Dr Tom Forsell

Tom’s research focus is on the topic of social capital, and how it relates to inclusion and social connections. Over the past years he focused on measuring social capital in social networks (clubs). This provided a better understanding of the social, and wellbeing benefits of social connections examined in a recreation and sport context. His research specifically, centres on his social capital scale he developed and validated, through the measurement of people in leisure clubs.

His research aims at developing a pedagogical model for good social networks, incorporating social capital components such as trust, reciprocity and others. The intent is to use leisure networks as a vehicle for developing good quality social networks incorporating these social capital components. Further research will measure social capital in leisure networks compared to those in the general community. Social capital measurement of networks will provide direction for model social networks which theoretically would grow and be of significant interest to government institutions.

Tom’s teaching is in the area of recreation and sport inclusion, community development and program theory and development.

Tom completed a PhD at Victoria University in 2014. His research explored social capital in grassroots leisure recreation and sport clubs in Victoria in a qualitative study. He developed social capital scale items, applied a rigorous reduction, trial and validation process which eventuated in his Club Social Capital Scale (CSCS).

Tom joined VU as a lecturer in 2009, and teaches in a range of units in Sport and Exercise Science. Prior to joining VU, he completed his Master of Science-Leisure Studies Management at Texas Tech and conducted research in coach attitude and its effect on sport and recreation participation in youth. He has worked in local government, as an events manager at RMIT, and at Sport and Recreation Victoria in a number of areas.

Tom is an early researcher and published a review of Non Profit Disability Service and articles in Leisure Sciences. His CSCS is receiving significant interest in universities overseas and is currently being translated. He has attended and delivered a number of papers and presentations at leisure studies conferences in Europe, Africa and in the Pacific.

Tom has supervised honours students and is interested in co-supervising postgraduate students who have a passion for sport and recreation management, social capital and community inclusion.