CASES Outreach Hub Project Expands and UWS Hosts Successful Outreach Day

The Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) is celebrating the continued growth and success of its national Outreach Hub initiative, designed to inspire school pupils, teachers and the wider public by showcasing the breadth and impact of sport and exercise science.

Now expanded to 36 hubs across the UK, the CASES Outreach Hub network is enabling more higher education institutions to engage local communities through school visits, public talks, webinars, and hands-on learning experiences. The Hubs will again support the popular CASES School Poster Competition in 2025–26, with even more schools expected to participate following the addition of four new Hubs this year.

Prof John Dickinson FCASES, Chair of the CASES Outreach Panel, praised the rapid expansion and the high standard of applications:

“Expanding the number of outreach hubs to 36 is amazing in such a short space of time. CASES Outreach Panel is delighted that we now have so many institutions able to support CASES and deliver excellent outreach across the UK. The increased number of Hubs will enhance CASES’ ability to spread the word about the great applied work and research that our members do to make a difference to society.”

Spotlight on Success: University of the West of Scotland Outreach Day

One of the Hubs, The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) held its Outreach Day in November 2025. Now in its third year as a CASES Outreach Hub, UWS welcomed 60 students aged 16–17 from St John Ogilvie High School for an immersive day of sport and exercise science activities aligned with their Higher PE and/or Dance studies.

Held at a key moment in pupils’ decision-making process—just ahead of UCAS deadlines—the event offered a unique opportunity to “be a student for a day.” Pupils ate on campus, took part in interactive teaching sessions, and learned how to design a scientific poster in preparation for the CASES competition.

Throughout the day, pupils rotated across three hands-on workshops:

• Exercising in Extreme Environments: Including an eight-minute cycling time trial in 75% humidity inside the UWS environmental chamber.
• Exploring Ageing and Muscle Function: Using ageing suits to simulate changes in movement, strength and coordination across the lifespan.
• Understanding Disability Sport: Experiencing wheelchair basketball and boccia to explore inclusivity and performance in disability sport.

Dr Hayley McKewan MCASES, Senior Lecturer in Psychology of Sport and co-lead of the UWS Outreach Hub, highlighted the value of these immersive sessions:

“These interactive activities allow pupils to experience the role of sport science in supporting people from diverse groups. They also get to understand what university life is like—learning, eating and collecting data just as our students do. The day really helps pupils see the breadth of sport and exercise science and how it applies to real people and real challenges.”

The UWS team also shared their excitement for the year ahead, noting that a pupil from their Hub won the CASES poster competition last year, earning the school a specialist athlete-development workshop in 2026 as part of their prize.

Looking Ahead

The Outreach Hub programme continues to strengthen pathways into sport and exercise science, broaden participation, and highlight the vital role of evidence-based practice in improving health, performance and wellbeing across society.

For more information about CASES Outreach Hubs or to get involved in upcoming initiatives, please visit the CASES Outreach Hub webpage.