Brian Kumm-Schaley

Dr. Brian Kumm-Schaley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. His research focuses on affective dimensions of leisure in popular culture, music, and creative arts, emphasizing social conditions and joyful futures. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia (2015), an M.A. (2011), and a B.S. (1999) in related fields. His teaching includes courses on leisure theory, risk management, and professional wellness.

Research interests span qualitative/postqualitative inquiry, Deleuzian theory, and leisure's role in social belonging. Notable awards include the 2021 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award and the 2024 Leisure Studies Association Best Paper Award. He actively presents at international conferences, addressing themes like surveillance capitalism, music as resistance, and leisure pedagogy. Collaborative efforts include curriculum development and interdisciplinary community-building projects.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., University of Georgia, Recreation and Leisure Studies (2015)
  • M.A., University of Georgia, Recreation and Leisure Studies (2011)
  • B.S., University of West Georgia, Recreation and Park Management (1999)
• Awards:
  • 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award (Academy of Leisure Sciences)
  • 2024 Leisure Studies Association Best Paper Award
  • 2021 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award
• Key Presentations:
  • "Hobos, Punks, and Tricksters" (Leisure Studies Association, 2024)
  • "Music, Joy, Resistance" (Leisure Studies Association, 2023)

His scholarship critiques oppressive social structures while advocating for creative, joyful responses to contemporary challenges. Teaching innovations include pandemic-era pedagogy and interdisciplinary collaboration. No specific labs or teams are explicitly mentioned in his profile.