Brunel Centre for Sport, Health and Wellbeing

Our work is arranged under four research themes and spans a wide remit, from analysis of healthy lifestyles and recreational sport participation, to research into elite sport systems and performers.

Our focus topics show how we use our research to promote knowledge transfer to diverse audiences, through academic networks, expert forums, practice partnerships and the media.

We are internationally oriented, collaborating with academic colleagues in several other countries, and hosting a vibrant community of visiting scholars and resident postgraduate researchers from diverse regions of the globe. As part of our international partnerships we also host BIRNAW, the Brunel International Research Network for Athlete Welfare.

Young people, sport and physical education

Our research into young people, sport and physical education acknowledges that sport can have negative as well as positive outcomes and focuses on ensuring that experiences of sport and physical education are safe and enjoyable and maximise psychological, social and physical benefits (Amanda Croston, Professor Capel, Dr. Misia Gervis, Dr. Daniel Rhind and Professor Ian Rivers). Our well-known work on promoting the welfare and wellbeing of elite child athletes is one of the Centre’s focus topics and includes Dr. Rhind’s leadership of the Brunel International Research Network for Athlete Welfare (BIRNAW).

Health, wellbeing and performance

This theme involves multidisciplinary research across the spectrum from general population health to elite sport. It addresses three main foci: the promotion of physical activity; the development of wellbeing in and through sport and PE; and psychological issues relating to elite-level performance in the realm of sport (Dr. Gervis). We are internationally recognised for our work on two focus topics - homophobic bullying in physical education (Professor Rivers), and the relationship between music and physical activity (Dr. Costas Karageorghis).

Sports development, management and policy

This research investigates sport and the development of individuals, communities and organisations from local to international level. This is important because in societies marked with stark inequalities it is critical to know what is being done in the name of sports development, by whom and to what effect. Our substantial focus topics in this area include sport management (Dr. Vassil Girginov); the Olympics (Dr. Gary Armstrong and Dr. Girginov); community sport development (Dr. Hills), sport policy/socio-legal issues in sport (Dr. Alberto Testa) and sport in international development (Professor Kay).

Socio-cultural studies of sport

Our socio-cultural research focuses on understanding the relationship between sport, health and wellbeing in individual and social life. Our academic and policy-related research informs strategies for diverse populations to have access and opportunity to experience sport and physical activity. Key research themes within the socio-cultural research group include sport and gender (Dr. Hills, Amanda Croston, Dr. Gervis and Prof. Kay); sport, social welfare and inclusion (Dr. Testa, Dr. Hills and Professor Kay); cross-cultural analysis of sport (Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Testa); and media and representation (Dr. Hills).

BC•SHaW researchers communicate our research to the widest possible audiences through diverse publications, presentations and media items for academic, policy, practice and popular audiences. This page highlights examples of recent books, position statements and policy contributions; detail on academic journal articles can be found in individual research profiles, accessed from the Researchers page.

BOOKS

C. Brackenridge and D. Rhind (2011) “Elite Child Athlete Welfare: International perspectives” London: Brunel University

Susan Capel, Leask, M. and Turner, T. (Eds.) (2009) Readings for Learning to Teach in the Secondary School: A Companion to M Level Study. London: Routledge.

Vassil Girginov (2010). (Ed.). The Olympics: A Critical Reader. Routledge: London.

Eileen Kennedy and Laura Hills (2009) Sport, Media and Society. Berg.

Costas Karageorghis and Peter Terry (2011) Inside Sport Psychology Human Kinetics.

Tess Kay (ed.) (2009) Fathering through sport and leisure. London: Routledge

Ian Rivers (2011) Homophobic Bullying: Research and Theoretical Perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press.

A. Testa and G. Armstrong (2010) Football, Fascism and Fandom: The UltraS of Italian Football. A&C Black Bloomsbury.

RECENT POSITION STATEMENTS AND POLICY COMMUNICATIONS

Brunel response to the national health consultation (BC•SHaW and CSMHP) (Kay and Gonzalez-Alonso, April 2011)

BASES Expert statement on music and physical activity (Karageorghis et al., May 2011)

News and Events

7 March 2012, 1-2 pm HW273 - iFeel Better: The Influence of Music on Feelings During Exercise Seminar - Dr Jasmin Hutchinson (Assistant Professor of Exercise Science and Sport Studies, Springfield College, USA) All School Staff and Research Students welcome

19-24 July 2012 - ICSEMIS 2012: the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport

(SECC, Glasgow: convenor Prof. Celia Brackenridge, Brunel University): Contact celia.brackenridge@brunel.ac.uk

Incorporating BIRNAW symposium “Identifying the additional vulnerability of elite child athletes”, supported by the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit and UNICEF contact daniel.rhind@brunel.ac.uk

Recent one day conference

In November BC.SHaW welcomed 100 delegates from research, policy and practice in youth sport to a vibrant one-day conference entitled Researching Youth Sport, Health and Wellbeing.

The conference attracted a number of eminent speakers from all over the UK and beyond, with highlights including opening keynotes from Professor Joan Duda of the University of Birmingham and Professor Tim Crabbe of Substance, and an informative panel session featuring four of the national sport agencies.