Michelle Helstein

Michelle Helstein is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Lethbridge, where she also serves as Provost & Vice President (Academic). She holds a B.A. and Ph.D. in Physical Education, focusing on critical analyses of sport, media, and gender.

• B.A. in Physical Education
• Ph.D. in Physical Education

Her research explores intersections of gender, sport, and cultural studies, emphasizing media constructions of athletes, poststructural feminist theory, and the politics of desire in advertising. Key themes include body representation, knowledge production, and colonial narratives in sports.

Helstein's publications span critical analyses of Nike advertising, concussion debates, and labor politics in professional sports. Her work highlights how media discourses shape athlete identities and perpetuate systemic inequalities.

She has received research funding from the University of Lethbridge Research Fund and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), including projects on active females and cultural studies of sport.