Natalie Barker-Ruchti

Natalie Barker-Ruchti is an Associate Professor in Sport Management and Coaching at Örebro University, affiliated with the School of Health Sciences and Department of Health Sciences. She holds a PhD in Human Movement Studies (2007, University of Queensland) alongside prior degrees from New Zealand institutions. Her research focuses on elite athlete learning, gender dynamics in sport, and systemic abuse in women’s artistic gymnastics (WAG). Central to her work is the #gymnastalliance project, examining global athlete disclosures of abuse, which influenced Swiss sports reforms via the Rudin Cantieni Report and media exposure in outlets like New York Times.

Teaching emphasizes ethics, sustainability, and pedagogical innovation in sport management/coaching programs. She supervises across academic levels and leads the International Socio-Cultural research group on Women's Artistic Gymnastics (ISCWAG). Collaborative networks include SafeSport Sweden, Reshape research group, and Gymnasts for Change. Research environments include the Center for Violence Studies (CVS). Notable projects address fat-shaming in coaching, dual-career athlete pathways, and sustainable elite sport practices.

Her work bridges historical analysis (e.g., 1926 Women’s Olympic Games) with modern challenges, advocating for athlete wellbeing and systemic change. Publications span sociology of sport, coaching ethics, and trauma-informed research methodologies. Key themes include gender-based violence prevention, leadership dynamics, and interdisciplinary injury research.