معرفی
Guylaine Demers is a Full Professor in the Department of Physical Education at Laval University's Faculty of Education. With a career spanning over two decades as both a high-level basketball player and coach, she has become a leading figure in gender equity research in Quebec and Canadian sport. She directs the Laboratory for the Advancement of Women in Sports in Quebec (Lab PROFEMS) and previously co-directed the National Research Centre on Gender Equity in Sport (E-Alliance).
Her research interests focus on gender equity in sports, women's leadership development, and LGBTQ+ inclusion in athletic environments. She has conducted extensive work on homophobia in sports and the experiences of transgender athletes, leading to significant contributions to national policies and educational frameworks. Dr. Demers has led over 300 leadership development sessions for women across six continents.
Dr. Demers' publication record shows a consistent focus on gender issues in sports, with recent work emphasizing transgender athlete inclusion, gender disparities in sports participation, and strategies for increasing women's leadership. Her research employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine systemic barriers and develop evidence-based solutions.
- IOC Woman and Sport Award for the Americas (2020)
- Canada's Woman of Influence in Sport and Physical Activity (2007, 2011, 2015)
- Finalist for Quebec government's Thérèse-Casgrain Equality Award (2022)
Dr. Demers has secured over $4.4 million in research funding from various sources including the Quebec Ministry of Education, SSHRC, Sport Canada, and the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Centre. Her current projects address gender inequalities in sports participation, inclusive environments for LGBTQ2+ sports personnel, and mixed-gender sports environments.
As director of Lab PROFEMS, she leads a research team focused on advancing girls' and women's participation and leadership in sports through evidence-based research, policy recommendations, and practical resources for sports organizations. The laboratory has become a key resource for sports federations, educational institutions, and government agencies seeking to implement gender equity initiatives.
