Usha Sujit Nair, PhD.
Usha S. Nair is a distinguished academic, sport policy expert, and international leader in physical education with over three decades of experience in teaching, research, and institutional leadership. She served as the Officiating Vice-Chancellor of the National Sports University, Imphal, and as Associate Professor at Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram, and is currently an Emeritus Resource Faculty at Rashtriya Raksha University, India. She serves as Vice President of the International Society of Comparative Physical Education and Sport (ISCPES) and the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW), and is a Development Committee Member of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE). Prof. Nair holds a Ph.D. in Physical Education from Jiwaji University and has made substantial contributions to the field through her publications, book chapters, and international presentations. She is a recipient of the prestigious Margaret Talbot Award (2021 and 2025) from IAPESGW in recognition of her contributions to advancing physical education and sport for girls and women globally. Her work spans sport governance, gender and sport, health promotion, and capacity building, including coordinating national programmes benefiting thousands of physical education teachers across India. Prof. Nair has also played an active role in policy and community engagement, contributing to initiatives such as e-Khel Pathshala under Khelo India and serving on the Kerala State Planning Board’s working group on sports (2022–2027). Her professional vision centres on advancing inclusive, equitable, and high-quality physical education and sport systems that promote health, wellbeing, and sustainable development.