Professor Clare Hanlon is a leading academic and the inaugural Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair at Victoria University, affiliated with the College of Arts, Business, Law, Education & IT and the Institute for Health and Sport. She is internationally recognized for her work in advancing gender equity, women’s leadership, and inclusive practices in sport. Her research drives policy and systemic change across national and global sport organizations. Education: BEd, Federation University, Australia (1992) DipTeaching (Primary), Australian Catholic University, Australia (1988) MAppSc, Federation University, Australia (1995) PhD (Sport Management), Victoria University, Australia (2003) Clare’s research focuses on gender equity in sport , women’s leadership development , inclusive sport design , and the employability of sport graduates . She employs interdisciplinary approaches, combining social science, policy analysis, and organizational behavior to address systemic barriers. Her work emphasizes translating research into practice, influencing infrastructure, programs, and policy at federal, state, and international levels. Her recent publications and projects center on women in coaching, leadership in male-dominated environments, gendered organizational practices, and inclusive sport uniforms. Collaborations with PUMA, the International Olympic Committee, Tennis Australia, and government bodies highlight the applied and impactful nature of her research. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll (2018) Change our Game role model, Victorian Minister for Sport (2016) Featured in 'Oceania inspirational women: Making a difference in physical education, sport and dance' Clare actively supervises PhD and master’s students and has led major funded research projects, including those funded by the Australian Research Council, Department of Social Services, and international sport federations. She advises peak bodies and governments on gender equity, infrastructure, and leadership development. She leads a dynamic research team focused on social change in sport. Laboratories and Research Teams: Clare leads research initiatives through the Institute for Health and Sport at Victoria University, particularly focused on women in sport. Her team collaborates with national and international partners to co-design interventions and produce evidence-based action guides.










