Elizabeth Webster

Dr. Elizabeth Webster is an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies (KRSS) within the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. She holds roles including Secretary of the International Motor Development Research Consortium (I-MDRC) and Communication Director for the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA). Her research focuses on pediatric health, particularly motor skill development and physical activity interventions in children, with a strong emphasis on reducing childhood obesity and improving school/home health policies.

Dr. Webster holds a PhD and MEd in Exercise Science from Auburn University and a BS in Psychology from Berry College. Her work has attracted over $10.5 million in funding. Notable awards include the Louis K. Bell Research Award (2022) and the TAF Undergraduate Teaching Award (2018). She has served at Augusta University and Louisiana State University, where she was a Fulbright Scholar in the Czech Republic (2017).

Research Interests: Dr. Webster’s research examines the interplay between motor skills, physical activity, screen time, and academic performance in pediatric populations. She designs evidence-based programs targeting obesity prevention and motor skill competency in schools and early childhood centers. Her work bridges policy advocacy and practical interventions, such as painted playgrounds and mHealth technologies.

Recent Article Trends: Her publications emphasize global pediatric health, including motor skill disparities, sedentary behavior correlations, and cross-cultural analyses of childhood fitness. She frequently collaborates internationally, with studies spanning 17+ countries through initiatives like SUNRISE and I-MDRC.

Awards & Grants: Awards include national and institutional recognitions for research and teaching. Over $10.5M in grants support her work, focusing on scalable interventions like remote motor skill assessments and parental engagement strategies.

Labs & Teams: Active in applied exercise physiology and motor behavior laboratories at KRSS. Collaborates with global networks like the Healthy Weight Research Network and SHAPE America as a Research Fellow.