Dean Kriellaars is a neuroscientist and internationally recognised expert in physical literacy, widely regarded as one of the founding contributors to the field.
He is a faculty member in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Manitoba, Canada, and a scientist at the Children’s Health Research Institute. He also leads the Human Performance Laboratory, supporting students and researchers in advancing work related to physical literacy and human movement.
His research focuses on motor skill development, gender bias in physical activity, risky play, resilience, and performance enhancement, with a strong emphasis on translating research into practice. He is the designer of the PLAY tools for physical literacy assessment and an original contributor to the Passport for Life framework developed by PHE Canada.
In addition to his academic work, Dr Kriellaars has extensive experience in applied and high-performance contexts, including research in performance enhancement and injury prevention in collaboration with the National Circus School and Cirque du Soleil. A committed community leader, he has served as co-chair of the Premier’s Council on Healthy Living in Manitoba and has received numerous national and international awards for his contributions to research, innovation, and community service.
