LUCY PIGGOTT
“I want to develop new insights into both the challenges and solutions for making sport a more inclusive space.”
Meet Lucy Piggott, an Associate Professor in sociology of sport at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Her research is broadly focused on equality, diversity, and inclusion in and through sport, with a particular focus on the organisational context. Alongside her research, Lucy has worked with organisations and projects aiming to improve gender inclusion in sport leadership, including the Anita White Foundation (AWF), the Women's Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA), and the Women's Sport Leadership Academy for High Performance Coaches (WSLA HPC).
INCLUSIVITY IN SPORT
“Through my teaching I want to develop and inspire students - the next generation of sport coaches, teachers, and administrators - to feel able and empowered to develop more inclusive sports practices and cultures in their future careers.”
“During my PhD at the University of Chichester, I worked closely with Dr Anita White CBE who has an incredibly impressive CV. Her achievements include leading England Hockey to World Cup victory in 1975, helping set up the first Sports Studies degree course at the University of Chichester, holding senior leadership positions in the British Sports Council, and co-founding both Women in Sport and the Anita White Foundation.
Anita is a leader that puts the ladder down to support other women in their journeys. This is what she did for me in supporting and trusting me to develop experience and understanding of what it takes to create change in the still-male dominated world of sport. Her mentorship also allowed me to witness first hand what can happen when we choose courage over comfort.”
BARRIERS TO INCLUSION IN SPORT
“In sports organisations, systemic barriers are complex and multi-levelled. These barriers range from gender norms and expectations at the societal level, to formal organisational structures and practices, informal organisational norms and practices, and individual-level challenges faced by women and minority sport leaders. I believe that gender inclusion measures have to mirror the multi-levelness of these challenges which isn't currently being achieved due to the lack of focus on organisational culture.”
“Through my research, I want to develop new insights into both the challenges and solutions for making sport a more inclusive space. By working with practitioners and activists, I want to find effective ways to implement research findings and recommendations to real world sporting contexts.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF A NETWORK
“Having good people around you is my biggest piece of advice. I would never have developed to my current position without a network of people to learn from, gain support from, be advocated by, and feel inspired by. Having support networks across different sectors, countries, cultures, and social groups also really helps to both broaden and deepen your perspectives and ideas around how things can and should be done.”
