Fiona Jane Dowling

Fiona Jane Dowling is a Professor of Pedagogy at the Department of Sport and Social Sciences, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. With a background in physical education, qualitative research, and social justice, she has contributed extensively to teacher education and sport sociology through research, teaching, and scholarly publications.

Education:

• PhD in Physical Education Teacher Life Histories, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (1998)
• MSc, Loughborough University (1989)

Research Interests:

Dowling’s research spans physical education pedagogy, narrative inquiry, gender and race in sport, and teacher professional development. She explores how identity, equity, and inclusion are shaped within educational and sporting contexts, with a particular focus on marginalized groups such as ethnic minorities, refugees, and women in sport.

Her work often employs qualitative methodologies, especially narrative inquiry, to give voice to teachers, students, and families. She has examined how discourses around race, gender, and inclusion are constructed and enacted in policy and practice, particularly in physical education and youth sport.

Recent Publications Trends:

Dowling’s recent publications focus on children’s rights in sport, ethnic inclusion in sport policy, and qualitative research in sport studies. Her scholarly output reflects a consistent engagement with critical social issues in education and sport, using discourse analysis and narrative methods to interrogate systemic inequities and advocate for transformative pedagogies.

Scientific Contributions:

• Co-editor of the book Equity and Difference in Physical Education, Youth Sport and Health: A Narrative Approach (Routledge, 2012)
• Contributor to multiple international handbooks and edited volumes on physical education and sport pedagogy
• Published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters

Teaching and Supervision:

Dowling teaches courses in sport sociology, pedagogy, physical activity and health, research methodology, and qualitative methods. She has supervised numerous master’s and doctoral students and is actively involved in curriculum development and teacher training programs.

Current Projects:

• International study on teacher educators’ and teachers’ perspectives on whiteness, race, and anti-racism in physical education and sport (funded by the British Academy)
• Investigation of sport and physical activity provision for unaccompanied minor asylum seekers

Contact:
Email: fionajd@nih.no
Phone: +47 23 26 24 16
Mobile: +47 92 40 43 32