Dr. Arianne Reis started her career as a physical education teacher and sports coach working in low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Her work focused on providing opportunities for active leisure for children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and for those with physical and mental disabilities with the aim of engaging them in positive experiences and in healthy behaviours. After 10 years working as a practitioner, both as a teacher and also as project manager at state departments of sport, Arianne moved to New Zealand to pursue a PhD focusing on outdoor recreation, using leisure studies as a foundation for the study. After her PhD completion, Arianne moved to Australia to join Southern Cross University as a Research Fellow, and since then has made Australia her new home. Arianne is currently Director of Academic Program for the Master of Public Health and Master of Health Sciences programs at Western Sydney University, while also continuing to teach and research in health and leisure sciences. Her current research focuses on the ways active leisure pursuits can promote healthy living, environmental awareness and social justice. Dr Reis is also engaged in research focusing on healthy universities and student learning experiences, particularly focused on student mental wellbeing.

WL Committees Involvement

• Board organization and Governance
• Research and Knowledge Transfer
• Educational Services (World Leisure Centers of Excellence Coordination)
• Strategic Priorities Grant
• Communities of Excellence