The critical issue of gender and sport in a changing world: assessing attitudes and beliefs towards non-sex-segregated sports participation in schools and at grassroots recreational level

Application details
Reference number: CDT/SSEHS/JC
Start date of studentship: 1st October 2018
Closing date for applications: 15th June
Interview date: 25th June – 6th July

Project Description
This project will undertake an assessment of attitudes and beliefs towards non-sex-segregated sports participation in schools and at grassroots recreational level. It will examine, via semi-structured interviews with children, parents, and those who deliver sports, the beliefs, barriers, and facilitators to non-sex-segregated participation. Importantly, it will document how challenges to these have been reconciled, identifying good practice, and suggesting ways that educational institutions can help to break down the gender-based myths that influence desire, motivation, ability, and rights to participate

Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). The newly formed Gender and Sport Centre for Doctoral Training, led by Dr Gemma Witcomb, is recruiting 5 highly motivated PhD students to explore the current and changing landscape of sports participation for transgender adults and children and recommend changes to promote inclusive participation.

One of the most influential, powerful and visible institutions upholding the gender binary is sport – where participation is predominantly segregated by biological sex, rooted in the widely-held beliefs about fairness and the biological advantages associated with being male. Such beliefs are over-simplistic, legitimise discrimination, and hinder the sports participation of transgender (intersex, trans, non-binary) individuals. With the rapidly growing societal visibility of transgender people, there is an unprecedented need to address areas where discrimination may arise.

The Gender and Sport CDT is part of Loughborough’s Adventure Research Programme, and part of CALIBRE research framework and the Sport and Exercise Beacon. It is a Loughborough Doctoral College initiative. All students receive a structured programme of support and guidance.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ssehs/research/

Entry requirements
Applicants should have (or be near completion of) a Master’s degree and have a First or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (Psychology, Social Psychology, Sport and Exercise Science or other related disciplines). In addition, applicants should have excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as confidence in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Applicants may be working with transgender individuals and need to be aware of the difficulties faced by this population and be respectful whilst demonstrating sensitivity at all times. As this is a competitive position, applicants will be asked to write an essay on their understanding of the studentship for which they are applying.

Contact details
Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Janine Coates ([Email Address Removed]) or Dr David Howe ([Email Address Removed]).
For general enquiries, please contact Joanne Bebb. Postgraduate Research Administrator.
Email address: [Email Address Removed] Telephone number: 01509 226323.

How to apply
Apply online at www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research. Under programme name, select School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. Please clearly mark your application with the reference number CDT/SSEHS/JC.