Professor Karin Redelius holds a position at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), Department of Movement, Culture and Society, specializing in Sport Management. She leads the Physical Education and Health (PIF) research group, focusing on youth sports, physical education pedagogy, and children's rights in sport. Her work critiques commercialization trends in youth sports and emphasizes rights-based approaches to sport design. She has mentored over 25 doctoral students since the group's inception in the late 1980s. Education: Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (Stockholm). Research Interests: Organized youth sports aligned with the Convention on the Rights of the Child Early specialization, commercialization, and participation rights in sports Assessment practices in physical education Key Contributions: Pioneered studies on youth voice in sport, leadership recruitment challenges, and the intersection of sport policy with human rights frameworks. Athletic Background: Former Swedish bandy champion, national team member (1984–1994), and multi-sport athlete (football, handball).
Dr. Sebastian McBride is a lecturer in the Department of Biosciences at Aberystwyth University. He holds a BSc from the University of Liverpool and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. He first joined Aberystwyth in 1996 in the Institute of Rural Sciences, later transitioning to the Department of Computer Science and then conducting research in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. He returned to Aberystwyth University in 2016, where he currently conducts research in animal cognition and neurophysiology of behavior. Education: BSc, University of Liverpool; PhD, University of Edinburgh Appointments: Lecturer, Department of Biosciences, Aberystwyth University (2016–present); previously held positions in Computer Science and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth, and research roles at Cambridge. Dr. McBride's research focuses on animal cognition, particularly in relation to human neurodegenerative diseases, repetitive behavioral disorders, and cognitive enrichment in farm and captive animals. His work spans equine and ovine models, with strong emphasis on welfare, sleep, and emotional states. He has led externally funded projects on depression in horses and Alzheimer’s modeling in sheep, contributing significantly to veterinary behavior and translational neuroscience. His recent publications demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining neuroscience, veterinary science, computer vision, and behavioral ecology. Key themes include equine depression, cognitive flexibility in sheep, automatic behavior detection using AI, and the gut-brain axis. His work is frequently covered in press and media, highlighting public interest in animal mental health. Scientific Awards and Recognition: No specific awards listed, but extensive media coverage (28 items) and high public engagement (picked up by 18 news outlets, multiple social media mentions). Principal Investigator on two externally funded research projects. Dr. McBride advises PhD students including Jacky Kuo and Claire O'Brien in the Department of Life Sciences. He leads research projects on cognitive testing in horses and developing ovine models of human disease. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land and responsible consumption. He maintains active research datasets and collaborates across institutions including Hartpury University and the University of Cambridge.
Aage Radmann is Professor of Sport Sociology at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH) and also serves as University Provost. Affiliated with the Department of Teacher Education and Outdoor Studies, he has been a leading figure in Scandinavian sport sociology since 1997, including 15 years as department head at both Malmö University and NIH. Education Licentiate in Sociology, Lund University, Sweden PhD in Sport Science, Malmö University, Sweden Research Interests Radmann’s research integrates sociological theory with contemporary sport phenomena, focusing on: Football supporter culture and hooliganism in Nordic and global contexts Gender, masculinities and female fandom in digital arenas Equestrian sport, youth identity and social media Outdoor recreation, sport tourism and sustainability Digitalisation, esports and sport-for-development initiatives Across more than 30 recent publications, his work demonstrates a consistent emphasis on the intersection of sport, media, identity and power. Studies range from the environmental transformation of the equine sector to the effects of COVID-19 on football spectatorship, illustrating an enduring concern with how macro-level changes reshape micro-level sport experiences. Scientific Awards & Recognition While no external prizes are listed, Radmann’s sustained leadership roles—including 15 years as department head and his current position as University Provost—attest to significant institutional recognition. Teaching & Supervision He teaches sociology, sport science, youth culture, media studies, gender, health, innovation, higher-education pedagogy and qualitative methodology. The text does not name specific doctoral advisees. Labs & Research Groups Radmann is an active member of the Friluftsliv / Outdoor Studies research group at NIH, which anchors his interdisciplinary collaborations in outdoor recreation and education.
Peter Charlish is a Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, serving as acting Deputy Head of the Department of Law, Criminology and Community Justice and Head of University Academic Workplanning. He leads the sports law module at undergraduate level and oversees academic workplanning across the Department. His roles include managing staff and developing courses such as the Graduate Diploma in Law and LLB Business Law degree. Education: BA (Hons), PGCE, MA (Law), MPhil, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). Current roles also include Operations Manager for the Department and Academic Conduct Panel Chair. Research focuses on sports law, particularly legal regulation of doping and negligence in sports violence. Publications include analyses of anti-doping policies, high-profile doping cases (e.g., Lance Armstrong), and negligence frameworks in sports injury incidents. He contributes to the International Sports Law Review editorial board. Media engagement includes BBC Radio interviews on doping scandals and parliamentary consultations on volunteering legislation. His work has been cited in Hansard for contributions to the Private Members Promotion of Volunteering Bill and Childhood Review submissions.
Dr. Gaby Harris is a Lecturer in Fashion Cultures at the Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University. Her sociological research interrogates intersections of identity, inequality, and material culture through fashion practices. PhD in Sociology from London School of Economics and Political Science (2023) MSc in Inequalities and Social Sciences (Distinction, 2016) BA in Sociology (First Class Honours, 2014) Research focuses on: Girlhood and marginalization Class and consumption dynamics Second-hand fashion economies Post-feminist material practices Recent publications analyze: 2025: Pocket money socialization 2025: Celebrity gendered fashion 2024: Equestrian style resurgence 2024: Supermarket fashion commodification She supervises: Navisa Tizro (MRes): Non-binary identity through clothing Jennifer Richards (PhD): The Gothicised Body in Fashion
Dr. Tara Mayer is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice under the Faculty of Arts at the University of British Columbia . Her scholarship bridges colonial South Asian history with critical visual literacy, examining material and aesthetic exchanges between Europe and Asia, and challenging historical pedagogies through social justice frameworks. Recipient of the Killam Teaching Prize (2019) , Wall Scholar (2019/20) , and Peter Wall Residency in Innovative Pedagogy (2020/21) . Collaborates with the Museum of Vancouver and serves as a Research Associate at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) . Research Interests Dr. Mayer’s work focuses on: Critical Visual Literacy : Analyzing how digital technologies and historical visual cultures shape social justice, with a symposium on material culture and a roundtable on visual literacies. Teaching Historical Controversy : Investigating trauma, subjectivity, and pedagogies of discomfort in colonial and postcolonial contexts, particularly Partition-era histories. Recent Publications Her articles span topics from colonial attire to contemporary fashion, emphasizing reciprocal cultural exchanges and representation. Notable trends include: Visual culture as a tool for interrogating racial and gendered identities . Historical analysis of material culture in global contexts (e.g., 1918). Critical engagement with fashion and colonialism across British, French, and Indian histories. Awards & Collaborations Organized international research roundtables on visual literacies . Developed object-based learning programs with the Museum of Vancouver .
Dr Ulrike Weiss is an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Art History at the University of St Andrews. She holds a PhD from 1998 focusing on South German Rococo church sculpture and workshop practices. Her research bridges material culture studies with gender analysis, specializing in the long eighteenth century, Hanoverian court culture, and equestrian iconography. She has curated major exhibitions such as the 2018 'Sidesaddle: 1690-1935' at the National Sporting Library and Museum. Notable awards include a 2020 Leverhulme Research Fellowship for her project on female equestrians and gender performance. Joined University of St Andrews in 2009 after 12 years as museum curator Expertise in numismatics, baroque art, and curatorial practice Deputy chair for Hanoverian Succession exhibition (2014) Research explores gendered material culture, including side-saddle history and female ridership, alongside political iconography in medals and documents. Active in both academic publications and public exhibitions, she has secured major grants including Carnegie Trust funding for projects on sculptor workshops and Hanoverian portraiture. Recent work focuses on 'Fair Amazons' examining female equestrians' role in gender performance (1770–1820). Publications span art history, numismatic analysis, and cultural transfer studies, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches.
Ellen Karoline Gjervan is a Professor at the Drama Department within the Department of Language, Art and Culture at Queen Maud Memorial College for Early Childhood Education. Her academic work focuses on theatre studies, with a particular emphasis on Henrik Ibsen's staging practices and historical performance contexts.
Raphaël Blanchier is a Lecturer in Anthropology specializing in dance studies, with a particular focus on Mongolian dance traditions, cultural heritage, and the transmission of bodily practices. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Sports Science at the University of Clermont Auvergne, where he holds significant academic responsibilities including co-heading the Master 1 Civilizations, Cultures and Societies program and serving as Educational Manager for the Erasmus Mundus Master's degree 'Choreomundus: International Master in Dance Knowledge, Practice & Heritage.' Dr. Blanchier completed his doctorate in Anthropology in 2018 at the École Pratique des Hautes Études - Paris Sciences et Lettres under the supervision of Michael Houseman and Charles Stépanoff. His dissertation focused on 'Mongolian dances as heritage: performance and transmission of bii biêlgee and stage Mongolian dance in contemporary Mongolia.' He is a graduate of the École Normale Supérieure and holds an agrégé in classical literature, with previous experience as a scholarship holder at the Musée du Quai Branly. His research centers on the anthropology of dance, with particular expertise in Mongolian cultural practices. Blanchier investigates how dance functions as a vehicle for cultural transmission, national identity formation, and heritage processes. His work examines the complex relationship between traditional dance forms like bii biêlgee and contemporary influences, including globalization and digital media. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Mongolia, exploring how dance communities navigate tradition and innovation, and how knowledge is transmitted through bodily practices. His research also extends to French traditional dance forms, as evidenced by his work on the Auvergne bourrée. Blanchier's scholarly output reveals a consistent focus on the political dimensions of dance, the relationship between dance and national identity, and the complex processes of heritage-making in contemporary contexts. His recent work has increasingly addressed the role of digital platforms in dance transmission and the evolving nature of dance communities in the digital age, as seen in his research on Facebook usage by Mongolian dancers. Specializes in Mongolian dance traditions (particularly bii biêlgee) Researches cultural heritage processes and national identity construction through dance Examines the impact of globalization on traditional dance forms Investigates digital media's role in dance transmission Studies French traditional dance (Auvergne bourrée) As an educator, Blanchier plays a key role in developing international dance education programs, particularly through the Choreomundus Erasmus Mundus program, which reflects his commitment to interdisciplinary and international approaches to dance studies. His academic service includes significant contributions to research communities through conference presentations, translations of Mongolian literature, and collaborative projects examining dance, heritage, and cultural identity across multiple contexts.
Valeria Meiller is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at the University of Texas at San Antonio's College of Liberal and Fine Arts. She holds a PhD in Latin American Literature and Cultural Studies from Georgetown University (2021), an M.S. from the same institution (2019), and a B.A. in Modern Literature and Literary Theory from the University of Buenos Aires (2014). Her research specializes in Latin American literature and visual arts examined through environmental philosophy, cultural studies, and spatial theory. She is particularly known for developing the concept of 'necroterritories' in her book project exploring slaughterhouses and the politics of death in the Plata River basin. Meiller co-directed the award-winning film The Case of Meat and co-created the exhibition Matadero Modelo featuring 3D models of Francisco Salamone's slaughterhouses. Meiller directs Ruge el bosque , a transnational project on multilingual environmental poetry that includes regional anthologies from the Southern Cone and Mesoamerica, with future volumes planned for the Caribbean, Andean States, and Amazon Basin. This project, which earned the NECLAS Best Digital Scholarship Award (2023), also features the research podcast Ecoteca and informs her second book project on bio- and linguistic diversity loss in extractivist economies. As a poet, she has published four collections in Spanish, including El libro de los caballitos (2021) and El mes raro (2014), the latter forthcoming in English translation as The Odd Month (2024). Her scholarly work spans environmental humanities, animal studies, plant studies, and ecopoetry, with numerous refereed articles in journals like ISLE and Revista Hispánica Moderna . LASA Award of Merit in Film (2022) NECLAS Best Digital Scholarship Award (2023) Ford-LASA Special Projects Grant (2022) COLFA Nominee for High Impact Paper Award (2024) NCCLA Best Research Collaboration Award (2024) Meiller teaches courses examining Venezuelan diasporic literature, plant studies, Latin American ecology, and ecopoetry in translation. Her collaborative work with Whitney DeVos on 'wetland poetics' has been particularly influential, analyzing how contemporary poetry from Argentine wetlands functions as both regionally-situated and planetary practice amid environmental crises and extractivist pressures.
Dr Gasper Jakovac is a cultural and literary historian specializing in early modern English literature and performance studies. He currently holds an Honorary Research Fellowship at University College London (UCL) and works as a researcher at the Institute of Slovenian Literature and Literary Studies, part of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU). His research spans Catholic performance culture, manuscript studies, and transnational exchanges between England, Italy, and Slovenian territories during the 16th–17th centuries. Education: MA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, PhD in English Literature (Durham University); BA in Comparative Literature and History (University of Ljubljana) Jakovac’s work focuses on the interplay between drama, religious communities, and social life in early modern England, with a particular emphasis on Catholic cultural practices under persecution. He also contributes to public history, notably co-hosting the Experiencing Epidemics podcast during the 2020–2021 pandemic. His recent publications examine Catholic performance spaces, manuscript drama, and the socio-political symbolism of equestrian culture. Jakovac’s CaPer project on Catholic performance culture in early modern England (2022–2024), funded by Marie Curie, includes a scholarly edition of Robert Owen’s The History of Purgatory manuscript. Scientific Awards: Prešeren Prize (University of Ljubljana, 2012) Jakovac has taught at Durham University, Edinburgh Napier University, and the University of York, while maintaining affiliations with institutions like the Bodleian Library, European University Institute, and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (University of Edinburgh).
Hannah Smith is a Tutorial Fellow at St Hilda's College, Oxford and Associate Professor in Early Modern British History. She specialises in British political, cultural, and gender history between 1660–1760, with notable expertise in court culture, military history, and early modern women writers such as Mary Astell. Her research bridges historical analysis with interdisciplinary interests in medieval science and vision science. Dr Smith holds a Philip Leverhulme Prize (2008) and has authored/co-edited major works including *Georgian Monarchy: Politics and Culture 1714–1760* (2006) and *Religion and Women in Britain, 1660–1760* (2014). She is currently co-editing Lord Hervey's memoirs for Oxford University Press and researching aristocratic libertinism and 19th/20th-century equestrianism. She supervises DPhil students at St Cross, Keble, and Mansfield colleges. Her teaching spans early modern British history, gender studies, and military history. She has held prior positions at Christ’s College, Cambridge (as lecturer) and the University of Hull (as RCUK Academic Fellow). Her work integrates historical methodologies with cutting-edge interdisciplinary projects in vision science, adaptive optics, and material perception. Key awards include the Philip Leverhulme Prize (2008). She actively advises on doctoral research and collaborates across disciplines, evidenced by her co-edited volumes and participation in projects like the Robert Grosseteste scientific works series.
Thomas Wilson serves as Programme Director for BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College, where he teaches approaches to devised and physical theatres, practical artistic research, and the 'training of training'. He also coordinates the institution's Turing scheme activities and acts as a Mental Health First Aider. His educational background includes: MA Physical Theatre (London) PGCertHE Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (Manchester) PGCE Secondary (Drama) (Open University) BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Studies (Surrey) Wilson's research centers on actor/performer training methodologies , with specialized focus on Theatrical Biomechanics , visual and physical theatre devising practices, circus-theatre hybrids, and human-animal performance dynamics. His work bridges academic rigor with practical application, particularly through his exploration of non-traditional training documentation. As Associate Editor for Theatre, Dance and Performance Training Journal , he champions innovative writing approaches that transcend conventional academic prose. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent trajectory examining embodied training practices across diverse performance contexts. His work increasingly investigates interspecies performance (particularly equestrian theatre) while maintaining core focus on physical theatre pedagogy. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary reach spanning circus arts, dance-theatre fusion, and experimental training documentation. Scientific recognition includes: Shortlisted for Society for Theatre Research’s 2016 Book Prize (for Juggling Trajectories: Gandini Juggling 1991-2015 ) Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy Wilson actively shapes performance education through his Programme Director role overseeing student training pathways, while his industry engagement includes serving as Trustee for Curving Road/Theatre Delicatessen (2013-2021) and Educational Advisory Board Member for Accademia Teatro Dimitri (2016-2020). His Gandini Juggling Archive collaboration demonstrates sustained commitment to preserving contemporary circus heritage. Professional activities extend to international partnerships through the Turing scheme and creative exploration via his Associate Artist role with Gandini Juggling (2014-2020), where he contributed to archival projects documenting contemporary circus evolution.
Dr. Ciara Losty is a Lecturer and researcher in applied sport and exercise psychology at South East Technological University, where she also leads the MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology program. She is accredited by the Irish Sport and Exercise Sciences Association and has served as part of Team Ireland's sport science team for the Tokyo 2020 and London 2012 Olympics. Currently, she is the head of performance psychology for Team Ireland at the 2024 Paris Paralympics and a senior consultant for jockey transition programs. Her research focuses on athlete mental health, performance psychology, and career transitions in sport. Education: Doctor of Health Sciences in Psychology, University of Wales MSc Psychology, University of Wrexham MSc (by research) in Sport and Exercise Psychology, SETU Cert. Cognitive Behavioural Skills for Practice (Level 8) BA (hons) Research Interests: Performance psychology and mental health in high-performance athletes Transitions in sport careers, particularly for jockeys Sport coaching methodologies and athlete welfare Professional Roles: External Examiner at Dundalk Institute of Technology (2019–2022) Principal Investigator for the 'Jockeys Transition into Retirement' project (2021–2025) Consultant for Team Ireland and the Jockey Pathway program Awards: Owain Glyndŵr Society Prize For Alumni (2024) Stephen Louden MSc Psychology Prize (2023) Key Contributions: Advocacy for mental health in equestrian sports and athlete transitions Development of sport science support systems for jockeys Publications on concussion awareness, weight management in sports, and athlete well-being
Frank Fury serves as Senior Lecturer and Director of Writing Services in the Department of English at Monmouth University, actively teaching courses through 2025 including College Composition, Foundations of American Literature, and Literary Studies for English Majors. His educational background includes: Ph.D. from Drew University B.A. from Boston College Dr. Fury's research centers on twentieth-century American fiction, modern drama, and the intersection of sports with literature, examining cultural representations through authors like William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Bruce Springsteen. His work consistently explores regional identity, particularly Southern American culture, and interdisciplinary connections between literary forms and other artistic expressions. His eight scholarly publications (2002-2010) reveal a distinctive interdisciplinary trajectory blending literary analysis with music studies, sports history, and cultural geography. Key thematic threads include the representation of American identity through boxing traditions, horseracing culture, and musical narratives, alongside innovative examinations of typographic experimentation in African American poetry and cinematic adaptations of medieval texts. He serves on the English Department Awards Committee and maintains an active teaching schedule covering composition fundamentals, American literary traditions, and specialized topics like Fictional Politics in Literature, Film, and Television.
