Dr Emma Richardson

dr-emma-richardson

Senior Research Fellow in Inclusive Sport

School of Sport and Exercise Science

Academics

Contact Details

email: e.richardson@worc.ac.uk

Emma joined the University of Worcester in 2020 having worked in the United States and other areas of the United Kingdom focusing on how to make physical activity more accessible among disabled communities. Her focus is on anything disability and anything physical activity related, so this includes the experience of anyone with a physical, learning, or social difference, and within any realm of physical activity from play to elite sport. She is deeply passionate about disabled communities being the experts of positive change and uses qualitative, creative research methods to amplify often silenced disabled persons’ experiences towards making applied, impactful and sustainable inclusive changes in gyms, fitness centres, outdoor recreation areas, sports halls, etc.

Emma has over 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals, but is eager to make research accessible for all, especially people that can enact positive change towards equitable physical activity.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Disability Studies at Loughborough University (2017)
  • MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University (2013)
  • BA in Sport and Physical Activity at the University of Strathclyde (2012)

Teaching & Research

Teaching

  • Qualitative research
  • Creative approaches to research
  • Disability theory
  • Critical disability studies
  • Disability inclusion 

Research

  • Exploring the impact of the Invictus Games on the wellness of injured and ill veterans
  • Inclusion of the disabled community within recreational physical activity
  • Cultural praxis in disability research
  • Social justice in disability physical activity
  • Research-led teaching among future inclusive practitioners

Internal Responsibilities

  • Leader of Inclusive Sports theme of the Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity Research Group (ISPA)
  • Member of Concordat Implementation Group
  • Member of School of Sport and Exercise Research Strategy Forum
  • Member of Inclusive by Design Research Group
  • Member of Research and Knowledge Exchange Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Task and Finish Group

Professional Bodies

  • Qualitative Research Society

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journals

Richardson, E. V., Nagata, S., Hall, C.,  Akimoto, S., Barber, L. and Sawae, Y. (in press). Developing a socially-just research agenda for inclusive physical education in Japan’, Quest, https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2023.2206578.

 Richardson, E.V., Nagata, S., Hall, C. and Akimoto, S., (in press). A proposition for cultural praxis in critical disability studies: a methodological design for inclusive research. Quest, http://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2023.2188600.

Neal, W., Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R. (2022). Informing the development of a mobile application for the Physical Activity Guidelines in Multiple Sclerosis. A qualitative, pluralistic approach. Disability and Rehabilitation, DOI: 10.1080/17483107.2022.2153937.

Sato, T., Richardson, E.V, Matsuo, H., Kishimoto, Y., Hashimoto, S., Ando, K. and Kataoka, C. (2022). Development of Japanese women professional soccer athletes second career training. Journal of Digital Life, 2(11), 1-7.

Ando, K., Sato, T., Richardson, E.V., Tomura, T., Furuta, Y., Kasahara, H. and Nishijima, T. (2022). Japanese female professional soccer players views on second career development. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 30(2), 151-160.

*Adamson, B., *Adamson, M., *Clarke, C,. *Richardson, E.V., *Sydnor, S. (*equal contribution) (2022). Social justice through sport and exercise studies: praxis and theory for the new decade. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 46(5), 407-444.

Silveira, S.L., Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2022). Desired recourse for changing diet among persons with multiple sclerosis. Qualitative inquiry informing future dietary interventions. International Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Care, 24(4), 175-183.

Richardson, E.V., Fifolt, M., Barstow, E. and Motl, R.W. (2021). Models and materials for exercise promotion in comprehensive multiple sclerosis care: completion of the Exercise in Medicine development process. International Journal of Multiple Sclerosis Care, 44(24), 7475-7483.

Nikolajsen, H., Richardson, E.V., Sandal, L. F., Juul-Kristensen, B. and Troelsen, J. (2021). Fitness for all – how do non-disabled people respond to inclusive fitness centres? BMC Sport Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 13(81). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-021-00303-2

Sandroff, B., Richardson, E,V. and Motl. R. W. (2021). The neurologist as an agent of exercise rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis. Exercise and Sport Science Reviews, 49(4), 260-266. 

Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2021). Kicking and screaming or gracefully conceeding: creative non-fiction stories of aging with multiple sclerosis. Qualitative Health Research, 31(10), 1861-1874. 

Neal, W., Richardson, E.V. and Motl. R.W. (2021). How come you sent me the Canadian one?  Application and uptake of the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for adults with multiple sclerosis in the United States. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 38(3), 413-434.

Fifolt, M., Richardson, E.V., Barstow, E. and Motl. R.W. (2021). Using quality improvement for refining program materials for exercise promotion in comprehensive multiple sclerosis care. Journal for Healthcare Quality, 43(4), 249-258.

Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2020). The experience and meaning of aging with multiple sclerosis: An existential phenomenological approach. The Journal of Aging Studies, 54, 100872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2020.100872

Silveira, S.L., Richardson E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2020). Social cognitive variables and exercise engagement in persons with multiple sclerosis who use wheelchairs. Health Education, 35(4), 270-282. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyaa013

Richardson, E.V., Barstow, E. and Motl, R.W. (2020). Exercise experiences among persons with multiple sclerosis living in the Southeast of the United States. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(1), 79-87. Doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1757767

Richardson, E.V., Fifolt, M., Barstow, E. and Motl, R.W. (2020). Exercise promotion in multiple sclerosis through the patient-provider interaction: Development and quality improvement of practice models. Translational Journal of American College of Sports Medicine, 5(7), 59-68. (Top Article Selected by the Editors of the ACSM Journals, 22nd May 2020.)

Richardson, E.V., Fifolt, M., Barstow, E., Silveira, S., Sikes, E.M. and Motl, R.W. (2020). The priorities of neurologists for exercise promotion in comprehensive multiple sclerosis care. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 38, 101482.

Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2020). Promoting inclusion in a fitness centre through able-bodied staff: Creating a multi-narrative environment. Qualitative Research in Sport Exercise and Health, 12(14), 494-512.  https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2019.1637926

Silveira, S.L., Richardson E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2019). Informing the design of exercise programs for persons with multiple sclerosis who use wheelchairs: A qualitative inquiry. Disability and Rehabilitation, (43)3, 1838-1848. doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2019.1678073

Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2019). A journey to wellbeing: A dialogical narrative exploration of an adapted physical activity space and its impact on persons with physical impairments. Disability and Society, 35(1), 89-110.

Sikes, E.M., Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2019). A qualitative study of exercise and physical activity among adolescents with pediatric onset multiple sclerosis. International Journal of MS Care, 12(2), 81-91.

Richardson, E.V., Blaylock, S., Barstow, E.A., Fifolt, M. and Motl, R.W. (2019). Evaluation of a conceptual model to guide health care providers in promoting exercise among persons with multiple sclerosis. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 36(1), 109-131.

Richardson, E.V., Barstow, E.A., Fifolt, M. and Motl, R.W. (2019). Evaluation of a conceptual model regarding exercise promotion through the patient-provider interaction in multiple sclerosis: Healthcare provider perspectives, Qualitative Health Research, 30(8), 1262-1274.

Fifolt, M., Richardson, E.V., Barstow, E.A. and Motl, (2018). Behaviours of persons with multiple sclerosis through the stepwise implementation lens of social cognitive theory. Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(7), 948-956.

Richardson, E.V., Barstow, E.A. and Motl, R.W. (2018). A narrative exploration of the evolving perception of exercise among people with multiple sclerosis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(1), 119-137.

Motl, R.W., Barstow, E.A., Blaylock, S., Richardson, E.V., Learmonth, Y.C. and Fifolt, M. (2018). Promotion of exercise in multiple sclerosis through healthcare providers. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 46(2), 105-111.

Sikes, E.M., Richardson, E.V., Cederberg, K.J., Sasaki, J.E., Sandroff, B.M. and Motl, R.W. (2018). Use of the Godin leisure-time exercise questionnaire in multiple sclerosis research: A comprehensive narrative review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(11), 1243-1267.

Richardson, E.V., Smith, B. and Papathomas, A. (2017). Crossing boundaries: The perceived impact of disabled fitness instructors in the gym. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 29, 84-92.

Richardson, E.V., Smith, B. and Papathomas, A. (2017). Collective stories of exercise: Making sense of gym experiences with disabled peers. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 34(3), 276-294.

Richardson, E.V., Smith, B. and Papathomas, A. (2016). Disability and the gym: Experiences, barriers and facilitators of gym use for individuals with physical disabilities. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39(19), 1950-1957.

Richardson, E.V., Papathomas, A., Smith, B. and Goosey-Tolfrey, V.L. (2015). The psychosocial impact of wheelchair tennis on participants from developing countries. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39(2), 193-200.

Book Chapters:

Richardson, E.V. and Barber, L. (in press). A dilemma of disability sport: Paralympic ideology of legacy and inclusive physical education in the United Kingdom. Yukinori, S. (ed.) A Dilemma of Disability Sport. 

Silveira, S.L., Richardson, E.V. and Motl, R.W. (2022). Wellness interventions among persons with spinal cord injury, in Rajendram, R., Preedy, V.R. and Martin, C.R. (eds.) Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury: The Neuroscience of Spinal Cord Injury. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 471-481.

Richardson, E.V., Foster, R. and Martin, L. (2021). Inclusive language in adapted physical education: linking disability discourse from theory to practice in Balint, G., Antala, B., Carty, C., Mabieme, J.A., Ben Amar, I. and Kaplanova, A. (eds.) Physical Education and Sport for Children and Youth with Special Needs: Researches - Best Practices – Situation. Bratislava: Federation Internationale d’Education Physique, 455-464.

External Responsibilities

  • Editorial Board member: Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly
  • Co-lead of the Disabled People’s Sports Network (DPSA)