Philippa Velija

Philippa Velija is a Professor of Sociology and Interim Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Roehampton. She is affiliated with the Centre for Research in Society, Culture, and Social Change. Her research focuses on gender relations in sport and education, violence against women, and social inequalities in early childhood development. She is actively supervising PhD projects on topics such as gender in sport/leisure, misogyny in educational settings, and preschool enrichment programs. Velija has collaborated with institutions like Bournemouth University and the University of Canberra, and has co-authored research with scholars including Mark Mierzwinski and Georgia Allen. Her work spans sociological analyses of cricket, bullying dynamics, and gender equity in sports governance. Recent publications emphasize figurational sociology, gender pay gaps in sports organizations, and the impact of pandemic policies on physical activity.

Research interests include the intersection of gender and sport, sociological critiques of educational systems, and the role of parenting practices in social stratification. Her 49+ publications since 2008 reflect sustained engagement with topics like cricket’s gendered history, bullying in schools, and the sociocultural dimensions of physical education.

Velija’s academic leadership as Dean highlights her dual role in advancing research and institutional governance. She is open to supervising PhD candidates exploring gender, sport sociology, or educational equity themes.