Exploring and understanding inclusivity of LGBTQIA+ recreational athletes in the UK

Researchers, practitioners, and policy makers have shown that physical, mental, and social health research disparities exist between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) populations and others. Such exclusion from the research process has contributed to a health knowledge deficit for LGBTQIA+ populations and resulted in limited evidence-based interventions that address the many health inequalities that disproportionately affect these populations across the lifespan. When compared to other populations, research evidence shows that LGBTQIA+ populations experience higher rates of chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, coronary heart disease, and certain forms of cancer), mental health symptoms and disorders (e.g., major depressive disorder, anxiety, substance use, and suicide), and social health inequalities (e.g., violence, harassment, discrimination, and exclusion). Although several calls-to-action have been written to ensure that LGBTQIA+ people are included in physical, mental, and social health research and consulted with in the creation of LGBTQIA+ focused health interventions, such calls have not been fully addressed.

LGBTQIA+ individuals who wish to participate in sport face many challenges. Sport refers to all forms of physical activity, regardless of whether participation is understood to be casual or organized. Sport also has the aim of improving physical, mental, and social health. Research shows that 82% of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Europe have witnessed or experienced homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic language in a sporting context. Additionally, 36% of LGBTQIA+ individuals have experienced some form of physical intimidation or violence in recreational or professional sport. To further complicate matters, a total of 75% of LGBTQIA+ individuals have said they faced some form of systematic and structural discrimination within their sport because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. As a result of such discrimination, a third of LGBTQIA+ people remain completely closeted in their sporting context and do not disclose their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Sport England has identified that such actions have led many LGBTQIA+ individuals to feel excluded from sport, unwilling to participate in sport in the future, unable to connect meaningfully with other individuals, and profound loneliness. A strategy for recreational sport is needed to better understand: 1) the social health needs of LGBTQIA+ people, 2) what steps can be taken to foster inclusivity of LGBTQIA+ individuals, and 3) how loneliness amongst LGBTQIA+ people can be addressed. Given limited inclusion of LGBQIA+ individuals in physical activity, exercise, and sport research thus far, it would be very challenging to construct, let alone enact, such an inclusivity strategy. 

The aim of this mixed-methods research programme is to examine and understand the social health needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the UK who are engaged in recreational sport.

We encourage you to discuss this opportunity and the PhD project before applying. Please contact Dr Paul Gorczynski (he/him) at paul.gorczynski@gre.ac.uk to arrange a discussion. Further information about the project is available here: https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/research-studentships-and-scholarships

Duration: 3 years Full-Time Study or 6 years Part-Time Study.

Type: Self-funded

How to Apply:

Please read this information before making an application. Information on the application process is available at: https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/apply/application-process

Applications need to be made online via this link. No other form of application will be considered. Please submit your application under the PhD Human Sciences programme. All applications must include the following information. Applications not containing these documents will not be considered:

•       Reference Number (SFS-FEHHS-01-23)– included in the personal statement section.

•       Personal Statement* - outlining your motivation for applying for this PhD, and your previous research experience (e.g., as a research assistant or completing a dissertation).

•       Academic qualification certificates/transcripts of all degrees*

•       IELTS/English Language certificate - if you are an international applicant or if English is not your first language or you are from a country where English is not the majority spoken language as defined by the UK Border Agency *

•       Your complete tabular CV*

•       Two reference letters (one ideally from a dissertation supervisor)* (note these need to be the letters itself, not only the contact details of the referees)

•       Research Proposal*  Please provide a short (1000 word max not including references) research proposal outlining an initial experiment that you would want to run. You should aim to highlight how this research fits a gap in the existing literature, the design, measures and procedure of the experiment and the key hypotheses the experiment will test.

*upload to the qualification section of the application form. Attachments must be a PDF format.

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