Valeria Varea

Dr. Valeria Varea is a Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education at the School of Education, Edith Cowan University. Her research focuses on sociocultural perspectives of the body, health, physical activity, and sport, employing qualitative methods to critique engagement in physical activity and body perceptions. She has held academic positions across Argentina, Sweden, and Australia.

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland (2014)
• Master of Physical Education, Argentina (2012)
• Bachelor of Health and Physical Education (Honours), Argentina (2008)
• Bachelor of Education (Physical Education), Argentina (2006)

Research Interests: Sociocultural perspectives in Health and Physical Education, body studies, qualitative research methods, equity and inclusion in sport, and the impact of digital media on health perceptions.

Key Projects:

• "Data completion problem for motion capture systems" (Carl Tryggers Foundation, 2023–2025)
• "Shame on you too! Exploring skinny-shaming in masculinity-connoted sports" (Swedish Research Council, 2022–2023)
• "Educational clash or educational potential? School aged asylum seekers’ encounters with Swedish health education" (Swedish Research Council, 2021–2023)

Awards:

• 2023: Learning and Teaching Research Grant, ECU
• 2017: Distinguished Visiting Scholar, University of Valladolid
• 2014: AIESEP Young Scholar Award

Her work explores issues such as body shaming in sports coaching, pandemic-era pedagogy, and migrant experiences in health education. She supervises doctoral research on culturally marginalized girls' participation in sports and equity in teacher education.