P. David Howe

P. David Howe is a Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Western University, Canada, holding the Dr. Frank J. Hayden Endowed Chair in Sport and Social Impact. His work bridges medical anthropology, disability studies, and sport sociology, emphasizing socio-cultural dimensions of physical activity and disability inclusion.

Education:

• PhD in Medical Anthropology (University College London)
• MA in Social Anthropology (University of Toronto)
• BSc in Anthropology (Trent University)

Research Interests: Professor Howe’s research focuses on disability sport cultures, ableism, medical discourse, and inclusive physical activity. He employs ethnographic methods to explore how marginalized populations engage with sport systems, advocating for equitable policies and celebrating bodily diversity. Key themes include Paralympic legacy, integration challenges, and the intersection of technology/medicine with sport participation.

Grants & Projects: Engaged in current research on disability sport management futures, policy impacts, and cross-cultural adaptations. His projects critically assess mainstreaming efforts in sports like cricket, while exploring post-pandemic sport accessibility and athlete empowerment strategies.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Health and Physical Cultures for Social Justice Education research group. Collaborates internationally on disability sport discourse and policy analysis.