April Henning

April Henning is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Sciences and Head of Research at the Management Department, Heriot-Watt University. She specializes in sociology with a focus on substance use in sport, anti-doping policy, and gender dynamics in sports contexts. Her research has influenced global sport policies, including work funded by WADA, World Athletics, and the Wellcome Trust. She holds a BA in Political Science from Indiana University and MA/PhD in Sociology from the City University of New York. Henning leads the International Network of Doping Researchers and serves as Associate Editor for Performance Enhancement and Health.

Her research interests include the digitalization of doping ecosystems, gendered experiences in fitness doping communities, and policy effectiveness. Notable work includes Doping: A Sporting History, awarded the 2021 Publishers Prize. She has contributed to over 50 publications, exploring topics like online IPED cultures, governance failures in anti-doping, and harm reduction strategies.

• Educations: BA Political Science (Indiana U), MA/PhD Sociology (CUNY)
• Grants: WADA, World Athletics, Wellcome Trust
• Labs/Teams: Director, International Network of Doping Researchers

Her media engagements address global doping scandals and policy implications. Current research emphasizes digital doping ecosystems and gendered risk assessments in fitness doping.