Robyn Smith

Dr. Robyn Smith is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Loughborough University's School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, funded by the ESRC. Her research focuses on youth sport for development, participatory methodologies, forced migration, wellbeing, and social action. Prior to her current role, she was a Lecturer at Brunel University and earned her PhD from there in 2023. She holds a BA in Kinesiology from Western University and an MSc from the University of Toronto.

Education:

• BA(Hons) in Kinesiology and Sport Management, Western University
• MSc in Physical Cultural Studies and Ethnic and Immigration Studies, University of Toronto
• PhD in Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Brunel University London

Research Interests: Robyn’s work centers on participatory approaches, particularly with marginalized groups such as refugee youth, exploring how community sport and leisure programs enhance wellbeing and social inclusion. She also investigates ethical challenges in participatory research and the role of digital tools like podcasting in knowledge translation.

Publications Trends: Her articles emphasize participatory methodologies in sport and migration contexts, highlighting issues of social justice and wellbeing. Recent work explores secondary traumatic stress in researchers, creativity’s role in wellbeing, and systematic reviews on arts interventions for at-risk youth.

Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Grants & Mentorship: Supported by ESRC funding, her work often involves collaborative projects with community organizations. While no formal students are listed, her research frequently engages youth as co-creators.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine and the Centre for Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifecourse at Brunel University.