Female Sports Fandom in the North East:A Historical Study of Female Fandom & the Critical Intersections Between Sports Spectatorship and Participation
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Sport and Exercise Sciences
Abstract
Sport has played an important part in the lives of British people for centuries and millions of people have been involved in sport as fans. Yet surprising little is known about women's experiences as sports fans historically, so there is an urgent need for research to address this before such memories and experiences are entirely lost to time. Barely any studies have examined the intersections between playing and watching sport and so there is a need for research to examine women's early sporting experiences and how these shape their future involvement in sport and to examine female fans involvement in sport across their lifetimes. Little work has examined the cross sport perceptions of fans of men's football and rugby union in order to consider the extent to which sporting preferences and cross sport perceptions are linked to historical social class differences. This proposed research will make a major contribution towards addressing these areas, making a highly original and important contribution to knowledge.
The research will build on Pope's (2010) original study through a comparative study of female fans of men's and women's sports in the North East of England. We draw on four sports' clubs from the county of Tyne and Wear: men's football (Newcastle United FC); men's rugby (Newcastle Falcons); women's football (Sunderland AFC Ladies) and women's netball (Team Northumbria). Arguably, the North East has historically been more male-dominated than other areas of England, thus providing a fascinating landscape to explore women's experiences as sports fans and how women have gained access to the traditionally male domain of sport across the generations. The research aims to examine women's experiences as sports fans in Britain during the second half of the twentieth century. It will also focus upon the critical intersections between sports participation and fandom and will examine how women's early sporting experiences influence their future involvement in sport. The study will focus upon the cross sport perceptions of supporters and the role of historical social class differences in sporting preferences. The research aims to address the following questions:
1. What have been the experiences of female fans of men's and women's sports from 1945-2000? What role has sports fandom played in the lives of female fans across their lifetimes?
2. To what extent is there a relationship between playing and watching sport for female fans? What is the role of physical education and other early sporting experiences in shaping females' future involvement in sport?
3. How do female fans view other sports in the local region? To what extent has sports fandom historically been important for community heritage and local identities?
We will achieve these aims by conducting approximately 25 life-history interviews with female fans from our four selected sports clubs, which will mean around 100 respondents in total. Respondents will also be asked if they have any visual images of their involvement in sport and copies will be taken where permission is granted. The research draws on a feminist framework to study sports history and will make a major contribution to the fields of history and sport. As the research draws on an interdisciplinary approach it will also be of interest to researchers working in gender studies, physical education, sociology, popular culture and regional studies. We will publish a research monograph from the research, along with a number of journal papers. Academic conferences will be organised in the UK and with our project partner at the University of British Columbia in Canada to disseminate findings. The research will be beneficial for: charities such as the National Football Museum and Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation; the general public; governing bodies of sport; the selected sports clubs and national government departments. We have planned a series of events to ensure that this wider impact is achieved.
The research will build on Pope's (2010) original study through a comparative study of female fans of men's and women's sports in the North East of England. We draw on four sports' clubs from the county of Tyne and Wear: men's football (Newcastle United FC); men's rugby (Newcastle Falcons); women's football (Sunderland AFC Ladies) and women's netball (Team Northumbria). Arguably, the North East has historically been more male-dominated than other areas of England, thus providing a fascinating landscape to explore women's experiences as sports fans and how women have gained access to the traditionally male domain of sport across the generations. The research aims to examine women's experiences as sports fans in Britain during the second half of the twentieth century. It will also focus upon the critical intersections between sports participation and fandom and will examine how women's early sporting experiences influence their future involvement in sport. The study will focus upon the cross sport perceptions of supporters and the role of historical social class differences in sporting preferences. The research aims to address the following questions:
1. What have been the experiences of female fans of men's and women's sports from 1945-2000? What role has sports fandom played in the lives of female fans across their lifetimes?
2. To what extent is there a relationship between playing and watching sport for female fans? What is the role of physical education and other early sporting experiences in shaping females' future involvement in sport?
3. How do female fans view other sports in the local region? To what extent has sports fandom historically been important for community heritage and local identities?
We will achieve these aims by conducting approximately 25 life-history interviews with female fans from our four selected sports clubs, which will mean around 100 respondents in total. Respondents will also be asked if they have any visual images of their involvement in sport and copies will be taken where permission is granted. The research draws on a feminist framework to study sports history and will make a major contribution to the fields of history and sport. As the research draws on an interdisciplinary approach it will also be of interest to researchers working in gender studies, physical education, sociology, popular culture and regional studies. We will publish a research monograph from the research, along with a number of journal papers. Academic conferences will be organised in the UK and with our project partner at the University of British Columbia in Canada to disseminate findings. The research will be beneficial for: charities such as the National Football Museum and Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation; the general public; governing bodies of sport; the selected sports clubs and national government departments. We have planned a series of events to ensure that this wider impact is achieved.
Planned Impact
We have overviewed the key non-academic constituencies that will benefit from this research and how they will benefit, evidencing that the research offers the potential to contribute to the nation's health, wealth and culture.
1) Beneficiaries of the research will include the third sector. We have excellent links with the National Football Museum and this charity has already expressed an interest in the research. The exhibition that we will develop from the research (see Pathways to Impact) will be of interest to the wider public, thus generating cultural benefits. This may increase the number of visitors to the museum which could lead to financial benefits for the museum and local economy. We will work with the education team at the National Football Museum to provide research materials to be used in their educational work with schools. We will also explore the possibility of working with other museums to develop further public exhibitions, such as the World Rugby Museum.
2) Our focus upon females' participation in sport will be highly useful for charities such as the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (which aims to help Britain's women to become more active) and the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (which aims to promote the interests of females in physical education and sport) and we will disseminate research findings to these bodies.
3) The research will be beneficial for governing bodies of sport, including the Football Association, Rugby Football Union and England Netball Association, along with agencies such as Sport England and UK Sport. The findings will be useful for the case study clubs used in the research: Newcastle United FC (men's); Sunderland AFC (women's); Newcastle Falcons and Team Northumbria. Key recommendations from the study will be useful for clubs and governing bodies to improve conditions for women to participate in their sports as players and fans, thus contributing towards enhancing women's quality of life.
4) The research will inform and benefit national government departments and has the potential to influence public policies and legislation. Data has shown that the North East has the lowest percentage of people participating in sport in England (Sport England, 2015), making this an important region for our research to focus upon. By examining women's experiences of sport, our research hopes to contribute towards increasing the numbers of females who are physically active across the life cycle, thus helping to enhance the quality of life, health and well-being for females in the UK. The research could be used to inform future policies for the Department of Health and Public Health England to address female physical inactivity. This outcome may in turn generate economic benefits. Physical inactivity is now estimated to cost the UK economy £8.2 billion annually (Public Health England, 2015). The research would also be beneficial for the Department of Education. By examining the role of physical education in shaping females' future involvement in sport the research is likely to lead to key policy recommendations for the Physical Education National Curriculum in England to improve female experiences of physical education.
5) We will contribute to increasing public awareness and understanding of issues connected to our research by generating press releases at regular intervals which will be of interest to the media. This would be supported by media communications officers at our institutions.
Other beneficiaries and research impacts are likely to develop as the research progresses. We will contact relevant stakeholders in year one of the project to plan the application and exploitation of the research, although many of the benefits of the project will be realised in the final year when findings are available to disseminate. The impact of the research will continue beyond the life of the project as the findings are utilised by our beneficiaries.
1) Beneficiaries of the research will include the third sector. We have excellent links with the National Football Museum and this charity has already expressed an interest in the research. The exhibition that we will develop from the research (see Pathways to Impact) will be of interest to the wider public, thus generating cultural benefits. This may increase the number of visitors to the museum which could lead to financial benefits for the museum and local economy. We will work with the education team at the National Football Museum to provide research materials to be used in their educational work with schools. We will also explore the possibility of working with other museums to develop further public exhibitions, such as the World Rugby Museum.
2) Our focus upon females' participation in sport will be highly useful for charities such as the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (which aims to help Britain's women to become more active) and the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (which aims to promote the interests of females in physical education and sport) and we will disseminate research findings to these bodies.
3) The research will be beneficial for governing bodies of sport, including the Football Association, Rugby Football Union and England Netball Association, along with agencies such as Sport England and UK Sport. The findings will be useful for the case study clubs used in the research: Newcastle United FC (men's); Sunderland AFC (women's); Newcastle Falcons and Team Northumbria. Key recommendations from the study will be useful for clubs and governing bodies to improve conditions for women to participate in their sports as players and fans, thus contributing towards enhancing women's quality of life.
4) The research will inform and benefit national government departments and has the potential to influence public policies and legislation. Data has shown that the North East has the lowest percentage of people participating in sport in England (Sport England, 2015), making this an important region for our research to focus upon. By examining women's experiences of sport, our research hopes to contribute towards increasing the numbers of females who are physically active across the life cycle, thus helping to enhance the quality of life, health and well-being for females in the UK. The research could be used to inform future policies for the Department of Health and Public Health England to address female physical inactivity. This outcome may in turn generate economic benefits. Physical inactivity is now estimated to cost the UK economy £8.2 billion annually (Public Health England, 2015). The research would also be beneficial for the Department of Education. By examining the role of physical education in shaping females' future involvement in sport the research is likely to lead to key policy recommendations for the Physical Education National Curriculum in England to improve female experiences of physical education.
5) We will contribute to increasing public awareness and understanding of issues connected to our research by generating press releases at regular intervals which will be of interest to the media. This would be supported by media communications officers at our institutions.
Other beneficiaries and research impacts are likely to develop as the research progresses. We will contact relevant stakeholders in year one of the project to plan the application and exploitation of the research, although many of the benefits of the project will be realised in the final year when findings are available to disseminate. The impact of the research will continue beyond the life of the project as the findings are utilised by our beneficiaries.
People |
ORCID iD |
Stacey Pope (Principal Investigator) | |
David Kirk (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Allison R
(2024)
'They are doing it because they love it': U.S. and English fan perceptions of women footballers as 'role models'
in Sport in Society
Allison R
(2022)
Becoming Fans: Socialization and Motivations of Fans of the England and U.S. Women's National Football Teams
in Sociology of Sport Journal
Clarkson B
(2022)
An institutional analysis of gender (in)equalities, COVID-19 and governance of elite women's football in Australia, England and the USA
in Sport, Business and Management: An International Journal
Clarkson B
(2020)
Covid-19: Reflections on threat and uncertainty for the future of elite women's football in England
in Managing Sport and Leisure
Cleland J
(2020)
"I Do Worry That Football Will Become Over-Feminized": Ambiguities in Fan Reflections on the Gender Order in Men's Professional Football in the United Kingdom
in Sociology of Sport Journal
Culvin A
(2021)
The price of success: Equal Pay and the US Women's National Soccer Team
in Soccer & Society
Gemar A
(2021)
Women's consumption of men's professional sport in Canada: Evidence of the 'feminization' of sports fandom and women as omnivorous sports consumers?
in International Review for the Sociology of Sport
Hockin-Boyers H
(2020)
#gainingweightiscool: the use of transformation photos on Instagram among female weightlifters in recovery from eating disorders
in Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health
Hockin-Boyers H
(2020)
Digital pruning: Agency and social media use as a personal political project among female weightlifters in recovery from eating disorders
in New Media & Society
Description | Outputs from this award are ongoing and will be updated in subsequent years. However, below I have offered a brief summary of what has been achieved so far, based on the data collected and 13 academic outputs currently attributed to the award. The research has focused upon women and football fandom. The final case study sports that were focused upon were: fans of men's football (using Newcastle United as a case study club) and fans of women's football (using the England and US women's national teams as the case study focus). This allowed the researchers to collect high quality data focused upon a major international women's sporting event (the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup). The final dataset has included life-history interviews, online qualitative surveys, media content analysis work and archival work. The research is contributing significant new knowledge in a number of areas: 1) Revealing the hidden history of women football fans who have attended matches from the 1950s onwards. The data collection has included 50 life-history interviews with fans of the Newcastle United men's team. 2) International women's football fandom (England and the USA). The data collection has included 102 interviews with fans of the England and USA women's national teams. 3) Changes in media coverage of women's football and women's sport. The data collection has included a media analysis of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup which was the first study to examine how the UK has entered a 'new age' of media coverage. Data collection has also involved a media analysis of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. 4) Examining how men are responding to the recent increased media visibility of women in sport and how misogynistic attitudes have dominated, drawing on 1,950 responses to an online qualitative survey. 5) Examining issues of gender, sport and inequality more widely, including: inequalities in responses to Covid-19; women in leadership roles in men's football over the past 30 years; and women in the male-dominated sport of weightlifting. |
Exploitation Route | The report has been influencing the national conversation in relation to the extent of misogyny in British society and what can be done to address this. A press release about the project had potential media reach of 1.8 billion, evidencing how this is being used by the wider public and media. Further details are available here: https://canvas.vuelio.co.uk/5047/study-reveals-misogynistic-attitudes-towards-womens-sport/view This work has also been used by politicians and is being discussed in Parliament: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2022-01-26b.400.0 I have also been invited to work with various organisations to discuss past and present inequalities for women football fans and ways to tackle sexism and misogyny. This impact work is ongoing. I was invited to co-author a report for Fair Game entitled: The Gender Divide That Fails Football's Bottom Line: The Commercial Case for Gender Equality. I am developing additional work to share with organisations based on my work on women fans. |
Sectors | Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism |
Description | My findings have been used to influence the national conversation about misogynistic attitudes towards women and what needs to change in this area to improve women's lives. A paper I led was published based on findings from this AHRC project in January 2022. The research found that openly misogynistic attitudes towards women's sport are common among male football fans, regardless of age. The study was based on a survey of 1,950 male football fans on UK football fan message boards. Progressive attitudes among men were also strongly represented but were not as common as hostile and sexist attitudes. This had potential media reach of 1.8 billion. Profile Highlights: Story covered by more than 450 media outlets Outlets include: Guardian, Daily Mail, Irish Times, Sky News, The Sun, Independent, Mirror, Metro, Times Radio, TalkSport Featured on online front pages of The Guardian and Sky Sports News Pick up by the Press Association resulting in coverage in 150+ UK regional papers Sky Sports News interview clip viewed 101K times Evidence story was being talked about on football fan message boards Story shared widely on Twitter including by some high profile social media accounts, such as Sharron Davies MBE (Olympian - 72K followers), Kelly Cates (Sky Sports presenter - 152K followers), Women's Sport Trust (43K followers), Sky News (9.9M followers), Guardian Sport (880K followers), Fawcett Society (67K followers), Football JOE (413K followers) Media commentary by former professional players, including former Irish international, Karen Duggan, and former Scottish international, Gemma Fay Impact: Widespread media coverage, resulting in profile for the Department and the University Profile has opened up conversations with organisations and charities about possible collaborations and policy work, such as the Football Supporters' Association, Her Game Too and Sky Sports A number of requests to give talks Positive feedback from within the internal and external academic community, and from the Executive Chair at AHRC The research was also discussed in Parliament. 2022-2023 Updates In October 2022 I submitted written evidence to the DCMS Committee "safety at major sporting events" Inquiry. This resulted in being invited to present at the DCMS inquiry. I was also invited to present this work to the Women and Equalities Committee in November 2022. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | AHRC Research Discussed in Parliament in a debate on 26th January at Westminster Hall on Women's Football |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2022-01-26b.400.0 |
Description | Co-authored Report for Fair Game |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
URL | https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6047aabc7130e94a70ed3515/t/6225fcd351786a64ba4421b0/164665673... |
Description | Contributed to DCMS Standing at Football Evidence Review |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/standing-at-football-evidence-review-report |
Description | Contribution to Report - Independent Review into Women's Football |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/raising-the-bar-reframing-the-opportunity-in-womens-footb... |
Description | DCMS Safety at Major Sporting Events |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmcumeds/174/report.html |
Description | DCMS Written Evidence and Participation in Safety at Major Sporting Events Inquiry |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/11404/pdf/ |
Description | Invited to be member of advisory board for Sports Grounds Safety Authority |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
Description | Invited to contribute to the DCMS Women's Sport Committee |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/13621/pdf/ |
Description | Invited to present at the Women and Equalities Committee on Sexism in Football |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/event/14558/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/ |
Description | QR Strategic Priorities Funding Competition: Impact and Policy Engagement, Durham University Internal Competition |
Amount | £27,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Durham University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2020 |
End | 04/2020 |
Description | Research Impact Fund |
Amount | £12,370 (GBP) |
Organisation | Durham University |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2022 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | AHRC Press Release |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press release on AHRC website to discuss research findings to date on AHRC grant and future research plans. This helped to generate interest in the research from other media outlets during the FIFA Women's World Cup. The press release was also included as a feature on the Football Collective website, |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://ahrc.ukri.org/research/readwatchlisten/features/a-new-age-for-womens-football/ |
Description | Article Published in the Chronicle about AHRC Research project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview with journalist at the Chronicle newspaper about AHRC research project. Published on a two page double spread in the print version of the newspaper and also online. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/newcastle-united-1950s-calling-women-16023032 |
Description | Article for the Football Collective website - 'Sexy' Women and the Men's World Cup |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Wrote an article as a Q&A on 'Sexy' Women and the Men's World Cup: (Mis)representations of Female Football Fans. This was promoted by the Football Collective website and widely shared through social media. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://footballcollective.org.uk/2018/06/28/sexy-women-and-the-mens-world-cup-misrepresentations-of... |
Description | British Society of Sports History annual conference 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Around 50 academics attended a presentation delivered by the investigators Dr. Stacey Pope and Prof. David Kirk about the AHRC project. This led to a number of questions and discussion afterwards. Feedback and ideas were subsequently incorporated into the plans for the research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Euros News Interview Covid-19 and Impact on Women's Football |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Euronews Interviews 2020: On 11 June 2020 I was interviewed by Euronews about my research on Covid-19 and the impact on women's football. This was published in Italian, Spanish and French. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://es.euronews.com/2020/06/11/el-futbol-europeo-post-covid-vuelven-las-ligas-europeas-masculina... |
Description | International news Interview - L'Equipe |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview with L'Equipe newspaper in France about women's European championships. Published as two page spread. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Interview about research in international newspaper (South China Morning Post) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Quoted in an article entailed 'The not-so-beautiful game: How the FA stifled women's football for 5 years and paved the way for today's vast gender gap'. I discussed my views linked to my AHRC research in gender and sport. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/2179279/not-so-beautiful-game-how-fa-stifled-womens-foot... |
Description | Interview for International News (Euronews) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed by Euronews about AHRC research on media coverage of the Women's World Cup. Interview was first broadcast during Breakfast news at 8am and repeated throughout the day. Also made available on website. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/10/media-coverage-of-women-s-sport-entering-new-age-during-2019-wom... |
Description | Interview for International websites - BBC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 2 July 2019 I was interviewed by BBC World Service about my research on the differences between men's and women's football cultures and the impact on players 'coming out'. This was translated for BBC platforms in Turkey, China and Swahili (parts of Africa). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-dunya-48845602 |
Description | Interview for National News |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On June 5th 2020 my research featured in the i newspaper in an article entitled: ''It could be catastrophic': Women's football faces an uncertain path out of the coronavirus crisis'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/womens-football/womens-football-future-coronavirus-hope-powell-43... |
Description | Interview for National News - The i Newspaper |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview for the I Newspaper about AHRC project entitled: Women are getting more airtime than ever in men's football but abuse takes its toll'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/euro-2020-commentators-female-pundits-football-abuse-sexism-sue-s... |
Description | Interview for Radio Station - Metro |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 2 July 2019 I did a live interview with Metro radon station to discuss my AHRC research on fans of women's football |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Interview for Sky Sports News |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I featured in an interview for Sky Sports News discussing my research on the impact of rivalry on supporters' lives. This was televised across in the build up to and across the weekend as part of a 'Sporting Rivalry' weekend (where Sky Sports were televising a number of men's football matches which were against rivals). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Interview for international news |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview given to Al Jazeera about work on football fans. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2021/5/4/is-this-the-tipping-point-for-football-fan-power |
Description | Interview for international news - L'Equipe |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 19th June 2019 2019 my research was quoted in an interview for the French national newspaper L'Equipe. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Interview for magazine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 1 August 2019 my research featured at length in an article for Urheilulehti. This is Finland's biggest weekly sports magazine with 200,000 readers. The article discusses my research findings on women and fan rivalry and was published to coincide with the start of the Premier League season. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Interview for magazine - Dazed |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 19th June 2019 my research featured in the fashion and cultural magazine Dazed in an article entitled 'Let's not Forget: Women's Football is Still an Act of Resistance'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/44934/1/womens-world-cup-football-act-of-resistanc... |
Description | Interview for national news - The Times |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview for The Times. Article title Legacy of the Lionesses. Published shortly after the European Championships. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/legacy-of-the-lionesses-will-they-get-more-girls-into-sport-tqls7... |
Description | Interview for national news - The i |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview for I news on When women's football was bigger than the men's |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/womens-football-bigger-than-mens-game-england-banned-fa-1767472?... |
Description | Interview for national news - the i |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interview for the i national newspaper about research - what men's football fans have to learn from followers of the women's game. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://inews.co.uk/news/long-reads/euro-2022-mens-football-fans-learn-from-womens-1765124 |
Description | Interview for national news - the i paper |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 1 July 2019 my research was quoted in an article in the i paper entitled 'Why Can't a Male Footballer be a Gay Icon Like the Mighty Megan Rapinoe'. The online article was published on 30 June 2019. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/womens-football/gay-footballers-womens-world-cup-male-men-why-non... |
Description | Interview for national newspaper |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Selected to be interviewed about AHRC funded project when I was presenting findings at an academic conference taking place at Edinburgh (British Society of Sports History). The research received coverage in Scotland's national newspaper The Herald. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14722006.Sex__money_and_scandal_____the_lives_of_Scotland__39_s_f... |
Description | Launched website on women football fans in the 1950s |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Launched a new website to showcase the AHRC research on Women Football Fans in the 1950s: https://womenfootballfans.org |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://womenfootballfans.org |
Description | Media Press Release - Women Football Fans and Sexism Report - Potential Reach 137 million |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | See report: https://canvas.vuelio.co.uk/5047/report-calls-on-mens-professional-football-clubs-to-tackle-sexism/view Worked with marketing and communications team on a media press release to coincide with the launch of a new report linked to my AHRC award, entitled Women and Football Fandom: Reducing Sexism and Misogyny in Men's Football and Expanding the Fanbase of Girls and Women. This press release had potential media reach of 137 million. It was widely covered across a number of news channels e.g. BBC News Channel, BBC Look North and Radio 4 Woman's Hour. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://canvas.vuelio.co.uk/5047/report-calls-on-mens-professional-football-clubs-to-tackle-sexism/v... |
Description | National Interview BBC Four Women's Hour |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Interviewed on BBC Radio Four Woman's Hour. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001h4c2 |
Description | Organised an International Symposium on Football Fandom, Women and Inequalities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | I organised an International Symposium on Football Fandom, Women and Inequalities on 10th March 2022, to celebrate the week of International Women's Day. I invited speakers from the UK, Australian Chile, Poland, the US and Canada. A main purpose of the event was to showcase some of the research findings from the AHRC project. So I also led a session entitled 'An AHRC Project on Football Fandom, Women and Inequalities'. The event had over 100 people registered from all around the world. It led to new networks and collaborations. It may be the first conference on women and football fandom and may prompt other events in future years. I am sharing details of those who registered with everyone who participated so explore the possibility of setting up a network for those with an interest in the topic. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/events/an-international-symposium-on-football-fandom-women-and-... |
Description | Podcast - Now and Men |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Podcast for Now and Men on Building Gender Equality in Football |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://now-and-men.captivate.fm/episode/stacey-pope |
Description | Podcast for the Football Collective |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Podcast about AHRC project and research on Women's World Cup for the Football Collective |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-football-collective-podcast-episode-13-stacey-pope/id14189... |
Description | Press Release for National and International News - Potential Reach 1.8 Billion |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Press release to launch AHRC research findings on misogynistic attitudes of men football fans towards women's sport to coincide with publication of paper in January 2021. This had potential media reach of 1.8 billion. Profile highlights: Story covered by more than 450 media outlets Outlets include: Guardian, Daily Mail, Irish Times, Sky News, The Sun, Independent, Mirror, Metro, Times Radio, TalkSport Featured on online front pages of The Guardian and Sky News Pick up by the Press Association resulting in coverage in 150+ UK regional papers Sky Sports News interview clip viewed 101K times Evidence story was being talked about on football fan message boards Story shared widely on Twitter including by some high profile social media accounts, such as Sharron Davies MBE (Olympian - 72K followers), Kelly Cates (Sky Sports presenter - 152K followers), Women's Sport Trust (43K followers), Sky News (9.9M followers), Guardian Sport (880K followers), Fawcett Society (67K followers), Football JOE (413K followers) Impact Widespread media coverage for the AHRC Profile has opened up conversations with organisations and charities about possible collaborations and policy work, such as the Football Supporters' Association, Her Game Too and Sky Sports A number of requests to give talks Positive feedback from within the internal and external academic community, and from the Executive Chair at AHRC |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://canvas.vuelio.co.uk/5047/study-reveals-misogynistic-attitudes-towards-womens-sport/view |
Description | Press Release to launch website on women fans in the 1950s |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Press release to coincide with launching a new website on the 'hidden history' of women Newcastle United fans. This included exposure on different platforms, including BBC and The Chronicle: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/what-like-female-newcastle-united-23992933 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-61493473 |
Description | Press article - France Le Foot |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Media interview for French media outlet: https://www.sofoot.com/articles/dans-le-foot-anglais-la-misogynie-pas-encore-signalee-hors-jeu#:~:text=Les%20dérapages%20récurrents%20de%20Joey,championne%20du%20monde%20en%20titre. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.sofoot.com/articles/dans-le-foot-anglais-la-misogynie-pas-encore-signalee-hors-jeu#:~:te... |
Description | Press release for international news |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Press release to promote AHRC project research focused on women football fans and the World Cup. Details of multiple national and international outputs are available here. Key highlights were BBC, Time Magazine, Washington Post, Guardian. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://canvas.vuelio.co.uk/5047/fifa-world-cup-and-media-coverage/view |
Description | Published article in The Conversation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Published article in The Conversation entitled 'Sing When You're Women: Why It's Time to Take Female Sports Fans Seriously'. This discusses some issues for female fans based on literature review findings for AHRC project and previous findings from ESRC funded project. To date the article has had over 6,000 readers in a range of countries internationally. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/sing-when-youre-women-why-its-time-to-take-female-sports-fans-seriously-... |
Description | Radio Interview |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 24 September 2019 I discussed my research on fan rivalries with BBC Solent in the pre-match up to commentary of the local derby Portsmouth V Southampton match. BBC Solent has a reach of 230,000 listeners a week. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Radio interviews for numerous radio stations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 3 July 2019 I did interviews with BBC Wales (Good Morning Wales Breakfast Show), BBC Stoke (Breakfast show) and BBC Newcastle. Each interview lasted for 5 minutes and I discussed my research on women's football and the 2019 Women's World Cup. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Research in Magazine - Wired |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | On 2 July 2019 my research was cited in an article for Wired magazine entitled: 'Why England vs USA is the most important game in the World Cup. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.wired.co.uk/article/england-usa-womens-world-cup |
Description | Research on female fans featured on TV5 Monde Terriennes |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was quoted in an interview about my research on the representations of female fans in the run up to the men's FIFA World Cup Final. This featured on the TV5 Monde Terriennes (the website affiliated with the global TV channel broadcasting in French). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://information.tv5monde.com/terriennes/coupe-du-monde-de-football-les-supportrices-anglaises-me... |
Description | Research on representations of female fans featured in Grazia magazine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed by Grazia magazine. My research on representations of female fans appeared in an article entitled 'Why is 'sexy' always the default when it comes to pictures of female fans'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/health-fitness/female-football-fans/ |
Description | Research quoted in an article for the Huffington Post |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Research quoted in an article for the Huffington Post entitled 'Tackling the future: CEO's game plan to end gender bias in sports' |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://guce.oath.com/collectConsent?brandType=nonEu&.done=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2Fen... |
Description | TV Programme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | In August 2019 I worked with Navada Studios on a programme for the Discovery Channel entitled Divided in Sport. I was interviewed about women, sport and inequality. This will be broadcast internationally. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | The Conversation Articles |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Published numerous articles for The Conversation connected to the research on the AHRC grant. Full details are available from the Conversation's website. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022,2023 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/profiles/stacey-pope-377064/articles |
Description | Venice Biennale Exhibition 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Dr. Stacey Pope has contributed to a major exhibition at the Venice Biennale, at the invitation of the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum drawing on research from her AHRC grant. The Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum opened in 2021. The Museum was asked to curate a major exhibition at the Venice Biennale, which is the world's leading arts festival. The invitation came from Hashim Sarkis, the Curator of the 17th International Architecture Exhibition at the 2021 Venice Biennale. The exhibition, called Sports Platform, is on the inter-relationship between sport, culture and architecture. A small number of world-leading academics and architects have been asked to contribute, with a short illustrated piece that will be featured in the display. Dr Stacey Pope was asked to contribute by the curator of the exhibition, Dr Kevin Moore, Deputy Director, Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, because of Dr. Pope's world-class academic expertise in this field. Dr. Pope contributed research findings on: 'The Football Stadium as a Cathedral' and 'The Gendering of Football Stadia'. The exhibition brought Dr. Pope's cutting-edge research to a wide international audience. The exhibition is seen by up to 500,000 visitors attending the Biennale in Venice. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |