Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Active living - community recreation & sport delivery
  • Building capacity of sport organisations
  • Recruitment and retention of women and girls as leaders in sport
  • Encouraging women in lifelong physical activity programs
  • Active living

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

About Clare Hanlon

Clare is the inaugural Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair. The role of the Chair is to increase the pace to advance women in sport. This will be achieved by strengthening sector alignment and collaboration, facilitating research insights to enhance decision making and advocate the career pathways for women in sport through Victoria University’s innovative curriculum design’

Clare is known for her determined pursuit of evidence, advocacy, and impact to create change and build community and organisational capacity that breaks down barriers and increases opportunities for women as leaders and participants in sport and physical activity.

Clare is continually sought to provide research and translate insights into practice. Additionally she advises international, national and state peak bodies. Evidence of her work in these areas includes: 

Clare led the evaluation of local government policies and co-initiated projects in South East Asian Regions to build capacity of sport organisations to empower women.

In 2018 in recognition of creating change, Clare was inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll and become the inaugurial Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair at Victoria University. In 2016 she was recognised as a Change our Game role model by the Victorian Minister for Sport and a chapter was dedicated to Clare in the book Oceania inspirational women: Making a difference in physical education, sport and dance.

Clare is a Director of Gymnastics Australia and of the Oceania Gymnastics Union, and is also a member on the VicHealth Physical Activity Taskforce.

Qualifications

  • PhD (Sport Management), Victoria University, Australia, 2003
  • MAppSc, Federation University, Australia, 1995
  • BEd, Federation University, Australia, 1992
  • DipTeaching (Primary), Australian Catholic University, Australia, 1988

Key publications

Year Citation
2023 Hanlon, C., Flowers, E., & Mesagno, C. (230519). Sport uniforms for girls: Insights on what girls want.
2023 Hanlon, C., Dadswell, K., & Flowers, E. (230519). Improve access to sport and active recreation people for people with disability.
2023 Hanlon, C., Apostolopoulos, V., Flowers, E., OBrien, W., & Hodge, L. (230224). A Cross-Sector Approach to Encourage Women as Leaders in Male-Dominated Industries.
2023 Hanlon, C., & Flowers, E. (230127). SWIM Jobs Victoria Evaluation Phase 1.
2022 Hanlon, C., & Flowers, E. (221215). Walking Football Program Evaluation.

Year Citation
2023 O Brien, W., Taylor, T., Hanlon, C., & Toohey, K. (230301). Exploring (Semi) Professionalization in Women s Team Sport Through a Continuum of Care Lens. Journal of Sport Management, 37(2), (129-140).

doi: 10.1123/jsm.2022-0068

2023 Thomson, A., Hayes, M., Hanlon, C., Toohey, K., & Taylor, T. (230101). Women s professional sport leagues: a systematic review and future directions for research. Sport Management Review, 26(1), (48-71).

doi: 10.1080/14413523.2022.2066391

2022 Young, J., Grant, M., & Hanlon, C. (221220). An employable graduate: Essential awareness factors to the preparation of sport management practical experiences. Industry and Higher Education, (1-10).
2022 O'Brien, W., Taylor, T., Hanlon, C., & Toohey, K. (221124). Exploring (Semi) Professionalization in Women?s Team Sport Through a Continuum of Care Lens. JOURNAL OF SPORT MANAGEMENT,

doi: 10.1123/jsm.2022

2022 Pascoe, M., Pankowiak, A., Woessner, M., Brockett, C. L., Hanlon, C., Spaaij, R., Robertson, S., McLachlan, F., & Parker, A. (221011). Gender-specific psychosocial stressors influencing mental health among women elite and semielite athletes: a narrative review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 56(23), (1381-1387).

doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105540

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

PUMA: What girls want in sport uniforms
From: PUMA SE,
Other investigators: Dr Elliott Flowers, Dr Christopher Mesagno
For period: 2022-2023
Not disclosed
A shift in attitudes towards women in visible sport leadership
From: Change our Game Research Grant Program
Other investigators: Dr Kara Dadswell
For period: 2022-2023
$20,798
Improve access to sport and active recreation for people with disability
From: Access for all abilities
Other investigators: Dr Kara Dadswell, Prof Tracy Taylor
For period: 2022-2023
$107,987
Desktop review: desktop research into girls between 5-8 years of age participating in sport (Extension work)
From: Tennis Australia
Other investigators: Dr Elliott Flowers
For period: 2022-2022
Not disclosed

Desktop reviewDesktop research into girls between 8-18 years of age participating in sport
From: Tennis Australia
Other investigators: Dr Elliott Flowers
For period: 2021-2021
Not disclosed
Building leadership capacity of women with disability to work with sport organisations to build sustainable programs that will improve access to sport for people with disability
From: Department of Social Services
Other investigators: Prof Tracy Taylor
For period: 2021-2024
$774,359

Maximising opportunities for elite female athletes who suddenly need to transition into a new career
From: Amy Gillett Foundation
Other investigators: Aspr Camilla Brockett
For period: 2020-2024
$56,000
The 2019 Women's Premiership: Experience of Players, Coaches and Managers
From: National Rugby League Research Committee
For period: 2020-2020
Not disclosed
'Making a Difference': Assessing the Evidence Base to Support Sports Recovery Project of the Australian Sports Foundation
From: Australian Sports Foundation Limited
Other investigators: Dr Bojana Klepac pogrmilovic, Prof Melinda Craike, Mr John Cooney
For period: 2020-2020
Not disclosed
To Guide Gender Equity Focused on Women as Leaders
From: Reclink Australia
For period: 2020-2020
Not disclosed

Football Federation Australia: Women in Sport Evaluation
From: Sport Australia: Move it Australia National Funding Program
Other investigators: Aspr Karen (zali) Yager
For period: 2019-2022
Not disclosed
Management of Professional Teams for Women On and Off the Field - ARCD Grant Industry Top-Up
From: Cricket Australia Grant
For period: 2019-2021
Not disclosed
VicHealth Infrastructure Locations
From: VicHealth
Other investigators: Aspr Rochelle Joyce, Ms Melanie Charity
For period: 2019-2019
Not disclosed
Women with a Disability as Leaders in Sport
From: Disability Sport and Recreation
Other investigators: Aspr Karen (zali) Yager
For period: 2019-2019
Not disclosed
Reconfiguring the "Playing Field" On and Off the Pitch - Women's Professional Sport in Australia
From: Australian Research Council - Discovery Project
Other investigators: Prof Tracy Taylor
For period: 2019-2021
$87,000
Change Our Game Champions Program
From: Victorian Govt, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Other investigators: Miss Nicola Vincent
For period: 2019-2019
Not disclosed

Gymnastics Australia: Evaluation of Samoan Project
From: Gymnastics Australia Limited
For period: 2018-2018
Not disclosed
Exit Interviews - Change Our Game Champions Program
From: Victorian Govt, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
For period: 2018-2018
Not disclosed
City of Melbourne: Investigate Options for the Provision of Exercise Opportunities for Seniors
From: City of Melbourne
For period: 2018-2018
Not disclosed

Women's participation in sport and active recreation in Melbourne' West
From: Wyndham City Council, ISEAL
Other investigators: Prof Ramon Spaaij, Dr Fiona Mclachlan, Aspr Rochelle Joyce
For period: 2017-2018
$71,772
Change Our Game Champions - Strategic and Secretariat Research Support
From: Victorian Govt, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
For period: 2017-2018
Not disclosed

Building the capacity of women to officiate and govern gymnastics
From: Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC)
Other investigators: Aspr Rochelle Joyce
For period: 2016-2018
$92,000
Building the capacity of women to officiate and govern gymnastics.
From: ISEAL, Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC)
Other investigators: Aspr Rochelle Joyce
For period: 2016-2018
$114,000

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
2 PhD Principal supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (2) Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
2 PhD Principal supervisor
1 PhD Associate supervisor
1 Masters by Research Associate supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (2) Principal supervisor
PhD (1) Associate supervisor
Masters by Research (1) Associate supervisor

Teaching activities & experience

Clare has been postgraduate coordinator of the Sport Business and Integrity program and continues to be Unit Coordinator and has taught numerous undergraduate (UG) and post graduate (PG) units including: 

Key academic roles

Dates Role Department / Organisation
Jan 2019 - Present
Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair
Victoria University
Jan 2014 - Dec 2018
Sport Management Discipline Leader
Victoria University
Jan 2012 - Nov 2012
Acting Head of School, Sport and Exercise Science
Victoria University
Jan 2011 - Jan 2012
Associate Head of School, Sport and Exercise Science
Victoria University
Jan 2000 - Dec 2009
Post Graduate Sport Business Course Coordinator
Victoria University
Jan 1996 - Dec 2000
Career and Professional Development Coordinator, Sport and Exercise Science
Victoria University
Show more academic roles
Dates Role & Department/Organisation
Jan 2019 -
Present
Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair
Victoria University
Jan 2014 -
Dec 2018
Sport Management Discipline Leader
Victoria University
Jan 2012 -
Nov 2012
Acting Head of School, Sport and Exercise Science
Victoria University
Jan 2011 -
Jan 2012
Associate Head of School, Sport and Exercise Science
Victoria University
Jan 2000 -
Dec 2009
Post Graduate Sport Business Course Coordinator
Victoria University
Jan 1996 -
Dec 2000
Career and Professional Development Coordinator, Sport and Exercise Science
Victoria University
Show more academic roles

Key industry, community & government roles

Dates Role Department/Organisation
Oct 2016 - Dec 2019
Director
Gymnastics Australia
Nov 2018 - Nov 2020
Director
Oceania Gymnastics Union
Mar 2018 - Dec 2020
Member
VicHealth Physical Activity Taskforce
Nov 2018 - Nov 2020
Member
Maribyrnong Sport Academy Advisory Group
Nov 2016 - Dec 2018
President
Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand
Nov 2016 - Nov 2018
Delegate
World Association of Sport Management
Apr 2017 - Aug 2020
Delegate
International Association of Physical Education, Sport and Dance for Girls and Women
Jan 2016 - Dec 2016
Member
Victorian Ministerial Inquiry to Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation
Dates Role & Department/Organisation
Oct 2016 - Dec 2019
Director
Gymnastics Australia
Nov 2018 - Nov 2020
Director
Oceania Gymnastics Union
Mar 2018 - Dec 2020
Member
VicHealth Physical Activity Taskforce
Nov 2018 - Nov 2020
Member
Maribyrnong Sport Academy Advisory Group
Nov 2016 - Dec 2018
President
Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand
Nov 2016 - Nov 2018
Delegate
World Association of Sport Management
Apr 2017 - Aug 2020
Delegate
International Association of Physical Education, Sport and Dance for Girls and Women
Jan 2016 - Dec 2016
Member
Victorian Ministerial Inquiry to Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation

Awards

Year Award
2018

Inductee - Victorian Honour Roll of Women (Recognition as a ‘change agent’ for women in sport) - Minister for Health

2016

Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Programs that Enhance Learning - Victoria University

Keynote and invited speeches

Year Title/Description
2018

Pressing for progress in local government: building capacity to advance women in sport.

Western Australia Parks and Leisure Association 10 June, 2018, Perth, Australia

2017

The ‘top down’ approach to increase the number of females in sport: is this the best approach?

International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women, 20-23 May, 2017, Miami, USA.

Professional memberships

  • Academic Member, Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand