Partners Transforming Curling: Recent work in the news | Recreation and Leisure Studies

Explore recent media coverage featuring Partners transforming curling.

Wide view of a packed arena during a curling competition, showing multiple sheets of ice in use with athletes, officials, and spectators filling the stands, and a large scoreboard hanging above the ice.

Curling teams compete on the ice inside a sold-out arena, with players delivering stones while teammates sweep and a large overhead scoreboard above the sheets.

Dr. Simon Barrick and Dr. Kristi Allain wearing event credentials stand in front of a packed arena with multiple curling sheets visible behind them.

Outdoor entrance to the Festival of Rings event in Halifax, with white fencing, event signage, and banners reading the trials are here inside a covered walkway as staff set up the venue.

Beyond the house: Evaluating inclusivity at the Canadian curling trials

Cape Breton University, December 2025

During the 2025 Canadian Curling Trials in Halifax, our research team from Cape Breton University, in collaboration with partners at the University of Waterloo, conducted on-site research to evaluate how major curling events foster inclusion and community connection. While the Trials showcased elite competition, our focus extended beyond the ice to understand how initiatives like the Festival of Rings influenced people’s sense of belonging, accessibility, and welcome within the sport. This work contributes to evidence-informed approaches for designing more inclusive sport experiences. Read more: Evaluating inclusivity at the Canadian curling trials.

World curling commission appoints Dr. Heather Mair and Dr. Simon Barrick

World Curling, December 2025

In December 2025, Simon Barrick and Heather Mair were appointed to international leadership roles within World Curling’s commissions, recognizing their research and applied contributions to equity, inclusion, and sustainability in sport. Simon was appointed to the newly established Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Commission, while Heather was appointed to both the DEI Commission and the Sustainability Commission. These appointments embed their research expertise directly into global sport governance and policy development. Read more: World Curling appointments.

How ethnography highlighted the value of curling for communities

Futurum Careers, December 2025

This Futurum Careers pg. 35 feature highlights Heather Mair’s ethnographic research on curling clubs in rural Canada, demonstrating how curling functions as a vital community space that supports social connection, belonging, and well-being. Drawing on long-term fieldwork and photovoice methods, the article shows how curling clubs act as “third places” and discusses ongoing efforts to make the sport more accessible and inclusive for diverse participants. Read more: How ethnography highlighted the value of curling for communities.

Festival of Rings: Community-engaged research at the Canadian curling trials

At the Festival of Rings during the 2025 Canadian Curling Trials, Dr. Simon Barrick was involved in community-engaged research and inclusion work. Dr. Barrick led a research group on site to explore how large-scale sport events can make curling feel more welcoming and inclusive, particularly for people who have not traditionally been part of the sport. His team observed festival activities and gathered data to examine how intentional outreach and inclusive programming can foster greater access, a sense of belonging, and broader participation in curling across diverse communities.