The Future of Performance Science

Performance Science is an integrative field focused on advancing our understanding and enhancement of human performance across domains such as the performing arts, sports, education, and the workplace. Recent years have seen a shift from narrowly defined disciplinary achievements to broader considerations of how performance is shaped by, and in turn shapes, society. This includes the evolving relationship between performance and societal values, the diversification and sustainability of performance careers, the transformation of education and training systems, and the centrality of health, wellbeing, and psychological resilience. Despite substantial progress, there remain important gaps in connecting fundamental skills with real-world outcomes and navigating the interdisciplinary challenges that define the future of the field. Ongoing debates highlight the need to integrate insights from performance psychology, education, and health—while responding to rapid technological, cultural, and societal changes.

This Research Topic aims to drive forward-thinking discussions and evidence-based advancements that shape the future of performance science. It seeks to answer key questions such as: How will shifts in society influence the trajectory, accessibility, and impact of performance across disciplines? What innovations are needed to support meaningful, sustainable career pathways for performers? In what ways can we redesign performance education and training to foster adaptability and lifelong development? How do psychological and health-related factors underpin optimal and sustained performance? By bringing together scholars and practitioners from a range of specialisms, we hope to catalyze novel collaborations and propose actionable solutions that advance both research and practice.

To gather further insights within the expansive boundaries of performance science, submissions should focus on but are not limited to: original analyses, in-depth reviews, conceptual perspectives, empirical studies, and applied case reports relating to the following themes:

• The role of performance within and across societies, including changing cultural contexts and values
• The evolution and sustainability of performance careers in diverse settings
• Innovations and best practices in performance education and training
• Health, wellbeing, and resilience as foundations for lifelong performance
• Advances in performance psychology, including motivation, learning, and mental health
• Interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, and technological influences shaping performance practices and outcomes

We welcome contributions that provide detailed knowledge on the fundamental skills, mechanisms, and outcomes of performance activities, connect discipline-specific expertise with multidisciplinary thinking, and help define the future directions of performance science.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: performance science, careers, education, wellbeing, psychology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.