The role of transgender athletes has recently emerged as one of the most talked about topics in sport: but what are the personal stories behind these discussions, and how does academic research contribute? DMUsport would like to invite you to join them for a special event which explores this theme, combining a panel discussion, speed lectures and interviews with athletes and leading academics.
The discussion will demonstrate how we need to explore academic insights along with each athlete’s personal story if we are to understand this significant development that is affecting sport from the grassroots to the Olympic Games. The athletes on the panel will share their journeys, the challenges they have faced and how they feel sport could become more inclusive towards the transgender community.
The panel will be led by Professor Martin Polley, Director of the International Centre for Sports History and Culture (ICSHC) and Professor of History at De Montfort University (DMU). The panel members are:
Chloe Quinn, local athlete, Goalkeeper for Bedworth United Ladies
Helena Rachel Thomas, Senior Business Support Officer, LEAP Sports; hockey player, umpire and Manager of the Scotland over 35s women's team
Dr Gemma Witcomb, Senior Lecturer in Psychology; Gender and Sport mini-CDT lead, Loughborough University
Joanna Harper, author, PhD student, advisor on transgender and intersex athletes to various sporting federations including the International Olympic Committee and a former 2:23 marathon runner who is still actively running and training
Places can be booked up to 1 hour before the start of the event.
Registrants will receive a link to join the talk 2 days before the event, via their provided email address.
Please contact the DMU Events Office on eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk if you have any questions.
This event is part of #DMUpride 2021, marking LGBTQ+ History Month.
#DMUpride