Community
SLQ research in this area focuses primarily on how sport can be used as a tool to create and enhance a sense of community among participants. In this era of ever advancing technology, social isolation continues to be a growing problem. Genuine human-to-human connections and feelings of being supported at the community level are decreasing in today’s society. Sport, however, has the potential to combat these social issues. Sport, if properly managed and administered, is a tool that can be used to create and build community among a diverse group of individuals.
Thus far, SLQ research has taken both a community psychology and social networking analysis approach to uncovering the key factors of creating (1) a increased sense of community and (2) a better understanding of the connectivity and cohesion of individuals in various sport settings. This research can be used to enhance the sport participation experience for individuals and also leveraged to advance social initiatives that benefit communities and reach beyond the sporting arena.
Publications
Book Chapters:
- Dixon, M. A., & Bruening, J. (forthcoming). Youth and Community Sport. In P. Pederson, J. Parks, J. Quarterman, & L. Thibault (Eds.). Contemporary Sport Management (4th edition). Human Kinetics.
Projects in process:
- Warner, S., & Dixon, M.A. (in review). Enhancing the sport experience: Understanding sense of community from an athlete’s perspective.
- Warner, S., Bowers, M., & Dixon, M.A. (in review). Teambuilding and cohesion: A social networking perspective.