James Mason

James Mason is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Development at the University of Northampton, affiliated with the Science Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences. He specializes in teaching Sport Sociology and Sports Development within the BA Physical Education and Sport (Hons) program. His academic background includes an undergraduate degree in Sport Studies and Business (2012) and a Master's in Sports Development (2014) from Solent University.

Research interests focus on interdisciplinary approaches to sport studies:

• Sport and social entrepreneurship frameworks
• Critical sociology of sport applications
• Realist evaluation methodologies for social programs
• Physical activity system analysis
• Sport pedagogy in higher education

Publication analysis reveals concentrated research in public health program evaluation (2025), sport sociology in education (2024), and community sport enterprise methodologies (2021-2022). Recent works emphasize mixed-methods approaches combining stakeholder interviews, system surveys, and realist evaluation frameworks.

Active research projects include:

• Evaluation of Move Northamptonshire (2024-2029): Co-investigator examining physical activity frameworks and administrative structures
• Understanding sociology's value in sport education: Principal investigator studying engagement/retention strategies for sport students

Additional professional activities include consultancy work for industry evaluation reports (2017-2018).