Dr. Biljana POPESKA is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Teaching and Learning, at the University of Luxembourg. Her research is focused on different aspects of physical education (PE) and physical education teacher education (PETE), including the use of signature pedagogies in initial PE and CPD programs for PE teachers, intercultural learning through physical education, physical activity in formal and informal setting, quality physical education etc.
Prior to taking her current position at the University of Luxembourg, she was a full professor at the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Goce Delcev University in Stip, North Macedonia, engaged in teaching Physical Education related courses at the study programs for pre-school education, primary school education and pedagogy at both undergraduate and post–graduate level.
Her research interest is related to didactics of physical education for pre-school and primary school education, motor development of children, holistic learning through physical education, sport pedagogy and physical activity in leisure time.
Working experience
- May 2023 – August 2023: Full professor at Faculty of Educational Sciences, Goce Delcev University in Stip, Republic of Macedonia.
- 2018 – 2023: Associated Professor, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Goce Delcev University in Stip, Republic of Macedonia.
- 2013 – 2018: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Goce Delcev University in Stip, Republic of Macedonia.
- 2007 – 2013: Young assistant (2007 – 2010), assistant (2010 – 2013), Teaching Faculty, Goce Delcev University in Stip, Republic of Macedonia.
- 2006 – 2007: Instructor (demonstrator) at subject Didactics at natural sciences at the) Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Pedagogy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
- 2004 – 2007: Instructor (demonstrator) at subjects Aerobics and Pedagogy of Sport at the Faculty of Physical education and Sport, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Education
- 2011 PhD (Physical education and sport), Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. Thesis`s Title: Development of morphological and motor dimensions at 6- and 7-year-old male children.
- 2009 M.A. (Physical education and sport), Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. Thesis`s Title: Determination and comparison of latent structure of motor space at 6- and 7-year old children.
- 2007 B.A. (Pedagogy) Faculty of Philosophy, Institute of Pedagogy, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
- 2004 B.A. (Physical education) Faculty of Physical education and Sport, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.
Publications
Book chapters (in English):
- Popeska, B., Tufekcievski, A., & Aceski, A. (2020). Physical Education and School Sport in the Republic of North Macedonia. In Naul, R., & Scheuer, C (Eds.), Research on Physical Education and School Sport in Europe, (pp. 333-360). Aachen; Meyer & Meyer Verlag, Germany ISBN 978-3-8403-7539-2
- Popeska, B., Klincarov, I., Malcev, M., & Malcev, I. (2020) Physical education and sport and Universities in the Republic of North Macedonia. In Bobrík, M., Antala, B., & Pělucha, R (eds.), Physical Education in Universities Research – Best Practices – Situation, (pp. 347-356). Bratislava: Slovak Scientific Society for Physical Education and Sport and FIEP. ISBN 978-80-89075-91-1
- Malcev, M., & Popeska, B. (2017). Primary school physical education in Republic of Macedonia – condition and challenges. In Colella, D., Antala, B., & Epifani, S. (eds.), Physical Education in Primary School: Research – Best Practices – Situation. (pp: 447 – 462). Pensa Multimedia in cooperation with University of Foggia, Italy.
- Popeska, B. (2016). Common obstacles in the realization of the physical education teaching process in primary education in Republic of Macedonia. In Scheuer, C., Bund, A., & Holzweg, M (eds.), Changes in Childhood and Adolescence: Current Challenges for Physical Education, (pp: 131 – 146). Berlin: Logos Verlag. ISBN 978-3-8325-4697-7
Popeska has more than 100 publications of scientific and professional articles published in international journals and proceedings books. With more than 50 presentations worldwide, she is an active participant in conferences, many of them as a keynote or invited speaker.
Books and Handbooks (in Macedonian):
- Popeska, B. (2022). Motor development of children in preschool and early school period. Goce Delcev University, North Macedonia
- Popeska, B. (2019). Movement games. Goce Delcev University, North Macedonia
- Popeska, B. (2013). Handbook “Fundaments of physical education for preschool and primary school children” Goce Delcev University, Macedonia
- Popeska, B. (2012). Handbook “Manual for PE school practice” Goce Delcev University, Macedonia
- Popeska, B., Mitevska Petrusheva, K., & Maksimova, S. (2021). Handbook “10 steps for outdoor education”
Editorial Boards
- Editor in chief of the Journal “Research in Kinesiology” (ISSN 1857- 7679)
- Editor in chief of the Journal “Activities in Physical Education and Sport” (ISSN 1857-7687)
- Guest editor of the Journal “Sustainability” Special Issue: The Role of Physical Activity in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
- Member of the Scientific board of the Journal “Physical Education, Sport, Kinesiotherapy Research Journal” ISSN 2534-8620.
Professional memberships
Projects
Popeska was part of the research teams for studies such as the HopSport Brain Break study and the PACS study which were coordinated by the Global Community Health Foundation as well as national studies related to Professional development of teachers in the Republic of Macedonia – conditions and perspectives – researcher and Competences of pre-school teachers for intercultural communication.
She has been involved in different PE and sport related Erasmus+ projects. Some of them are listed in the following: TeachIn Sport, Erasmus+ project (country coordinator and researcher); BeValueR Reload – Erasmus+ Sport project (researcher and country coordinator); Tennis clubs for dual careers (TC4DC) – Erasmus+ Sport project (researcher, trainer and country coordinator); Meaningfulness in Youth Sport – Erasmus+ Sport project (researcher and country coordinator); PULSE project (researcher, trainer and country coordinator); HealthyYouth Project (researcher); European school sports day (ESSD) – national coordinator; Balkan Fit project (researcher); Outdoor Activities For Social Connectedness, Cohesion and Well-being of Youth (researcher); PETIC project (researcher).
