Connecting with LJMU Sports Science Researchers

There is an active research cluster at LJMU's Research Institute for Spot and Exercise Sciences (RISES), which are exploring related themes to my research.

For example, Thomas, LB works with Kolic, P, Morse, C and Hicks, K. Presentation of self, impression management and the period: A qualitative investigation of physically active women’s experiences in sport and exercise.

This study aimed to understand how women experience and perceive participation in sports and exercise throughout their menstrual cycle. Through five focus groups involving 25 active women, researchers explored their thoughts, feelings, and actions during different menstrual cycle phases. They used Goffman's ideas to understand how women present themselves and interact in sports settings. The study found that the menstrual period had the biggest impact on women's experiences in sports and exercise. It revealed strategies women use to manage appearance and concerns, and how they carefully manage impressions, especially when interacting with male coaches. The findings stress the need to openly discuss menstrual norms and expectations to better support women's participation in sports and exercise throughout their cycle.

Thomas Alan Buck's research explores discussion on how mental health issues are increasingly prevalent among elite athletes, which has prompted a surge in research in this area. While this research has broadened understanding of athlete mental health, there has been relatively little focus on the personal experiences of elite athletes themselves. The aim of the mentioned PhD study was to delve into the mental experiences of elite athletes, identify potential causes of mental health problems in high-level sports, develop effective treatment and referral methods, contribute to future research efforts, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in elite sports.

Additionally, Kristin L. McGinty-Minister is researching women’s experiences of sexism while working in sport from a social ecological perspective.

This abstract discusses the ongoing problem of sexism in sports and its negative effects on everyone involved. Despite its impact, there's been limited research on this issue, particularly on women's experiences. To better understand this, the researchers surveyed 105 women working in sports using a survey similar to the Everyday Sexism Survey. They then analyzed the responses to identify themes related to sexism across various levels: personal, interpersonal, organizational, and societal. The findings highlight the pervasive nature of sexism in sports and suggest that organizations and policymakers need to address social and personal changes to support women working in this field.

Recently a group of female researchers from RISES spoke on their experiences when it comes to tackling gender stereotypes in sport.

We’ve all heard them. Whether you’ve been told you “run like a girl” or you’re a woman being told (wrongly) that “you can't play football” – gender based typecasting seems to run deep in the world of sport, perhaps deeper than in any other sector. But are these well-worn gender labels finally becoming obsolete? 

Dr. Amy Whitehead, Reader in Sport Psychology and Coaching for LJMU, thinks so:

“I really do think that stereotypes like these are at last changing, and in my experience, they feel less evident. In terms of gender stereotypes and sport in general, women have always had ‘masculine’ tropes associated with them. The world of sport and exercise science has traditionally been a very male orientated environment, and when working in male dominated sports such as football and rugby, it may sometimes feel difficult for women to ‘fit in’. I do feel this is becoming less of an issue as time goes on though.”

Professor Zoe Knowles, who specialises in Engagement and Learning at the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, believes that the key to stamping out sexist undertones in the sporting industry once and for all, is to move past them altogether in wider society too...

“I feel like biases against women are very much linked to the wider stereotypes in sport, in science, and in society more generally. We have to tackle all of these head-on to impact on the sport and exercise science sector and vice versa. I also think there’s definitely a misconception that you have to be good at sport to succeed in this career too – and you don’t! What you do need is a commitment to understanding people, performance and science, which is what a lot of my job is about.”

In the summer semester, I am hoping to work more closely with Dr Amy Whitehead to inform future artworks, projects and my final exhibition.