Our research

Safeguarding community sport

This research project explores how community sport organizations can create safer environments for athletes, coaches, and volunteers by strengthening safeguarding practices. Through interviews, case studies, and workshops, we are examining how clubs understand, implement, and sustain policies and practices that prevent harm and promote well-being. The project highlights both promising practices and areas where additional support is needed, offering practical guidance for organizations of all sizes. By sharing evidence-based recommendations, the project aims to build capacity for safeguarding ensuring that community sport remains a positive and supportive space for everyone.

Led by Dr. Katie Misener

National sport club survey

The National Sport Club Survey is a groundbreaking initiative designed to capture the perspectives of sport club leaders across the country and provide a longitudinal picture of community sport club capacity in Canada. This project will help the sport sector better understand the challenges, strengths, and opportunities facing community sport today. Findings will inform future programs, policies, and supports that strengthen the capacity of clubs and contribute to building healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable sport organizations nationwide ensuring that sport continues to thrive as a vital part of Canadian communities. 

Led by Dr. Katie Misener

Partners transforming curling

This multi-year, multi-partner initiative brings together stakeholders from across the curling community to create a more welcoming, supportive, and inclusive sport for all. The project includes several sub-studies, such as increasing participation among women and girls and improving accessibility within curling. SSHRC #890-2022-0050

Led by Dr. Heather Mair

Kitchener-Waterloo sport school 

This pilot project examines the demand for a dedicated sport school in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, assessing its potential to support student-athletes academically and athletically.

Led by Dr. Heather Mair

Enhancing diversity in Ontario lawn bowling 

This study investigates the barriers and opportunities for fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the sport of lawn bowling in Ontario. The findings will inform strategies to make the sport more inclusive and representative of the broader community.

Led by Dr. Heather Mair

Understanding sport viewership experiences: a neuroscience approach

This study uses social neuroscience methods to examine how brain activation predicts psychological engagement (flow) and involvement during sport viewership. Using fNIRS imaging, participants with high and low involvement levels watch a professional ice hockey game while prefrontal activity is recorded and related to self-reported engagement. Findings aim to provide novel insights into the neural correlates of sport consumer experiences beyond traditional self-report measures.

Led by Dr. Luke Potwarka

Black hair and belonging in sport and recreation

The purpose of this research is to explore the hairstories of Black girls in Canada and their experiences with belonging, access and well-being in sport and recreation. This work situates Black hair as a site for inclusion and exclusion, belonging and identity, and explores areas of tension and opportunity for Black girls to engage fully in a variety of sport and recreation experiences.

Led by Dr. Kaleigh Pennock

Concussion reporting in youth girls’ sport

This project aims to address one of the most pressing safety issues in youth girls’ community sport– concussion under-reporting–by inviting youth girls and other community sport stakeholders to contribute to a shared understanding of risk culture concerning injury and reporting. This project seeks to generate new knowledge regarding concussion education and will enhance our understanding of how youth girls, coaches, parents, and sport leaders can help shift the landscape towards a safer concussion reporting culture. 

Led by Dr. Kaleigh Pennock