Sport Culture & Policy

Aim: The main aim of the 'Sport Culture & Policy' research strand of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport led by Dr David Howe is to research and disseminate knowledge of the cultural environment surrounding Paralympic sport.

Overview: This research strand is interested in how the culture of the Paralympic movement is distinct from that of the mainstream. In order to achieve this aim the Sport Culture and Policy team are interested in a wide range of social issues (e.g. class, ethnicity, gender and physicality) and how these impact upon the community involved in disability sport. Our research is undertaken using qualitative methods within the disciplines of social anthropology and sociology with special attention paid to historical and ethical issues.

Policy research within the group is primarily focused upon how legally binding policy (e.g. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other related national legislation) shapes the practice of those providing services for the disability sport community. As such we are interested in the relationship between policies, the programmes developed to implement them and the practice on the ground.

This strand undertakes research in areas which includes but is not limited to the following:

• Disability in Sport, Physical Activity and Health
• Paralympism
• Women’s Participation in Paralympic sport
• Cultural history of the Paralympic Movement
• Classification, sport science and technology interface

If you would be interested in the Peter Harrison Centre undertaking research in these (or related areas) please contact Dr. David Howe at the following email address: p.d.howe@lboro.ac.uk. Dr. David Howe's staff profile can be accessed from here