Whitehead, M and Durden-Myers, L 
ORCID: 0000-0001-7705-1138
(2026)
'In conversation with Professor Margaret Whitehead: closing thoughts and reflections.'
In: Durden-Myers, L, ed.
Routledge handbook of physical literacy.
Routledge, Abingdon, pp. 624-633.
ISBN 9781032703336
(Forthcoming)
Abstract
This concluding chapter presents a reflective conversation with Professor Margaret Whitehead, the originator of the concept of physical literacy, offering a personal and philosophical account of its evolution over more than four decades. Through a dialogue with Professor Liz Durden-Myers, Whitehead revisits the foundational motivations behind her work, her commitment to monism, embodiment, existential and phenomenological philosophy and outlines how these ideas shaped a concept that has since gained global recognition. The discussion explores the original intentions behind physical literacy, its philosophical underpinnings, and the challenges faced in promoting a whole-person approach in physical education. Whitehead reflects on both the integrity and misinterpretations of the concept as it has been taken up across different contexts and policy landscapes. She offers insight into ongoing tensions between philosophical depth and practical application, and emphasises the enduring importance of monism, clarity of language, and inclusive, lifelong engagement with movement. This chapter not only honours the intellectual legacy of Professor Whitehead but also serves as a call to researchers, educators, and policymakers to preserve the philosophical richness of physical literacy as they take it forward into new frontiers.
| Item Type: | Book Chapter or Section |
|---|---|
| Divisions: | School of Education |
| Related URLs: | |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Apr 2026 16:28 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Apr 2026 16:28 |
| URN: | https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17712 |
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