Dr. Brent Bradford
Professor, Education (After Degree)
Dr. Brent D. Bradford, who holds a BEd (2000), DipEd (2008), MEd (2010), and PhD (2015) from the University of Alberta, is a Professor of Education and Co-Chair of the Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Wellness at Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE). A career spanning over two decades in both K-12 and post-secondary education, he is a nationally recognized educator, researcher, and advocate for quality physical and health education and student well-being.
Dr. Bradford’s extensive scholarly work is deeply rooted in his research interests, which include physical and health education (PHE), higher education, inclusive education, and campus wellness. He is a prolific author and co-author, with a number of influential publications to his name, including two co-authored teacher education textbooks: Physical Education for Elementary School Teachers: Foundations of a Physical Literacy Journey (2018) and Teaching for Health & Wellness in Children and Youth (2017). His research has also been supported by internal and external funding, including from SSHRC and NSERC, for projects on topics such as early childhood physical activity, inclusive education, Speak Science Simply, and student wellness.
A significant aspect of Dr. Bradford’s scholarly contributions is his role as the Founder and Series Editor of the internationally-acclaimed book series, The Doctoral Journey in Education (Brill). This series is a collective narrative of doctoral graduates, providing an insightful, practical, and highly motivating resource for current and prospective doctoral students. The series, which includes his edited volumes The Doctoral Journey: International Educationalist Perspectives (2021) and The Doctoral Journey: Educationalist Perspectives (2024), underscores the doctoral journey as a non-linear “lattice” of ever-evolving professional and personal relationships, experiences, and insights. This work highlights the resilience and determination required to navigate the complexities of advanced academic studies and offers guidance for both students and their supervisors.
Throughout his career, Dr. Bradford has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards for his excellence in teaching, research, and service. These honours include CUE’s Gerald S. Krispin “President’s” Research Award (2019) and Judith C. Meier Excellence in Teaching Award (2025). In 2025, he was also the recipient of the PHE Canada Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the organization’s highest honours. This recognition is particularly meaningful as it follows his “Young Professional Award” from the same organization in 2003, exemplifying his career-long dedication to advancing quality physical and health education across the country. His service to the academic community is extensive and includes roles as President of the Education Society of Edmonton, a PHE Canada Board Member, and a Research Advisor for UNICEF Canada.
Publications
BOOK SERIES EDITOR
The Doctoral Journey in Education: https://brill.com/display/serial/DOCJ
SELECTED BOOKS
Bradford, B. (2024). The Doctoral Journey: Educationalist Perspectives. (Ed.). BRILL. https://brill.com/display/title/70410
Bradford, B. (2021). The Doctoral Journey: International Educationalist Perspectives. (Ed.). BRILL Sense. https://brill.com/display/title/54646
Gleddie, D., Hickson, C., & Bradford, B. (2018). Physical Education for Elementary School Teachers. Ripon Publishing.
Berg, S. Hickson, C., Bradford, B. & Fishburne, G. (2017). Teaching for health & wellness in children and youth. Ripon Publishing.
SELECTED BOOK CHAPTERS (Since 2020)
van Ingen, B., Bradford, B., Bowman, P., Uditsky, B., Skidmore, J., & Periera, S. (2022). Transitioning dreams to reality: Inclusive post-secondary education at Concordia University of Edmonton. In K. Scorgie (Ed.). Transition Programs for Children and Youth with Diverse Needs, 18, 191-206. In C. Forlin (Series Ed.). International Perspectives on Inclusive Education. Emerald: UK. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/S1479-363620220000018014/full/html
Bradford, B. Hickson, C., & Berg, S. (2020). The teaching continuum: A framework for generalist trained elementary school teachers in physical education. In B. Suesee, M. Hewitt, & S. Pill (Eds.), The Spectrum of Teaching Styles in Physical Education. (pp. 152-165), Routledge: USA. https://doi-org.ezproxy.aec.talonline.ca/10.4324/9780429341342
SELECTED PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES (Since 2020)
Subban, P., Woodcock, S., Bradford, B., Romano, A., Sahli Lozano, C., Kullmann, H., Sharma, U., Loreman, T., & Avramidis E. (2024). What does the village need to raise a child with additional needs? Thoughts on creating a framework to support collective inclusion. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2024.2338398
Bradford, B., Loreman, T., & Sharma, U. (2023). Principles of inclusive practice in schools: What is COVID-19 teaching us? Principles for the Inclusive School, International Encyclopedia of Education (4th Ed.), 115-125. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128186305120548?via%3Dihub
Zentner, K.E., Bradford, B.D., & van Ingen, B. (2022). Student wellness in higher education: A focus on social, physical, and financial wellness. The International Journal of Learning in Higher Education, 29(2), 87-110. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-7955/CGP/v29i02/87-110
Camara, F., Berg, S., Bradford, B., Hutchinson, S., & Sardeli, A. (2022). Measuring the environment for physical activity in early childhood: A narrative and systematic literature review. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 16(2), 159-186. doi:10.17206/apjrece.2022.16.2.159
Subban, P., Bradford, B., Sharma, U., Loreman, T., Avramidis, E., Kullmann, H., Sahli Lozano, C., Romano, A., & Woodcock S. (2022). Does it really take a village to raise a child? Reflections on the need for collective responsibility in inclusive education. European Journal of Special Needs Education. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08856257.2022.2059632
Hall, N., Robinson, D., Bradford, B, & da Costa, J. (2022). Alternative environment activities in physical education: A research-informed rationale and practical suggestions for teacher practice. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 93(1), 36-44. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07303084.2021.2000526
Robinson, D., Hall, N., da Costa, J., & Bradford, B. (2021). Alternative environment activities on both sides of the Atlantic: A Canada-Ireland consideration and comparison. European Physical Education Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356336X20985883
Bradford, B., Eblie Trudel, L., Katz, J., Sokal, L., & Loreman, T. (2021). Promising practices for preparing Canadian teachers for inclusive classrooms: Analysis through a transformative learning lens. International Journal of Inclusive Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1882058
Berg, S., Bradford, B., Barrett, J., Robinson, D.B., Camara, F., & Perry, T. (2021). Meaning-making of student experiences during outdoor exploration time. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 21(2), 172-183. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2020.1769694
Bradford, B.D., Howorko, A., Jacula, E., Daniels, J., Hunt, S., & Correia, N. (2020). Tracking daily steps: An investigation on a small post-secondary campus. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine, 3(31), 75–86. https://doi.org/10.18276/cej.2020.3-06
Hall, N., Bradford, B., da Costa, J., & Robinson, D.B. (2020). Physical education teachers’ embracement of alternative environment activities. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 39(4), 508-517. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2019-0060
SELECTED NON-PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES (Since 2020)
Bradford, B. & Hall, N. (2025). Stringing together: An alternative environment activity. Canadian Teacher Magazine. (Spring 2025), 28-29. https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2025/04/20/12875/
Bradford, B. & Frantsi, J. (2025). Find your groove through Hip Hop dance. Canadian Teacher Magazine. (Winter 2025), 26-27. https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2025/01/27/find-your-groove-through-hip-hop-dance/
Bradford, B., Wright, E., & van Leusden, S. (2024). Stop, drop, and move: It’s time for an energizer. Canadian Teacher Magazine. (Spring 2024), 18-19. https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2024/04/15/stop-drop-and-move-its-time-for-an-energizer/
Bradford, B. (2023). Cooperative learning activities: A new school year is an ideal time for cooperative skill development. Canadian Teacher Magazine. (Fall 2023), 30-31.
Kruse, J., Bradford, B., Liddell, B, & Camarta, B. (2021). Math trails: New adventures are waiting! Canadian Teacher Magazine. (Issue: Spring), 22-24.
https://canadianteachermagazine.com/2021/04/21/10498/#more-10498