Sam West

Sam West is a Research Assistant in Digital Storytelling at Loughborough University's School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, focusing on the Sport, Business and Society research theme. He collaborates with Dr Verity Postlethwaite on a Spirit of 2012-funded project developing early years education resources through digital storytelling.

Education: BFA Fine Art (Bath Spa University), MA Museum Studies (University of Leicester), PhD Drama (Loughborough University). His doctoral research examined storytelling in British independent professional wrestling. Previously, he worked as a Research Fellow at Roehampton University on the AHRC-funded 'Box Office Bears' project exploring early modern animal baiting, collaborating with institutions like the Museum of London Archaeology.

Research interests span cultural performance practices, historical entertainment forms, and the intersection of sports with societal narratives. Recent work analyzes risk performance in wrestling and micro-celebrity dynamics in niche cultural spaces.

Advising/Grants: Involved in multiple cross-institutional projects including AHRC-funded historical research and early education initiatives. Currently contributes to the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine's interdisciplinary work.