Teams of top researchers at Victorian universities are set to undertake new research projects to help break down barriers for women and girls in sport and active recreation.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced Deakin University and RMIT have been successful in securing grants of up to $25,000 towards three new research projects, made possible by the 2023-24 Change Our Game Research Grants Program.

The program supports Victorian researchers to carry out studies relating to gender equality for women and girls in sport and active recreation, builds research capacity, leading to better outcomes for all Victorians.

Deakin University has scored two grants:

1. A research initiative led by Dr Christopher Scanlon, Professor Kristy Hess and Lauren Bevilacqua aimed at increasing women’s visibility in Victorian sports media called Off the Sidelines.
2. Looking at the impacts of menstruation on participation in sport and active recreation led by Dr Rhiannon Snipe, Associate Professor Helen Brown, Dr Amelia Carr, Associate Professor Luana Main, Dr Lyndell Bruce and Associate Professor Severine Lamon.

RMIT University are leading the research on:

1. Improving active outdoor recreation experiences for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse women. Their project called Social, Accessible, Fun and Equitable (SAFE) will be led by Dr Ancy Gamage, Dr Sehrish Shahid, Professor Emma Sherry and Professor Mayowa Babalola.

This round will bring the total value of research grants awarded through the Change Our Game Research Grants Program initiative to over $460,000, with 21 projects benefitting since 2018.

The program also supports the development of early career researchers with an interest in gender equality and emerging issues impacting women and girls in sport and recreation.

Thursday, 8 February