Professor Leanne Norman

BSc, PGCE, PhD

Pronouns: She/her
  • Professor of Women in Sport

Research groups and centres

Publications
ORCiD
Leanne Norman

Leanne is a Professor of Women in Sport and the Academic Lead for the Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub. She holds an undergraduate degree in Sport and Physical Education from Cardiff Metropolitan University, a PGCE (FE- Sport Studies) from Cardiff University, and a PhD in Coaching Sociology from the University of Bath. Following the completion of her PhD in 2007, Leanne was employed as a Research Fellow at Leeds Beckett University. Over a 17-year career at Leeds Beckett, she progressed through academic roles to Professor, alongside taking on significant research leadership responsibilities. She was appointed Director of the Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society in 2020, where she led the strategic development and growth of a multidisciplinary research centre focused on equity, inclusion, and social change in sport.

Leanne was appointed to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences in January 2026.

The sector-leading research programme Leanne leads within the School is focused on advancing our understanding of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within sport workforces and how such issues link to organisational processes and cultures. Underpinned by critical social research, the programme of work has significantly contributed to an improvement in national and international understanding of, and approaches to: women's experiences of sport and coaching; the link between sport organisational culture and diversity and inclusion (EDI); the influence of gender on coach-athlete relationships; the intersections of identity for the impact on coaches' lives and experiences (for example, how gender intersects with race and ethnicity); and sport organisational approaches to building inclusive leadership workforces.

Leanne has written for academic and practitioner textbooks, written educational resources for coaches, and has published widely in academic journals related to sport and social issues. In each of these areas, her research and publications have made significant and original contributions to the subject area, as well as policy and practice. 

She has led national and international research projects and acted as academic expert and consultant for research funded by international and national sport councils, governing bodies and federations, and charities. Leanne utilises such research as evidence for impactful knowledge exchange and public engagement activities. This includes leading the delivery of programmes towards supporting women to thrive in their roles as coaches, as well as working alongside sport organisations to support them in creating diverse and inclusive leadership and coaching workforces.

Leanne’s research interests include:

  • Gender equity in sport coaching and leadership
  • Sport organisational culture and change
  • Sport governance
  • Broader equity and diversity (intersectional) issues within sport and coaching
  • Coaching sociology
  • Critical feminist sociology
  • Qualitative research methods
  • Implementing and promoting inclusive ways of working in sporting governing bodies
  • The influence of gender on the coach-athlete relationship

Selected example research programmes and projects, and sources of funding

  • National Women in Coaching Taskforce: Insight Programme.
    Funded by Women in Sport with Sport England (2024–present).
    PI and National Insight Lead.
  • Strategic EDI Review of Coaching and Workforce Development.
    Funded by The Football Association (2016–2024).
    PI across a programme of integrated projects informing national coaching strategy.
  • Understanding the Long-Term Impacts of Coaching Maltreatment for Former Elite Female Athletes.
    Funded by Kyniska Advocacy (2024–2025).
    PI of research examining safeguarding, harm, and gender in elite sport.
  • Women in High-Performance Coaching: Global Evaluation Programme.
    Funded by World Rugby (2019–present).
    PI for evaluation of international women’s coaching initiatives and advisor for women in HP coaching resources.
  • Gender Equality in Sport Governance and Coach Education.
    Commissioned by the European Commission / Council of Europe (2014–2017).
    Expert advisor and co-author of policy-facing research and toolkits.
  • Men as Allies in Gender Equality in Football Governance.
    Commissioned by UEFA (2021–2022).
    Co-lead author of UEFA’s first research study in this area.
  • Gender Equity in National Sport Systems: Comparative Research Programme.
    Funded by international partners including the International Olympic Committee and national sport agencies.
    Expert advisor on comparative policy and workforce studies.
  • Women in High Performance Coaching and Leadership Pathways.
    Funded by UK Sport and national governing bodies (ongoing).
    Consultant and research lead on advancing gender equity in high-performance sport workforces.
  • Consultant and Expert Advisor, UK Sport – Women in High-Performance Coaching and Leadership
  • Gender Equality Advisor - International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport and Social Impact Workforce Initiative
  • National Insight Lead, National Women in Coaching Taskforce (Women in Sport, supported by Sport England)
  • Affiliated Scholar, Tucker Center for Research on Women & Girls in Sport, University of Minnesota (USA)
  • Visiting Professor, School of Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Gloucestershire
  • International Expert Grant Reviewer, Research Council of Finland and Research Council of Norway
  • Editorial board member: Sport Coaching Review
  • Regularly referees for international journals in sport sociology, gender and work, sport management, coaching, and sport policy, and acts as a peer reviewer for national and international research councils and funding bodies.
  • Regularly contributes expert commentary on gender equity, leadership, and sport workforces to national and international media, including print, broadcast, and digital outlets.

Featured publications