Socio-cultural
Socio-cultural analyses of physical activity and sport constitute a fundamental dimension of Human Kinetics. Scholars in this area examine the issues, debates, and social problems associated with physical activity and sport by using theories and approaches from sociology, anthropology, history and political science. Members of this group are frequently called upon by the media to comment on and to provide advice pertaining to various social issues, including social inequalities and health, obesity and sedentary lifestyles, and sport violence and ethics.
Research areas
- The role of physical activity and sport in international development and international cooperation
- The role of sport and games in community building
- Young people’s, adults’, and elderly people’s participation in physical activity and sport
- Women, physical activity and health
- The body, inequality and health
- Indigenous people’s involvement in physical activity and sport
- Indigenous food practices and health
Members
Employment opportunities
Our graduates have found employment in many domains:
- Research (University research centres, public health agencies, organizations that promote participation in physical activity and sport)
- Sport and physical activity development at national, provincial, and local levels
- Organizations involved in injury prevention
- Communication (journalism, researcher, public relations)
- Community and social development
Leisure
Leisure Studies courses, which involve the integration of knowledge from many different disciplines, examine leisure as a social and cultural phenomenon, investigate leisure behaviour, consider the delivery and management of leisure services, and explore the ecological impacts of leisure.
Careers in Recreation and Leisure:
- Work as a leisure programmer or a program evaluator
- Work in the tourism, culture, arts, or environment/conservation industries
- Work as a policy advisor or manager for different levels of government
- Work as a leisure specialist with at-risk populations
Leisure Studies Professors
- Alexandra Arellano Indigenous studies, tourism, community development
- Audrey Giles Indigenous health, community-based research
- François Gravelle Education & psychosocial aspects of leisure
- Paul Heintzman Outdoor recreation & parks, leisure & spirituality
- George Karlis Leisure, multiculturalism & society, volunteerism
- Eileen O’Connor History of sport & medicine, experiential learning