Emma Quinn

Research title: Bad Blood? Menstrual pain, stigma, and mental illness in competitive sport cultures

This research builds on findings from Emma’s undergraduate and postgraduate research, and aims to broaden the focus on athletes’ experiences of menstruation beyond the impact on performance, to include wider mental health. While there is increased research focus on the physical symptoms of menstruation, athletes often emphasise the psychological impacts of menstruation over the physical. This research may have theoretical and applied implications on researcher and practitioner knowledge, sporting cultures and menstrual management in elite sport. This research is funded through an ESRC studentship.

Alongside her masters degree, Emma also completed the Open University’s graded course on supporting female performance in sport and fitness. In 2022, Emma completed a summer placement at Loughborough University working with Dr Anthony Papathomas to develop and evaluate iREAD – an immersive reading experience using pedagogically enhanced PDFs to aid the completion of university recommended reading. Emma received an Inclusivity in Teaching Innovation Award at Loughborough University’s 2022 Learning and Teaching Conference alongside Dr Papathomas for her work in this project. Emma also has applied experience, volunteering as a performance psychology support for the England Amputee Football team from 2021-2023.

• Palmer, S., & Quinn, E. (2020). 'A journey starting with Karate at 3 years old to an interest in performance anxiety and sport psychology: Stephan Palmer in conversation with Emma Quinn' Coaching Psychology International, 13(1), 45-51.