The Inclusion, Diversity and Gender Network Blog

Blog by Connor Humphries, MPhil Student Sport has historically been utilised as a tool to promote masculinity and heterosexuality in effeminate boys. During the industrial revolution boys' primary socialisation was through their mother as men had to worth long hours in the factory to support the family. There was little understanding of homosexuality and it was thought to occur in individuals that were gender a-typical. Sport tackled this issue by teaching young men and boys to express socially accepted masculine characteristics such as aggression, bravery, stoicism, misogyny, and homophobia. After the industrial revolution, sport was still used to masculinise boys and men in society. Certain sports (invasion and contact sports) were also seen as masculine terrains and the athletes were therefore perceived as heterosexual. Female athletes participating in these ‘masculine sports’ had their sexuality questioned and were often labelled as a lesbian. During the 1980s society becam...

This content has been taken from an original interview with the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group. Simonetta Manfredi Professor of Equality and Diversity Management and Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange (KE), Oxford Brookes University Business School  What would you highlight as the key accomplishments in your career, including accreditations and awards?  “In my role as Associate Dean I am responsible for setting the School research and Knowledge Exchange strategy and an important achievement for me has been to support my colleagues in delivering world-leading research to benefit individuals, the economy and society. In 2004 I founded the Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice and directed it until 2018. The Centre brings together academics, professionals, and policy makers to advance equality through research and evidence-based interventions. My interests span equality issues in the workplace with a focus on gender and age. I have published e...