Kathy Babiak

Dr. Kathy Babiak is a Professor of Sport Management and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs at the University of Michigan's School of Kinesiology. She serves as Director of the Michigan Center for Sport & Social Responsibility and co-founded the Sport, Health and Activity Research and Policy (SHARP) Center for Women and Girls. Her PhD in Leisure and Sport Management was completed at the University of British Columbia, establishing her academic foundation in sport management and organizational theory.

Dr. Babiak's research explores sport and social impact through multiple lenses, with core interests in:

• Corporate social responsibility in professional sports organizations
• Interorganizational relationships and strategic alliances
• Philanthropy and community engagement models
• Organizational theory applied to sport contexts
• Social impact measurement and sustainability

Her work examines how leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB develop social responsibility strategies to create mutual organizational and societal value.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on sport philanthropy, corporate responsibility frameworks, and community impact across professional and amateur sports. Her research increasingly examines digital transformation in sport, crisis communication during COVID-19, and media representations of athlete activism. Methodologically, she employs institutional theory, field embeddedness perspectives, and multi-level analysis to understand sport organizations' social strategies.

Her scientific recognitions include:

• NASSM Research Fellowship
• Kinesiology Student's Choice Award for Teaching Excellence (2017-18)
• Top 20 Articles in 20 Years honor from Sport Marketing Quarterly

Dr. Babiak has secured over $1 million in grants from organizations including the Women's Sport Foundation and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She directs the Michigan Center for Sport & Social Responsibility, where she oversees research on sport's societal impact. As faculty affiliate for U-M's Center for Entrepreneurship and Center for Social Impact, she collaborates on interdisciplinary initiatives. Her student advising focuses on sport management, social responsibility, and organizational strategy.