Tom Webb

Dr. Tom Webb is an Associate Professor at Coventry University’s Research Centre for Business in Society, leading the Referee and Sports Official Research Network. His work focuses on global management of sport officials, abuse prevention, mental health, and career development. He has secured £1.7m+ in funding from UEFA, EU, and national sporting bodies. Recent projects include the REFS initiative to inspire future officials. Webb advises PhD students on topics like official abuse and governance. His media contributions span BBC, ESPN, and international outlets.

Research interests include sport officials’ operational environments, policy impacts, and cross-sport analysis (football, rugby, cricket). Key outputs include books on refereeing challenges and abuse, with over 50 peer-reviewed articles. Current projects address recruitment/retention barriers and female officiating diversity.

Advising and grants: Supervises PhD projects on abuse dynamics and governance. External roles include examiner at Leeds Beckett and Southampton Solent Universities. Media engagements highlight VAR controversies and official safety.