also for improved population health.  A critical component of this sport-system transformation has been the focus on Physical Literacy – ensuring that children gain the competence and confidence to engage in physical activity throughout their lives.  Dr. Higgs is the author of more than 100 academic publications, and co-authored, “Canadian Sport for Life – Long-Term Athlete Development” the blueprint for change within the Canadian system. 

A past President of CAHPERD (now PHE-Canada), and Vice-President of the International Council for Sport Science and Physical Education, he has worked with physical education, sport, recreation and the health system to improve the lives of people everywhere.

Dr. Higgs is a well-known speaker at conferences in Canada and around the world, and has worked with governments and sport organizations in more than 50 countries. His international work has focused on using sport to advance the lives of disadvantaged youth, and using sport as a tool to reduce gang violence, reduce drug and alcohol abuse, and reduce the incidence and impact of HIV/AID.  His most recent international work was in Rwanda, using sport to reduce post-genocide tensions between the children of victims and children of perpetrators, and Azerbaijan where he worked with UNICEF to increase educational opportunities for children with a disability.

Colin now lives North of Kingston, Ontario where he shares his lakeside home with his wife Mavis and a multitude of wild animals.