NIE organized the 18th Australasian Skill Acquisition Conference in Singapore

The Australasian Skill Acquisition Network (ASAN) annual Conference, held from 26–28 November, brought together researchers, practitioners, and coaches from around the world to explore the latest developments in motor learning and skill acquisition. For this edition, more than 110 participants from across ASEAN, England, Australia, France, New Zealand, Taiwan, Japan and Brazil came together with a shared commitment to advancing our understanding of how people learn, adapt, and perform. Two keynote speakers set the direction of the conference, including Prof. Rob Gray from Arizona State University, famous for his renowned “perception-action” podcast, accompanied by Assist. Professor Alicia Goodwill from NIE-NTU who presented a talk on the neuroscientific investigation of skill acquisition which foster the discussion for the whole conference. For the first time, a round table was organized with academics to discuss how skill acquisition content is taught to future teachers and coaches from different countries, sharing ideas about how to maximize impact for practitioners. Another round table gathered multiple Singapore high performance coaches form multiple disciplines, sharing about how they use scientific knowledge in their daily job.

 

Delegates shared their innovative work spanning technology-enhanced training, coaching and teaching perspectives, as well as contemporary pedagogical approaches. Across the three days, we heard a variety of exciting presentations that highlighted emerging applications of virtual reality and artificial intelligence alongside innovative interventions to enhance athlete training and skill development. Equally compelling were sessions that examined the real-world experiences of coaches implementing non-linear pedagogy, constraints-led approaches, and representative learning design in training environments. These practitioner insights provided valuable reflections on embracing complexity, adapting session design, and supporting athlete autonomy.

 

Beyond the formal program, the conference offered a vibrant opportunity for colleagues to reconnect, exchange ideas, and form exciting new collaborations. Overall, the 2025 ASAN Conference was a highly enriching event that reinforced both the science and the community at the heart of skill acquisition.