Jessica Francombe-Webb

Jessica Francombe-Webb is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Bath's Department for Health, affiliated with the Centre for Qualitative Research and the Centre for Sport, Physical Activity and Health Equality (SPHERE). Her research focuses on health inequities across the lifespan, particularly examining how gender, socioeconomic status, disability, and age intersect with engagement in health practices. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Coach Education & Sports Development from the University of Bath (2008).

Her academic work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and health equity. Key areas of expertise include feminist physical cultural studies, girlhood studies, body image, and post-structural theory. Recent projects include the Active Childhood, Wellbeing & Risk event (2015–present), exploring youth physical activity through interdisciplinary lenses.

Research trends in her publications emphasize embodied methodologies, digital pedagogies, and critical analyses of gendered health discourses. Articles often critique societal structures impacting marginalized groups, such as disability inclusion in sport or digital empowerment campaigns. She has collaborated internationally on studies involving UK and Taiwanese older adults, highlighting cross-cultural health equity challenges.

Her advising and grants include supervision of doctoral students (3 documented) and research funding for projects like the Inspire and Include initiative. She actively engages in public health advocacy through campaigns like This Girl Can, critiquing their limitations while advancing inclusive physical activity frameworks.

Lab/Team affiliations include the Department for Health research clusters focused on qualitative methodologies and sport policy. Future work continues to address health inequities through interdisciplinary collaborations and participatory research approaches.