Samantha-Jayne Oldfield

Dr. Samantha-Jayne Oldfield is a Reader (equivalent to Associate Professor) at Manchester Metropolitan University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, specializing in sport history and sociology. She serves as the Department Education Lead and Faculty of Science and Engineering Inclusive Learning Community Lead. Previously, she led undergraduate programs in Coaching and Sport Development (2014-2022) and redesigned postgraduate pathways.

Her research focuses on reconstructing marginalized sport histories through biographical methods, with current emphasis on England Netball's founding figures. She consults for England Netball's heritage group, founded the international Netball History Network, and provides expert commentary for BBC platforms. Her work intersects sport with social equity, gender studies, and community development.

Honors include Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. She secured an Arts and Humanities Research Council grant (2021) for doctoral collaboration with the National Football Museum. Actively involved in equity initiatives, she works to reduce awarding gaps across the institution.

Beyond academia, Oldfield coaches and administers netball clubs across Staffordshire and the West Midlands, recognized by England Netball as an Inspiring Volunteer. She maintains editorial roles for Sport in History journal and partners with cancer research charities.