About
Leisha Strachan is a Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. She holds a PhD in Sport Psychology from Queen’s University, alongside a Master of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor and undergraduate degrees in Physical Education and Education from the University of Manitoba.
Her research focuses on promoting positive youth development in sport through initiatives like Project SCORE, which emphasizes the "4 Cs" (competence, confidence, connection, character) for coaches and parents. She leads a SSHRC/Sport Canada-funded evaluation of this project with collaborators Dr. Dany MacDonald and Dr. Jean Côté.
Beyond academia, Strachan has coached baton twirling for over 30 years and directs ANANSI School for the Performing Arts, integrating African and Caribbean cultural education through the arts. She is a first-generation Black Canadian scholar committed to equity and community legacy.
