Participation at the World Anti-Bullying Forum with research on teacher training in bullying
The research team behind the project Bullying in Physical Education: Impact of a Training Program for Future Primary PE Teachers presented the first findings of their study at the World Anti-Bullying Forum 2025, held from 11 to 13 June in Stavanger, Norway.
Their contribution, delivered as a poster presentation, shared the project’s progress with the international scientific community. This study aims to analyse the impact of a training program for undergraduate Physical Education students on preventing and managing school bullying.
Current reports indicate that up to 35 % of school bullying incidents occur within the school environment, and an increasing number of studies emphasize the crucial role of Physical Education in this context. PE teachers are essential for preventing, detecting, and intervening in bullying situations. However, evidence suggests that future teachers often do not receive specific training on this issue during their university education.
Within the project, 153 undergraduate PE students from three Spanish universities (70 % female participation) attended a 90-minute theoretical session and a 90-minute practical session focused on understanding the phenomenon of bullying, its types, contexts, consequences, and intervention strategies.
Early results indicate that participation in the training program had a positive impact on participants’ learning perceptions, fostering greater awareness and preparedness to address bullying situations within Physical Education.
The project team—funded by the UAB’s 2024 Pre-Competitive Projects call (Emerging Leaders)—includes Xènia Ríos (IRE‑UAB), Carles Ventura (INEFC Barcelona), Maria Prat (IRE‑UAB), Gonzalo Flores (University of Seville), and Marta Borrueco (IRE‑UAB). They will continue to delve into the collected data and advocate for enhanced training of future teachers in this critical area for student well‑being.