Projects per year
Personal profile
Academic Biography
I’m a senior lecturer in sport and exercise and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I was previously a researcher at Teesside on an enhancing the physical activity of children project, and completed my PhD in the relationship between English national identity and football fans. I am passionate about the study of sport and its place in society and use my research publications and experience to inform all of my teaching. My main areas of research and teaching expertise are the sociology, theology and history of sport. My research interests revolve around Christianity; English/British national identity; globalisation; fandom; media; violence/hooliganism; disability; football; endurance sport (particularly running and cycling); and qualitative research methods (particularly those using new technologies). I am the author of four books, have published in a range of international peer reviewed journals and have chapters in other books on these topics. I became a Christian during my PhD studies and have recently been involved in developing a Christian Sociology of Sport. I am currently leading a research project aiming to enhance the inclusion of disabled children and young people in physical education in England.
Summary of Research Interests
Tom's research interests are in the sociology, theology and history of sport subject areas and revolve around: Christianity; English/British national identity; globalisation and European integration; fandom; media; violence/hooliganism; disability; football; endurance sport (particularly running and cycling); and, qualitative methods (particularly those using new technologies).
PhD and Research Opportunities
Dr Gibbons currently welcomes applications from potential PhD candidates in any aspect of the sociology, theology and/or history of sport.
External Roles and Professional Activities
Tom is a member of the British Sociological Association (BSA) Sport Study Group.
External Research Collaborations
Tom has collaborated with academics from HE institutions across the UK, Europe, North America, Canada and New Zealand on a variety of research projects which have led to both books and journal articles.
Learning and Teaching Interests and Activities
Tom is currently link tutor for some of the sport-related foundation degree programmes delivered at the university's partner colleges.
Tom is also the convener of the 'Sociology of Sport Research Group' which aims to provide a supportive environment to encourage, challenge and inspire students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) to further their research journeys into the exciting world of the sociology of sport.
Tom is a University Mentor and works with staff (both internal and external to the University) to help them develop their research.
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Active
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From Viv Anderson to Black Lives Matter: Racism and Anti-Racism within British football fanzines and fan websites - 1970-present
1/10/22 → 30/09/26
Project: Research
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We can’t participate like this at football, can we’? Exploring in-person performative prosumer fandom at live PDC darts events
Davis, L. & Gibbons, T., 7 Apr 2023, In: Journal of Consumer Culture.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
An investigation into the suitability of initial teacher training for the inclusion of disabled children in Physical Education in England
Gibbons, T., Braye, S., Dixon, K. & Innerd, A., 15 Nov 2021, In: Physical Education Matters. 16, 3, p. 23-27 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile210 Downloads (Pure) -
Disabled athlete activism: using an emancipatory theological approach to promote the use of disabled athletes in disability activism in the UK
Braye, S. & Gibbons, T., 25 Nov 2021, Athlete Activism: Contemporary Perspectives. Magrath, R. (ed.). Routledge, 11 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
Open AccessFile5 Downloads (Pure) -
Disabled children still face exclusion in PE - here's what needs to change
Gibbons, T. & Dixon, K., 14 Oct 2021, In: The Conversation.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
Open Access -
Norbert Elias’s concept of the ‘drag-effect’: implications for the study of the relationship between national identity and sport
Gibbons, T., 19 Mar 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Sport in Society.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile59 Downloads (Pure)
Press/Media
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Give recognition for innovation in student engagement
Helen Tidy, Mark Butler & Tom Gibbons
15/12/22
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Disabled Children still face exlcusion in PE
Tom Gibbons, Kevin Dixon & Stuart Braye
2/11/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Disabled children still face exclusion in PE – here’s what needs to change
14/10/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
Thesis
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The relationship between English national habitus and football fandom
Author: Gibbons, T., 31 Dec 2012Supervisor: Golby, J. (Supervisor), McGuinness, M. (Supervisor), Morland, D. (Supervisor) & Johnes, M. (External person) (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis