Dr Laura Hills
Head of Department / Reader in SHES

Research area(s)

• Sport and social change
• Sporting inequalities - especially gender
• Mediated sport
• Engaging young people from diverse backgrounds in sport
• Qualitative research
• Sociology of sport
• Safeguarding in sport

Research Interests

My research focuses on sporting inequalities with particular attention to gender and social disadvantage. I have conducted a number of evaluations with charities exploring how to engage girls and women in sport and understanding how sporting opportunities can best lead to positive outcomes for young people. I have an ongoing project with the Football Association exploring mixed gender football policy. Ii am currently working with the English Football Association on their gender inclusive sport policy.

Project details

• 2025-26 Injury Risk in Mixed Adult Football (PI) with Sara Horne, Carla Harkness-Armstrong and Bill Baltzopoulos
• 2017 MAS What Works, DOSH, A2Dominion, Money Advice Service  E. Wainwright (PI) with K. Gilhooley.
• 2012-2018 Injury Risk Assessment in Mixed Gender Football (6 projects). Football Association. L. Hills (PI) with S. Horne, and B. Baltzopoulos  
•  2016 Made Outside the Classroom. Street League.L. Hills (PI) with Emma Wainwright.
•  2015: A qualitative evaluation of Street League and Street Step. L.Hills (PI) with Emma Wainwright.
•  2013 – 2016 Safeguarding Children in Sport. UNICEF/UKSport.  With C. Brackenridge (PI), D. Rhind, Tess Kay
•  2013 Child Protection and the FIFA World Cup. Oak Foundation with C. Brackenridge (PI), D. Rhind, T. Kay
•  2011-2013 StreetGames Building a Participation Legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games for disadvantaged young people.  L. Hills (PI) with S. Bradford and C. Johnston
•  2011-2013 Usgirls/Active Women Consortium. L. Hills (PI)with A. Maitland
•   2007-2009 Football Association. Investigation of Mixed Gender Football Trials (U12-U14). L. Hills (PI) with A. Croston and A. Maitland