VU researcher championing women in sport

Associate Professor Clare Hanlon is representing Australia and VU as a keynote speaker at the 18th International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women World Congress in Miami.

With one of VU's strategic focus areas to encourage females as leaders – in this case sport – participation in the event is further strengthening our position as leaders in sport.

"I'm looking forward to showcasing global research that is leading the way to change stereotypes and practices, to encourage females as leaders and participants in sport", Dr Hanlon said.

Dr Hanlon’s presentation is titled ‘The top-down approach to increase the number of females in sport: is this the best approach?’

Dr Hanlon has over 25 years’ experience in sport and specialises as an industry adviser, researcher and teacher in facilitating greater female participation in sport and physical activity. In 2016, she received the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Programs that Enhance Learning.

Her research at VU's Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL) includes the recent study Active Wear: Forecasting future trends in female consumer behaviour that indicated the trend of active wear encourages physical activity and relates to Australia’s growing health consciousness.

The congress, running from 17-21 May, and hosted by Barry University, has the theme ‘Women and Girls in Sport – Research to Action’.

Examples of topics include:

• encouraging females in sport
• group exercise as an adjunct treatment for trauma
• making sport safer
• disrupting the norms and increasing self-belief in girls and women.