In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi talks with sport ecologist and author Dr. Madeleine Orr—founder of the Sport Ecology Group and lead author of the UN’s Sport for Nature report—about how sport is both impacted by and contributing to climate change. They discuss the science behind sport disruptions, the limits of current adaptation strategies, and why reimagining major sporting events is key to meaningful climate action across all levels of sport.
Topics Covered:
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi and Anna Goorevich speak with Dr. Sarah Zipp, a global leader in sport, gender, and menstrual health. They discuss how her research and collaboration with the Tucker Center led to the development of two new Coaching HER® modules on menstrual health.
Topics covered include:
Follow the work of Dr. Zipp at PowerToPlayPeriod.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi speaks with Dr. Julie McCleery, Co-Director of the UW Center for Leadership in Athletics, about her impactful translational research and advocacy work. Together, they explore how applied scholarship and coach education can drive meaningful change for girls and women in sport.
Topics covered include:• What coaching behaviors best support positive youth sport experiences?• How do gendered expectations and male-dominated systems affect women coaches?• What do elite female athletes say they need from sport science research?
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi speaks with Dr. Alix Krahn about her feminist sport scholarship examining how gender shapes the professional and emotional labor of women coaches. They discuss power, time, burnout, and the challenges coaches face navigating relational boundaries and organizational expectations.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi and Anna Goorevich talk with Angela Bruzina, a registered dietitian and certified sports nutritionist, currently serving as the team dietitian for Bay FC in the NWSL. They discuss Bruzina’s career journey from working in MLS to advancing female athlete health, her PhD research at the University of Minnesota on metabolic responses to injury, and her insights into strategies for addressing RED-S in women’s team sports.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi reconnects with Dr. Erin Morris, Associate Professor at SUNY Cortland, to discuss her research on the professionalization of women’s ice hockey, how women access and navigate sport spaces, and the origin story of the Tucker Center summer internship. Dr. Morris also shares her experience navigating the pressures of publishing and teaching, and why she values staying grounded in meaningful research.
Join Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi as she discusses with Dr. Jo Line their transformative concept of co-action in sports teams. This episode covers how Dr. Line’s research and practical applications challenge traditional leadership models, aiming to cultivate equity and collaboration within sports teams.
Dr. Jo Line Website (Link) & Hiram College Profile (Link)
Athlete Ally (Link)
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi engages Dr. Erica Tibbetts and her student Anna Gunning from Smith College. They explore how sports can serve as a powerful medium for social change and inclusivity, particularly focusing on their joint research into the media portrayal of trans athletes and its implications for policy and public perception.
Join Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi as she engages with Dr. Kat Schneider from the Centre for Appearance Research to delve into her specialized work on body image, weight bias, and weight stigma in sports. In this insightful discussion, they highlight Dr. Schneider's applied research, which is conducted with both academic and industry partners to enhance inclusivity and support within sports environments. The episode also focuses on their collaborative project, Body Confident Sport, and its offshoot, Body Confident Coaches—a free digital tool designed to empower coaches. They discuss the development and impact of these initiatives, showcasing how they help foster healthier, more inclusive sports settings.
Find out more by visiting the Centre for Appearance Research and bodyconfidentsport.com
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi talks with Dr. AJ Keaton about her groundbreaking research at the intersection of race, gender, and sports management. They delve into how Dr. Keaton's work is reshaping organizational behavior and media portrayals to foster more inclusive and equitable sports environments.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi speaks with Dr. Vikki Krane, noted for her groundbreaking application of feminist theories in sport psychology. The discussion focuses on Dr. Krane’s vital research regarding gender, sexuality, and the portrayal of queer, trans, and non-binary athletes in the sports arena. They examine how Dr. Krane’s academic contributions have not only highlighted these frequently marginalized identities but have also questioned the ingrained norms of sports culture, promoting a more inclusive and equitable sporting landscape.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks,Dr. Nicole M. LaVoisits down withPam Baker, Founder of the Women’s Coaching Alliance, to discuss her initiatives that empower young girls to pursue coaching careers and develop essential life skills. They delve into how Baker’s leadership not only breaks barriers in sports but also cultivates future leaders by creating opportunities for women in the industry.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. LaVoi speaks with Dr. Brett Ball about her journey from Division I basketball to studying the intersection of health, media, and black female athletes. They discuss how Dr. Ball’s research aims to illuminate the often overlooked mental health issues within this demographic and the potential for positive change through informed media narratives.
Be sure to check out Project EAT (Eating and Activity over Time), a body of research that examines a broad spectrum of weight-related problems among diverse young people across the life course from adolescence to adulthood.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi and Anna Goorevich interview Dr. Lauren Hindman about her research on sexism and racism within sports management. They discuss how these biases manifest and impact hiring and leadership opportunities, reflecting on the cultural barriers perpetuating inequality in sports organizations.
Tune into Tucker Center Talks as Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi speaks with Tapiwa Masunga, Development Officer - Southern Africa at the International Tennis Federation. Discover the initiatives Tapiwa is leading to enhance women’s roles in tennis, focusing on high-performance opportunities. Delve into the significant impact of her work in Southern Africa, exploring how her efforts are breaking barriers and fostering an inclusive environment that champions female athletes and leaders in the sport.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi and Anna Goorevich engage in a compelling conversation with Dr. Risa Isard about her research on media bias in the WNBA. Dr. Isard uncovers how disparities in coverage highlight deeper systemic inequities and the interconnected nature of athlete identities. The discussion sheds light on the media’s influence in shaping perceptions of women’s sports and explores critical themes such as intersectionality and allyship. Together, they reflect on how data-driven research can amplify the voices of marginalized athletes and advance meaningful change in women's sports.
Tucker Center Talks, hosted by Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi, Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota, features interviews and discussions on timely critiques, the latest research, and dialogue around girls and women in sport.
In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi talks with Dr. Erin Ayala, a sport psychologist and founder of SKADI Sport Psychology. They discuss her work with women and non-binary athletes, tackling issues from performance anxiety to self-criticism. Dr. Ayala also shares insights from her research on microaggressions in sports. Tune in to hear how her innovative practices are enhancing mental health and promoting equity in athletics.
In this episode, TC Director Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi sits down with the DisruptHERS—Drs. Dunja Antunovic, Katie Lebel, Nancy Lough, Ceyda Mumcu, and Ann Pegoraro. Together, they reflect on new disruptions since the release of their 2022 thought piece, "DisruptHERS: Driving a new model of women’s sport." Listen as they share updates on their current research and their perspectives on what the future holds for women in sports and how they can continue to drive change.
In this episode, TC Director Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi chats with Dr. Meg Hancock, an associate professor from the Department of Health & Sport Sciences at the University of Louisville, about The Pipeline Project. This new initiative studies the state of women in intercollegiate athletic administration, aiming to boost diversity and inclusion within sports organizations. Dr. Hancock, who is passionate about gender and diversity in the workplace, shares insights from the project, which parallels our own work with the women in college coaching report card. Tune in to explore how this vital research is paving the way for more inclusive sports communities. Don't forget to download the report at: the-pipeline-project.org.