News

Dr. Pennock will be featured on a panel on safe, inclusive, and holistic sport at the Ontario Sport Community Summit on November 19^th. Hosted by partners from MLSE LaunchPad, the Ontario Sport Network and Brock University, the panel will discuss the importance of fostering, safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces across all levels of sport participation.

Dr. Pennock delivered a talk for Parks and Recreation Ontario entitled ‘From Participants to Partners:

Transforming Youth Engagement, Access, and Inclusion in Recreation’. Drawing from her research in risk, responsibility, and harm in youth sport, Dr. Pennock discussed why rethinking the way we engage with today's youth is essential for increasing youth engagement, improving mental health outcomes, and uplifting future recreation and sport leaders.

Laura Leitch, a key member of our research group, is helping lead the growth of accessible curling at the Ilderton Curling Club. This episode of Community Curling highlights the club’s thriving wheelchair curling program, shaped by Laura’s commitment to inclusion and athlete support. Featuring insights from curlers and Paralympian Mark Ideson, the story showcases a community where athletes of all abilities can thrive.

Two members of our research group, Laura Leitch PhD student and Dr. Heather Mair, have created a short, evidence-informed video designed to help curling clubs attract and retain more young participants.

To learn more about their research and ongoing projects, visit the Partners transforming curling website.

Dr. Katie Misener presented findings from a multi-country collaboration at the first International Congress on Safe Sport Research. The team examined safeguarding in youth and community sport, highlighting challenges related to limited resources, unclear volunteer roles, and inconsistent engagement with Safe Sport policies. The research emphasizes the need for stronger, more sustainable safeguarding practices across community sport organizations.

Dr.Luke Potwarka joined CBC’s The Morning Edition to discuss his latest study exploring sport viewership through a neuroscience approach. The interview offered insight into how fans experience live sporting events on a cognitive level.

Dr. Luke Potwarka spoke with Kevin Nielsen of Global News about his ongoing study, Understanding Sport Viewership Experiences: A Neuroscience Approach. The feature explores how neuroscience tools are being used to better understand fan engagement and emotional responses during live sporting events.

MA candidate Sarah Dunbar received a SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship to support her thesis examining how community sport organizations prevent and address maltreatment in sport. Her research identifies effective safeguarding practices and explores areas where clubs can strengthen their efforts to ensure athlete safety and well-being

Dr. Katie Misener and Sarah Dunbar are serving on the steering committee for the upcoming U SPORTS Women’s Hockey National Championship. In an interview with Imprint, Sarah shared insights into the behind-the-scenes work involved in organizing a national event and fostering a memorable experience for athletes and fans.