Lara Lesch

Lara Lesch is an academic researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Psychology and Sport Science at Bielefeld University. She serves as an Academic Councillor since March 2025, following a postdoctoral role and research assistantship in the same department from June 2024 to February 2025 and January 2021 to May 2024 respectively. Her academic background includes a Doctorate in Sport Science (Dr. phil.) completed in March 2021, a Master’s degree in Sport Management from Tübingen University (2017-2020), and a Bachelor’s degree in Sport and Sport Science from Mainz University (2013-2017).

• Academic Councillor, Department of Sport Science, Bielefeld University (2025–present)
• Post-Doc, Department of Sport Science, Bielefeld University (2024–2025)
• Research Assistant and Doctoral Student, Department of Sport Science, Bielefeld University (2021–2024)

Lesch’s research focuses on gender dynamics in sports leadership, organizational change in sports institutions, and inclusion in both non-profit and commercial sports organizations. Her recent publications emphasize the structural and societal barriers to women’s representation in sports governance, organizational responses to inclusion and diversity mandates, and the evolving competencies required in elite sports coaching.

Her work appears in journals such as the European Journal for Sport and Society, where she has contributed empirical analyses on gender diversity and organizational performance. Lesch also investigates the impact of global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on corporate social responsibility practices within sports entities. Her methodological approach includes both quantitative citation analyses and qualitative assessments of stakeholder experiences in unique settings like prison sports programs.

Lesch is actively involved in student academic advising for programs including the 1-Subject Profile "Economy and Society" and the MA program in Organizational Development & Management. She is responsible for the module 61-PW-WAM Scientific Work and Methods, indicating her commitment to academic training and research methodology in sports science education.