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Andrea Ettekal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University, within the College of Education and Human Development. Her work focuses on youth development, particularly through organized activities, sports, and educational programs. She investigates how extracurricular participation influences social-emotional learning, physical activity, and character development in adolescents, with a specific interest in marginalized populations like Latino youth and adolescent girls. Dr. Ettekal’s research emphasizes culturally responsive programming and the relational dynamics within youth activities. She explores topics such as the impact of peer environments in sports, the role of organized activities in mitigating obesity-related social marginalization, and the theoretical frameworks guiding positive youth development. Her recent work includes designing interventions like the EmpowerHER program for adolescent girls and analyzing global food systems through youth digital livestock curricula. Her articles highlight trends in leveraging organized activities to address systemic challenges, such as promoting equity in sports participation and fostering resilience during crises like the pandemic. While no academic awards are listed, her contributions bridge developmental science with practical youth program design. Dr. Ettekal collaborates extensively with practitioners to translate research into actionable strategies for educators and community organizations.

• Youth Development
• Educational Psychology
• Sports and Physical Activity
• +3 more

Verena Lenneis is an Associate Professor at the Department of Health Science and Technology, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and the Active Health Institute for Advanced Study in PBL at Aalborg University. Her research focuses on health disparities, ethnic minorities’ participation in sport and physical activity, and participatory research methods such as Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and co-creation. She leads the Nordic project 'Healthy communities in ageing societies' funded by NordForsk, exploring participatory research with elderly immigrants and refugees. Additionally, she investigates digital technologies in sports and lifestyle sports. Educations: PhD in Sport Sociology (University of Copenhagen, 2013–2016) MA in Human and Social Sport Sciences (University of Copenhagen, 2011–2013) MA in Law (University of Vienna, 2004–2008) Bachelor in Sport Sciences (University of Vienna, 2008–2011) Research Interests: Lenneis explores how marginalized groups engage with physical activity and sport, emphasizing participatory approaches. Her work addresses cultural, political, and spatial barriers faced by minority communities, including Muslim women’s access to swimming programs and refugee integration through sports. She also examines the role of digital technologies in shaping sports culture and leisure practices. Projects & Grants: PI of 'HEALTHCOM: Healthy communities in ageing societies' (NordForsk, 2023–2026) Co-PI of 'Trivsel gennem fritidsfællesskaber' (Danish Refugee Council, 2021–2023) Media & Outreach: Lenneis frequently engages with media on topics like gender-segregated swimming debates and digital sports culture. She also contributes to policy discussions through her editorial roles and public lectures.

• Health Disparities
• Ethnic Minorities and Sport Participation
• Participatory Research Methods (CBPR/PAR)
• +4 more

Dr. Maarja Kaaristo is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism Mobilities and Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University's Business School. She specializes in waterways tourism, place-making, and qualitative research methods. Her research focuses on UK inland waterways, tourist mobilities, and spatial governance, with a particular emphasis on canals and their socio-cultural significance. Her editorial roles include Associate Editor for Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality and Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics . She is also a member of professional associations such as the European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA) and the Institute of Place Management. Dr. Kaaristo leads undergraduate modules like Research Project and Understanding the Customer Experience , and teaches on the doctoral programme's Reviewing Literature . She supervises PhD research focused on wine-tourism stakeholder networks and broader themes in tourism mobilities. Recent projects include a seed grant exploring waterways' role in sustainable town revitalization. Her work has been featured in media such as Estonian Public Broadcasting and Tameside Radio. Her research outputs span over 25 publications, including special issues on geographies of waterscapes and tourism landscapes. Key themes include tourist skills, governance of mobilities, and sensory experiences in water-based tourism.

• Tourism Mobilities
• Waterways and Inland Water Tourism
• Place-Making and Spatial Governance
• +4 more

Miguel Nuno Africano Fernandes Barata is an Assistant Professor at ISMAT - Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes in Portimão, Portugal. He also serves as Director of the Tourism Management course and Coordinator of Internships and Employability. Affiliated with the CiTUR Center for Tourism Research, his academic background includes a Ph.D. in Management (Human Resources in Hospitality), a Master's in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, and a degree in Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations. His research focuses on Tourism and Hospitality, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, Communication, Event Management, and Human Resources Strategy. He has authored numerous scientific articles and technical books, organized national/international events, and supervised 23 master's dissertations. His work frequently addresses sustainability in tourism, innovation in hospitality practices, and strategic management in creative industries. Key contributions include projects on sustainable community development through tourism (e.g., Algarve rural territories) and studies on youth career motivations in hospitality. His recent publications explore topics like golf participation barriers and decision-making skills in higher education. Despite not explicitly listing grants, his work indicates engagement with applied research and educational innovation. Barata is recognized for bridging academic research with professional development through internships and employability programs. Though no specific lab affiliations are mentioned, his role as course director suggests leadership in tourism education infrastructure.

• Tourism
• Hospitality Management
• Entrepreneurship
• +7 more

Barbara Smetschka is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Social Ecology (iSEC) within the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU). Her work focuses on sustainable urban development, time use studies, participatory research, and gender-sustainability intersections. She leads projects funded by national and international bodies including the European Commission and FFG, while contributing to climate policy through reports like the APCC Special Report. 2018: Dr. in Social and Human Ecology, Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt 2025: Senior Scientist, BOKU Research Interests: Sustainable Urban Development Time Use and Climate Policy Participatory Modeling Gender and Sustainability Recent Article Trends: Her publications analyze climate-friendly time allocation, urban energy transitions, and gendered care dynamics. Topics span socio-ecological modeling, digital twin applications, and nexus approaches in urban planning. Scientific Awards: ÖGUT Environmental Price (2024) BOKU Sustainability Award Nominee (2022) FFG-funded project winner (2020) BMNT/Forum Umweltbildung award (2019) Dr. Maria Schaumayer-Stiftung (1994) Grants & Projects: She leads EU Horizon 2020 grants (e.g., MAT_STOCKS, ROBIN), FFG projects (e.g., GLASGRÜN), and national initiatives like APCC Special Reports. Her work bridges academic research with community-driven urban sustainability solutions.

• Sustainable Urban Development
• Time Use Studies
• Participatory Research
• +5 more

Dr. Lianne Aarntzen is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences , Utrecht University , specializing in Social, Health and Organisational Psychology . Her research focuses on gender dynamics, stereotypes, and organizational contexts. Research Interests: Gender, Diversity and Global Justice; work-family guilt; organizational integration of newcomers; parental leave policies. Affiliations: Chair of Derks Work and Organizational Psychology; contributor to multiple international collaborations. Her recent publications examine the gender gap in parental leave intentions , economic resilience in Dutch women , and gender stereotypes in parental work-family guilt , published in journals like Political Psychology , Midwifery , and British Journal of Social Psychology . She leads three living labs to improve women's economic resilience and studies how gender norms shape work-family decisions. Scientific Impact: Her work has garnered significant attention, including policy citations , news coverage , and social media engagement on platforms like X and Mendeley.

• Social Psychology
• Gender Studies
• Work-Family Guilt
• +3 more

Rui Biscaia is an Associate Professor at the University of Bath's Department for Health, specializing in sport management and consumer behavior. His research focuses on bridging sport consumers, organizations, athletes, and sponsors, with key interests in fan wellbeing, sponsorship management, mega-sport events, and sustainability practices. He joined the University of Bath in June 2021 and collaborates internationally with researchers across multiple countries. He serves as Associate Editor of European Sport Management Quarterly and editorial board member for journals like Sport Management Review and Sport Marketing Quarterly . He co-led the Marie Curie-funded EventRights project addressing inequality and diversity in mega-sport events. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and reduced inequalities. His research output includes over 60 peer-reviewed articles and co-authored/co-edited books. Notable projects span sport branding, fan engagement, and sustainability initiatives. His recent articles explore athlete branding, fan flourishing, and airline sustainability practices. He received the 2023 Best Research Paper Award in sports marketing and has advised doctoral theses on fan engagement and sport management. Biscaia's research emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, with studies in journals like Journal of Sport Management and Leisure Studies . His work bridges academic theory with practical applications in sport organizations, events, and policy.

• Sport Management
• Fan Wellbeing
• Sponsorship
• +5 more

Dr. Giulia Perugia is an Assistant Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Human Technology Interaction group within the School of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences. She holds a BA in Literature and Linguistics from the University of Roma Tre, an MSc in Cognitive Science (Summa cum Laude) from the University of Siena, and a double PhD in Assistive Technologies from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and TU/e. Prior to joining TU/e in 2021, she conducted postdoctoral research at Uppsala Social Robotics Lab (2018–2021). Her research focuses on Social Robotics, Social Psychology, and Ethical HRI, investigating societal biases in robot design and their impact on human interactions. She has contributed to projects like the ESDiT initiative exploring ethics in disruptive technologies. Notable achievements include the 2022 Honorable Mention for User Studies at HRI and the 2017 RSJ/KROS Distinguished Interdisciplinary Research Award. She teaches courses on Human-Robot Interaction, Qualitative Methods, and User Experience Design. Research interests include studying perceptions of social robots over time, biases in humanoid robot design, and applications for people with dementia. She has developed engagement models like ENGAGE-DEM to improve quality of life through technology. Her work bridges cognitive science, robotics, and ethics, with over 30 peer-reviewed publications and media engagements discussing gendering robots and societal implications.

• Social Robotics
• Social Psychology
• Ethical and Inclusive HRI
• +3 more

Alma Memisevic is an Associate Professor at the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning (IBL) within Linköping University's Faculty of Educational Sciences. She is affiliated with the Division of Learning, Aesthetics, Natural Science (LEN) and is based at Campus Norrköping. Her research focuses on science education, particularly subject-based teaching practices in natural sciences and the role of school-age educare centers in fostering scientific literacy. Memisevic leads the Technology and Science Education Research (TESER) unit established in 2011, which explores intersections between technology, science, and pedagogy. Her work examines how educational discourse shapes teaching practices in technical and scientific domains, with a special emphasis on marginalized student populations. Recent publications investigate the impact of segregated after-school programs on children's learning experiences and the necessity for optimizing leisure-time education within broader societal frameworks. Memisevic's research integrates discourse analysis methodologies to critique current educational policies, advocating for more inclusive and effective pedagogical approaches. She collaborates with teacher training programs to develop practical applications of her findings in Norrköping's educational landscape.

• Science Education
• Technology Education
• Pedagogical Practices
• +3 more

Ted Brown is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Course Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Monash University's Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. He has over 30 years of clinical and academic experience, including roles at Kingston Psychiatric Hospital, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and La Trobe University. His research focuses on pediatric occupational therapy, evidence-based practice, and the application of the Rasch Measurement Model. Ted has contributed to 538 publications and 14 research projects, including studies on sensory processing, motor skills, and interprofessional collaboration. Education: Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (Honours), Queen's University (1986) Master of Public Administration (Health Care Policy), Queen's University (1989) Master of Science in Rehabilitation, Queen's University (1991) PhD in Occupational Therapy, University of Queensland (2003) Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education, Monash University (2006) Research Interests: Paediatric occupational therapy and family-centered care School-based intervention and assessment methodologies Rasch analysis of clinical scales Evidence-based education for health professionals Sensory processing and play in neurotypical children Awards: Inaugural Fellow of the Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy (2017) FAOTA designation from the American Occupational Therapy Association (2019) Recipient of multiple research grants including Allied Health Research Committee Awards (2003, 2007) Advising & Grants: Supervised over 20 PhD, masters, and honours theses on topics like paramedic education, sensory processing, and falls prevention Principal Investigator on projects funded by Monash University, Carers Australia, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University Recipient of Academy Better Teaching grants (2018) and international research collaborations Labs & Teams: Active in Monash's occupational therapy education programs and collaborates with institutions like Deakin University (Honorary Professor) and Hong Kong Polytechnic University on curriculum development initiatives.

• Pediatric Occupational Therapy
• School-Based Occupational Therapy Practice
• Child-Centered Assessment
• +7 more

Dr Edward Loveman is an Assistant Professor and Researcher in the School for Cross-faculty Studies at the University of Warwick. They hold a PhD in Sport & Event Management from Bournemouth University, an MRes in Sociology, and a BA (Hons) in Sport & Social Science, both from the University of Bath. Edward employs an integrative pedagogy that combines knowledge-based learning with experiential activities like visual projects and creative experiments. Their learner-centered approach focuses on inclusive curriculum design and connecting academic concepts to real-world challenges in sustainable development and social design. They teach modules including DI105: Visual Practice and Curiosity, GD106: Social Principles of Global Sustainable Development, and GD912: Popular Movements and Sustainable Change. Edward's research explores being and belonging through two interconnected strands: critical analysis of sport/leisure's socio-cultural dimensions, and alternative narratives through myth, play, and mysticism. Their interdisciplinary work advocates for radical scholarship using creative methods to challenge dominant paradigms. Publications consistently address themes of identity formation, media ethnography, cultural politics in sport, and critical leisure studies, often employing autoethnographic and experimental methodologies. Edward currently supervises three postgraduate students: Alice Davidson (MASc, completed): 'Using Photo-Elicitation To Make Visible Women’s Everyday, Embodied Experiences Of The Manosphere' (2024 Capstone Award Winner) Hannah Micuta (MASc, in progress): 'Worlds of injustice: How Syngenta perpetuates slow violence' Ilaria Ravazzolo (PhD, in progress): 'Cooking Identity: A Gastrofeminist Study of (Grand)Mothers, Belonging and National Identity'

• Sociology of Sport and Leisure
• Cultural Studies
• Visual Arts
• +4 more

James Higgerson is a Research Fellow in the Division of Pharmacy & Optometry. His work focuses on public health policy, urban health metrics, and global health interventions, particularly in low-income regions. He has contributed to studies on end-of-life care equity, arthritis’s impact on employment, and NHS primary care integration. His research often employs mixed methods, including photovoice and qualitative analysis. Key projects include the EVI-DEM initiative (2022–2023), examining dementia support costs, and extensive work in Cameroon evaluating LPG adoption’s health and environmental benefits. His PhD thesis (2013) explored alcohol-attributable harm in European cities. Recent publications highlight urban health policy, clean cooking solutions, and health disparities. Publications span 17 peer-reviewed articles, including high-impact studies in BMJ Open , RMD Open , and Social Science & Medicine . Notable contributions include analyzing Cameroon’s energy transitions and UK healthcare systems. His research aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing health equity and sustainable development.

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Urban Health
• +3 more

Georgios Katsogridakis serves as Lecturer and Programme Leader at Plymouth Marjon University's School of Education. He holds an MSc in International Leisure and Tourism Studies from the University of Derby, an MA from NHL Stenden University, and a PGCert in Higher Education. His teaching spans Outdoor Adventure Education, Primary Education, and International Tourism programs. Research explores three interconnected themes: adventure/heritage relationships, decolonization of outdoor education curricula, and digital technology integration in outdoor learning. Recent work examines how wearable technology transforms mountain experiences and develops relational pedagogies for adventure sports education. As Editorial Board Member for the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning and External Examiner for the University of Highlands and Islands, he contributes to academic quality assurance. His international presentations include the 2024 International Outdoor Education Research Conference in Tokyo.

• Adventure Education
• Decolonizing Curriculum
• Digital Technology in Education
• +2 more

Dr Laura Wallis serves as Senior Lecturer and Marjon Business Lead at the University of St Mark and St John, where she directs postgraduate business provision within the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation. Her academic foundation combines business expertise with specialized focus on lifestyle-driven entrepreneurship contexts. Her educational trajectory demonstrates deep institutional commitment to Plymouth-based programs: PhD in Lifestyle Entrepreneurship within Lifestyle Sports Industry (University of Plymouth) Postgraduate Certificate of Academic Practice with HEA Fellowship Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methodology (University of Plymouth) MSc Business and Management (University of Plymouth) BA (Hons) Business Administration (University of Plymouth) Foundation Degree Business and Management (North Devon College/University of Plymouth) Research centers on the intersection of entrepreneurial identity formation and lifestyle choices within sports industries, with particular emphasis on flexible work arrangements and work-life balance dynamics. Her investigations reveal how surf culture and rural tourism settings generate unique entrepreneurial ecosystems where lifestyle preferences directly shape business models and growth trajectories. This work bridges academic theory with practical applications for micro-enterprise development in coastal communities. Publication trends since 2016 show consistent focus on lifestyle entrepreneurship typologies within sports contexts, especially surfing communities in Southwest England. Her scholarship establishes frameworks for identifying entrepreneurial motivations in leisure-based industries while addressing rural enterprise support mechanisms and pedagogical approaches to entrepreneurial education. Key contributions include defining lifestyle entrepreneur characteristics through ethnographic studies of surfboard makers and coastal micro-businesses. Professional recognition includes: Fellowship to the Higher Education Academy Membership in the Chartered Management Institute As programme lead for business postgraduates, she mentors students through curriculum development in accounting, leadership, and entrepreneurial portfolio writing. Her research projects evaluating rural enterprise support systems demonstrate applied scholarship connecting academic work with regional economic development needs, though specific grant details remain undisclosed in source materials.

• Lifestyle Entrepreneurship
• Lifestyle Sports Industry
• Flexible Working
• +4 more

Pantelis Konstantinakos is a Professor in the Department of Sports Organization & Management at the University of Peloponnese, specializing in Sport Sociology. His research focuses on social stratification in sports, physical activity's impact on health-related quality of life, and leisure organization. He teaches modules like Sociology of Sport and Mass Sports, with office hours on Wednesdays (10:00-11:00 and 17:00-18:00). Education: PhD (2001) from the University of Thessaly on 'Social Stratification and School Performance in Physical Education'; Postgraduate studies at the Institute of Physical Education, University of L'Aquila (1983). Contact: Office A3, Efstathiou - Stamatikis Valioti & Plateon, Sparta, Greece; Phone: +3027310-89671; Email: pakon@uop.gr , konstantinakop@gmail.com His publications explore topics such as violence in Greek sports, physical activity among prisoners, and health outcomes from exercise interventions. Recent works highlight correlations between physical activity and quality of life in chronic disease patients, alongside sociological analyses of cultural events and dance-based health interventions.

• Sport Sociology
• Social Stratification in Sports
• Physical Activity and Health
• +2 more