Thoughts and Ideas
This section is a space for me to consider issues within society and contemporary culture.
Here, I’ll introduce and further develop ideas I like to work with, explain and expand on issues that stem from previous projects, as well as consider immersive research and developing practices.
Study a PhD with Dr. Christopher R. Matthews
I specialise in conducting and supervising immersive research, but I’m keen to discuss various projects and research methods with prospective students as well.
Academic Chatter with Dr. James Steele
James is an Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at Solent University. In this video, we talk about teaching research methods, learning to teach using minimal preparation and what it means to try to take control of your career.
Immersion in action research with Dr. Cathy van Ingen
I’ve relied on Cathy’s work in my teaching and publications so, I wanted to explore two main issues with her. Firstly, how Cathy maintains the scientific basis of her work while acknowledging that it has an ideological basis. And secondly, to discuss some of the challenging stories that come from doing 13+ years of conducting research with people who have suffered some form of trauma.
Getting inside the steroid industry with Dr. Luke Turnock
In building an immersive research strategy, based on his existing personal contacts within a powerlifting community, Luke was able to gain access to information about the underground production of steroids.
Concussion activism and immersion with Peter Robinson
This is a somewhat different take on immersive research. Peter is an activist and campaigner who has spent years trying to raise awareness and change policy in relation to concussion in sport. I wanted to speak to him to highlight his important message but also to demonstrate how experiences can drive our understanding of a topic.
Immersion in social change with Dr. Megan Chawansky
Megan is a researcher, lecturer and activist based at Otterbein University. Her work focuses on the ways sport can be used to help change society in positive ways. She’s been involved in some incredible projects with really challenging sets of culture and interpersonal dynamics.
Immersion in male dominated spaces with Dr. Emma Poulton
Emma is an Associate Professor at Durham University. She’s published widely on areas of social science including national identity, racism, media representations of football fan culture and hooliganism.
How do we explain athlete abuse with Dr. Natalie Barker-Ruchti
Natalie has been immersed in gymnastics since she was a child. She’s used her detailed knowledge of the sport to help explore issues around abuse in the sport. We talk about the methodological strengths and weaknesses that come with being a cultural insider.
Study skills with Dr. David Hindley: First year undergraduate success
Here’s the latest study skills chat with my colleague Dr. David Hindley. David is a Principal Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University with over two decades of experience teaching in HE. He’s supported students in various ways for this time and specialises in developing innovative teaching strategies.
Exploring drugs and doping with Dr. Paul Dimeo
Paul is a Reader at the University of Stirling and he’s a leader in the field of drug use in sport. Here, we discuss a bunch of issues connected to drug use, doping regulations and various logical inconsistencies regarding the ‘war on drugs’. We explore a range of examples and compare how drug use and users were, and are treated in very different ways to what has become normalised in the world of elite, and now sub-elite sport.
Synthesising theory with Dr. Alex Channon
Dr. Alex Channon of the University of Brighton and I talk through key ideas in the sociology of deviancy in sport. The goal was to outline the importance of theoretical synthesis, or as I term it; ‘bringing academic ideas together’ in order to frame our understanding of complex social issues.
OPD interview with Joe Jeffrey and Austin Stout
This is a recording of my appearance on the OPD (Optimal Physique Development) podcast with Joe Jeffrey and Austin Stout. We discussed critical thinking, social science, subcultures, performance enhancing, strength sports and bodybuilding.
Immersion in performance sport with Dr. Alex Culvin: Some findings from women’s football and men’s boxing
I was lucky enough to have Dr. Alex Culvin speak to me about her research in professional women’s football. Her career at the top end of the sport has resulted in her having fantastic access to elite players at a key time for the sport, so we consider how shared experiences can be a great way of gaining insight during interviews.
Getting immersed in football with Dr. Geoff Pearson
In this video I chat with Geoff Pearson from Manchester University about his ethnographic work in football. We cover a bunch of topics that will be useful if you’re considering doing similar work.
StromCast interview: Why do we do the stupid things we do?
Here’s a fun podcast I did with Rick Foster from Strom Sports Nutrition. Rick and I have had a bunch of conversations about this sort of stuff in the past so the podcast is pretty informal, and sometimes the language gets a little bit ‘lively’ especially when I start telling stories about gym culture.
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