João Mota is an Assistant Professor at the University of Limerick, working in the areas of Physical Education, Sport Pedagogy, and Physical Literacy. He previously held teaching and coordination roles at University College Cork within the Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts programme, and taught for five years at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, his alma mater. He holds a degree in Sport Sciences, a master’s in Physical Education Teaching, and a PhD in Education.

His research interests focus on Physical Literacy, Pedagogy/Didactics of Physical Activities, Educational Assessment, and Psychometrics. During his doctoral studies, he led the initial development and validation of the Portuguese Physical Literacy Assessment (PPLA). He has published in international peer-reviewed journals and regularly contributes as a reviewer.

He is also developing work at the intersection of pedagogy and generative artificial intelligence in higher education, leading and contributing to funded projects in teacher education, pedagogical models, and physical literacy, including initiatives supported by Erasmus+, ScoTENS, and SATLE. He has a sports background in Dance, Swimming and Team Handball.

When he is not working, he enjoys wandering into the great, big Outdoors and partaking in activities like Mountaineering, Hiking and Trail Running. He has a strong passion for non-formal education, particularly Scouting—where he actively collaborates as a curriculum developer and adult trainer.