Dr Stuart Whigham

• SPOR4004 An Introduction to the Sociology of Sport
• SPOR5001 Global and Cultural Studies in Sport
• SPOR5011 Research Methods for Sport and Health Sciences
• SPOR6002 Advanced Social Theory in Sport, Coaching and Physical Education
• SPOR6008 Project / Dissertation.

I welcome enquiries from prospective postgraduate research students with interests within the field of the sociology and politics of sport, for consideration for the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology's MA/MSc by Research and MPhil/PhD research degree programmes.

MA by Research - current students

• Michal Drobny - 'Identifying hegemonic masculinity in youth ice hockey programmes and investigating its effects on male players conduct on and off the ice'
• Davina Adesanya - 'Understanding the integration and impact of EDI actions aimed at BAME coaches in sport'

MPhil/PhD - current students

• Bonita Lunn - 'Antisemitism in British football: examining good practice in anti-discrimination educational initiatives' 
• Fiyory Ghezae - 'Nonlinear pedagogy to support children in play and physical activity'
• Chris Heseltine - 'Nationalism and its symbolism within elitist sports'

MA by Research - past students

• Milly Laffey - 'Contemporary perceptions of femininity and masculinity and how these influence female athletes’ actions and behaviours'
• Rory Phibbs - 'Modern masculinities, male hockey players and their perceptions of female coaches'
• Harry Spinks - 'You can’t sit with us: habitus, capital, and socio-economic background in the established status of university sports'
• Tom Pill - 'Do women get the same opportunities in horse racing as men? A Bourdieusian study'
• Evie Kite - 'How expectations of masculinity affects young men in sport and physical activity'
• Hattie Little - 'Why do Channel Four and the British Broadcasting Company portray disability and disability sport differently? A media content and production analysis'
• Jess Young - 'Investigating media narratives of bisexual people in sport settings'
• Aafreen Zamaan - 'Examining the culture of British South Asians and its impact on sports participation'

MPhil/PhD - past students

• Foivos Papastaikoudis - 'Challenge and trauma on the talent development pathway'

Stuart's research interests revolve around the sociology and politics of sport, with a particular interest in the study of national identity, nationalism and sport; the politics of sport and sporting events; the politics of the Commonwealth Games; the sociology and politics of Scottish sport; and, sport and the Scottish diaspora.

Stuart is a Co-Lead of the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group (SEPARG) at Oxford Brookes University.

Stuart also acts as an Associate Editor for the Sport in Society journal.

Research grants and awards

• 2024 - Santander Universities Research Awards 2024; Project: 'Sport for social integration of migrants in the UK and Hungary'; Value: £1000
• 2023 - Developing Research Excellence in UoA 24 Funding Scheme, Oxford Brookes University; Project: 'Sport for social integration of migrants in the UK and Hungary'; Value: £2000
• 2022 - UK-Taiwan Critical Sport Network (joint-funded by Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, and ESRC, United Kingdom); Project: 'Sport and policy in ‘contested nations’: Analysing policy and political considerations in Taiwan and Scotland'; Value: £400
• 2017 - Santander Research Scholarship Scheme; Project: 'Sport and nationalism in Catalunya and Scotland'; Value: £1050

• Fellow of Higher Education Academy