Kathryn Heinze

Kathryn Heinze is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at the School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, with research focusing on organizational and institutional change in sport. She explores tactics for navigating crises, player safety, corporate social responsibility, esports, and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) dynamics.

• PhD in Management and Organizations (minor in Sociology) from Northwestern University
• MA in Management and Organizations from Northwestern University
• BA (Honors) in Organizational Studies from the University of Michigan

Her work bridges organizational theory with sport management, analyzing sustainability, CSR, and institutional adaptation. Recent publications highlight crisis response (2025), green partnerships (2025), and esports institutionalization (2024). She serves as an Associate Editor for the European Sport Management Review and on the editorial board of the Journal of Sport Management.

Scientific Awards:

• Administrative Science Quarterly Award for Scholarly Contribution
• American Sociological Association Geertz Prize for Best Article
• North American Society for Sport Management Research Fellow

She is affiliated with the Organizational Studies Program (LSA) and the Center for Positive Organizations (Ross), and actively seeks doctoral researchers for projects starting Fall 2026.