Australian Sports Commission looks to address research gaps in community sport participation

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is looking for highly experienced researchers to fill a new role aimed at advancing community sport knowledge in Australia.

The Postdoctoral Senior Research Fellows will help lead a new Play Well Research Unit and drive research in community sport.

The role will address key research gaps in sport participation such as the social values of sport, participation barriers for people with disability, and the impact a major sporting event has on a local club.

ASC Director of Sport Programs Dr Lindsey Reece said the lack of research into community sport was identified during the development of Australia’s Sport Participation Strategy – Play Well.

Dr Reece noted “it’s no secret that Australia offers world-leading research in high performance sport, and now we want to achieve the same at the grassroots level.

“Researchers will tap into unexplored areas that will inform future decision-making, ensure we’re investing in the right areas and help us tackle some of the biggest challenges in sport.

“It will also bring us closer to achieving our ultimate goal of creating safe, welcoming, inclusive and fun sporting environments for all.”

The research findings will be shared across the sector so that people involved in all roles of sport from club administrators to Chief Executives can help drive positive change.

The Postdoctoral Senior Research Fellows will be supported by several PhD students and work closely with universities, academic partners and other sport participation researchers.

Dr Reece added “this is a really exciting opportunity for an experienced researcher to make a real impact in community sport and I strongly encourage anyone eligible to apply.”

This initiative supports the priorities outlines in the National Sport Research Agenda.

More information about the role can be found here.

Applications close Friday 7th March

Image. Expressions of interest are now open for a Postdoctoral Senior Research Fellows to lead an innovative program. Credit ASC