Research
Centers and Institutes
HPER faculty and students conduct a wide range of research and other activities in the following centers and institutes:
Bradford Woods Outdoor Center
Bradford Woods Outdoor Center offers an array of experiential learning programs as well as rustic retreat and conference facilities.
Center for Minority Health
The center conducts research, outreach, programming, and training related to health disparities.
Center for Sexual Health Promotion
The Center for Sexual Health Promotion is a collaborative of sexual
health scholars from across the campuses of Indiana University and strategic
partner academic institutions around the globe who, in partnership with
practitioners from community-based health organizations, government and
industry, work toward advancing the field of sexual health through our research,
education and training initiatives.
Counsilman Center
Named after legendary swim coach and educator James E. "Doc" Counsilman,
the center honors his seminal work in developing the science of swimming.
The Counsilman Center seeks to establish fellowships for students who wish
to study the science of coaching; continue Doc's pursuit of coaching innovations
by exploring the use of new video and electronic technology to assess the
performance of competitive swimmers; serve as a resource for coaches, swimmers,
and scholars on the history of swimming, training techniques, and competition;
provide a source for independent perspectives on training techniques and
swimming-related equipment; and act as a testing facility for the physiologic,
psychological, and biomechanical status of athletes.
Eppley Institute for Parks and Lands
From its beginnings in 1946, the School of HPER has provided technical assistance in parks, recreation, and public lands throughout the nation and world creating a reputation for excellence. The Eppley Institute for Parks & Public Lands at Indiana University is the unique outreach division of the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies and is named after Garrett Eppley, who was the department chair for almost 20 years.
As an outreach arm of Indiana University, the Eppley Institute for Parks & Public Lands is currently working on research or technical assistance programs in cities in Alaska, Washington, D.C., Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, and for the National Park Service with total annual contracts exceeding $1.8 million. The institute's current staff represents more than 200 years of combined experience in the field. The institute’s efforts are driven by service to the profession, state, region, and nation in parks, recreation, and public lands. The Eppley Institute—through its mission to partner with recreation, park, and public land organizations to enhance access, choice, and quality of natural, cultural, and recreational experiences—has earned a reputation for providing outstanding, unbiased, and cost-effective assistance.
Indiana Prevention Resource Center
The Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University is a statewide clearinghouse for prevention technical assistance and information about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs for the state of Indiana. It is Indiana's officially designated RADAR Network (Regional Alcohol and Drug Awareness Resource Network) State Center.
Institute on Fundraising
The Institute on Fundraising, established in 2002, offers an undergraduate curriculum in fundraising that emphasizes interdisciplinary course work and a dedication to student progress and professional placement.
Leisure Research Institute
The LRI facilitates research and provides leadership in scholarly inquiry in the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies. This is accomplished through the systematic study of leisure and recreation-related phenomena by department faculty and students; dissemination of research-related publications prepared by faculty and students that serve the professional practice and theoretical development of the leisure, recreation, and tourism fields; organization and support of conferences, seminars, colloquia, and workshops for faculty and students; facilitation, through funding grants, research team formation, and research consultancy advisement, for both faculty and students; and leverage of partnerships within and outside the university that support research.
National Center on Accessibility
NCA is committed to the full participation in parks, recreation, and tourism by people with disabilities. Through education, technical assistance, and research solutions, the center provides comprehensive services resulting in the development of knowledge, awareness, skills, and ultimately action. We welcome your inquiries and feedback to insure that we continue to provide cutting-edge technical assistance, education, and research on accessibility issues to the parks, recreation, and tourism industries.
Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention
The major focus of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention (RCAP) is the promotion of HIV/STD prevention in rural America, with the goal of reducing HIV/STD incidence. The RCAP develops and evaluates educational materials and approaches, examines the behavioral and social barriers to HIV/STD prevention that can be applied to prevention programming, and provides prevention resources to professionals and the public.
Underwater Science
The Underwater Science Program promotes preservation of underwater resources through research, education, and interpretative programs. Underwater research requires a multidisciplinary approach, and the Underwater Science Program assembles the talents of research associates specializing in underwater archaeology, biology, geology, recreation and park administration, museum methods, public affairs, and instructional television.
Wynn F. Updyke Center for Physical Activity and Special Populations
The Updyke Center for Physical Activity provides products and services that help employers improve their employees' health by reducing health risks and medical care costs and improving employee health status.
