Rylee Dionigi

Professor Rylee Dionigi is affiliated with Charles Sturt University as a faculty member in the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, specifically within the Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences department. She is internationally recognized for her research on the socio-cultural and socio-psychological dimensions of ageing, sport, and physical activity in Western societies.

• Education: PhD (University of Newcastle, 2004), Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) (Charles Sturt University, 1998)

Research Focus: Her work critiques assumptions that everyone should remain physically active across the lifespan, emphasizing how older adults' experiences reflect empowerment, resistance, and conformity to societal discourses. She examines intersections of sport, health, policy, and identity, particularly in rural contexts.

Recent Research Trends: Her 2024 articles highlight exclusion and belonging in rural physical activity, LGBTQ+ inclusivity in sport, and weight-related stigma, reflecting her commitment to critical health promotion and diversity in ageing practices.

Scientific Awards:

• ACE World Teachers Day Award - Course (2017)
• ACE World Teachers' Day Award - Individual (2017)
• International Award for Excellence in Sport and Society (2011)
• Recognising Excellence Daily (RED) Award (2018)
• Sociology of Sport Journal Honorable Mention (2007)

Teaching and Leadership: She teaches Introduction to Sport and Exercise Behaviour and Applied Psychology for Sport and Exercise. She serves on the editorial boards of Annals of Leisure Research, Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, and Leisure/Loisir, and collaborates with institutions like York University (Canada) and the University of Newcastle.