Cash registers throughout Dundee can expect a workout as the city’s two universities come together to host a major sport and exercise science conference.
One of the UK’s rising sports stars Kim Murray, who made her skeleton racing World Cup debut earlier this month, will be in attendance as Dundee and Abertay Universities co-host the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).
More than £250,000 is expected to be generated for the local economy as an estimated 250 delegates descend on Dundee University’s Dalhousie Building for the two-day event on April 17.
Audrey Duncan, sport and exercise science manager at the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise, said: “It is a huge honour to host the BASES Student Conference 2019 as it is one of the biggest events on the UK sport and exercise calendar.
“This is the first time since 2006 that BASES has held this event in Scotland, and with great links to Dundee by car, rail and air, we’re anticipating a large number of people attending.
“We have already secured an exciting and varied group of keynote speakers and are now just putting the finishing touches in place ahead of what promises to be an inspiring two days.
“This conference will develop our future sport and exercise scientists by showcasing the fabulous teaching, research and consultancy work being undertaken by institutions across the sector to improve physical and mental health, tackle disease and enhance athletic performance.”
Europe Cup gold medal winner Murray will be joined by a host of top speakers at the event, including Dr Niall Elliot from the sportscotland Institute for Sport.
Organisers hope the conference will provide students and experts from across the UK sport science sector an opportunity to share knowledge and network.
The Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau, which assisted the universities with their bid, predicts that more than £257,000 will be generated for the local economy by the event.
Karen Tocher, the organisation’s business tourism manager, hailed the gathering as “a fantastic opportunity for our leading institutes to showcase their expertise on a national stage, using the conference as a platform to support knowledge exchange and forge new partnerships and networks.”
Dr Ashley Richardson, from Abertay’s Division of Sport and Exercise Sciences, added: “I’m really excited for the BASES Student Conference 2019 coming to Dundee.
“It will help profile the developing city and allow a number of leading academics and practitioners to showcase their cutting edge work, inspiring the next generation of sport scientists.”
