Women in Sport

Two women discussing a piece of equipment

The IAS Spotlight "Women in Sport" is led by Dr Verity Postlethwaite (SSEHS), Dr Samantha Rowland (SSEHS), Dr Rebecca Grant (WMEME) & Emma Johnson (Loughborough Sport).

And features confirmed IAS Visiting Fellows - 

This summer marks a powerful moment for women’s sport in the UK. With record-breaking attendances, landmark tournaments, and growing media attention, we are witnessing a cultural shift—one that celebrates the strength, skill, and stories of women and girls in sport like never before. But alongside the excitement, there’s a deeper opportunity: to ask how we can build a more inclusive, supportive, and sustainable future for women’s sport.

That’s where this initiative comes in, the Women in Sport Spotlight generously funded by the Institute of Advanced Studies and supported by the Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub and Spirit of 2012, is part of an exciting set of activities in August and September 2025.

The Spotlight features networking and roundtable discussions, where we are bringing together researchers, athletes, coaches, designers, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore the systems that shape women and girl’s experiences in sport and exercise—from governance and leadership to innovation in health, design, and participation. These conversations are not just about identifying problems—they’re about co-creating solutions.

We’re asking bold questions:

  • How can we design sports bras and protective gear that truly support women and girl’s bodies across life stages?
  • How can major sporting events be used to drive long-term change, not just short-term spectacle?
  • How can we ensure that women and girls are not only playing the game, but leading it—from the boardroom to the biomechanics lab?

This work is grounded in collaboration. By drawing on the expertise of leading academics like Dr. Rebecca Leopkey, Dr. Dana Lee Ellis, Dr. Lucy Piggott, Dr. Deidre McGhee, Dr. Katherine Rizzone, and Dr. Kelsie Johnson, we at Loughborough University are building a research and innovation roadmap that reflects the real needs of women and girls in sport.

And we’re not stopping at conversation. The outcomes of these sessions will feed into a national and international agenda—one that supports new research and innovations, informs policy, and inspires innovation across sport, health, and education.

Because a true “Summer of Women’s Sport” isn’t just about what happens on the pitch. It’s about what we build off it.

Ways to contribute and join us:

We will also be releasing reflective blog posts and updates from some of the experiences our Fellows will have, including contributing to a Business of Women’s Health – Research and Innovation Summit, attending Rugby World Cup games in Northampton, providing workshops to colleagues at the RFU, PWR, and World Rugby, plus managing to combine the visit to England as part of wider travels to the European Association for Sport Management Conference in Hungary and visiting the FIFA Archives in Zurich. Our Fellows are truly embracing the vibrancy of what the UK and Europe have going on this summer, and it is all about women and girls in sport!

Not quite able to join us this year? Do not worry, we’ve secured the rights to host the Women in Sport Exercise Academic Network in July 2026, save the date.

Events and Booking Links

We have an opportunity to meet the Fellows on Monday, followed by a roundtable on collaboration and governance.

We close the Women in Sport Spotlight on Tuesday 2nd September, with a roundtable on breast health, a further networking opportunity and a closing session focussing on next steps -