Dr. Charlene Weaving

Professor and Chair of Human Kinetics, St. Francis Xavier University

Research experience: gender and sport, Olympic Games, sexualization & equity.

Media

Why are male and female beach volleyball uniforms so different

NOW Toronto, February 22, 2015Print

URL: https://nowtoronto.com/news/if-bikinis-are-so-practical-why-don-t-men-wear-speedos/

Interview during the 2015 Pan American about beach volleyball uniform regulations.

Conference Stickhandles gender roles

Daily Gleaner, February 7, 2016Print

Interview after conference presentation on the docu-series Hockey Wives.

Beach volleyball’s never ending joust over bikini uniforms

MacLeans, August 12, 2016Print

URL: http://www.macleans.ca/olympics/rio-2016-beach-volleyballs-never-ending-joust-over-bikini-uniforms/

Interview about the current state of women's Olympic beach volleyball uniform regulations.

The Lingerie Trap

ESPN Gartland, February 23, 2015Online

URL: http://grantland.com/features/legends-football-league-womens-lingerie-football-league-mitchell-mortaza/

Interview based on research work on the Lingerie Football League, now called the Legends Football League (LFL)

Sexism running rampant at Rio Games

Sportsnet, August 17, 2016Online

URL: http://www.sportsnet.ca/olympics/sexism-running-rampant-rio-2016/

Analysis of the various examples of sexism found throughout the 2016 Games.

Philosophical Perspectives on Gender in Sport and Physical Activity
Routledge
415476623

Sliding Up and Down a Golden Glory Pole: Pole Dancing and the Olympic Games

Published by Sport, Ethics and Philosophy

May 14, 2020

In October 2017, after an 11-year-old battle, the Global Association of
International Sports Federation (GAISF) classified pole dancing as
a professional sport. In this essay, I argue that pole dancing should not
be included in the Olympic program despite the GAISF recognizing this
activity as a professional sport. Such potential inclusion contributes to an
existing and extensive institutionalized culture of sexismand hypersexualization
at the Olympic games. Drawing on existing research on pole
dancing and embodiment, I argue that even though pole sport requires
athletic skill and ability, it should not become an Olympic event. My
overall argument is grounded in the hypersexualized context of pole
dance and pole sport. I will demonstrate that we cannot divorce pole
sport from the stripping culture of exotic and erotic sexual connotations

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/17511321.2020.1764089

Prenatal Paranoia: An Analysis of the Bumpy Landscape for the Pregnant Athlete

Published by Sport, Ethics and Philosophy

July 1, 2019

I analyze the case of pregnant athletes, and argue that sexism
surrounds pregnant athlete’s participation in sport. I claim that we
stigmatize the pregnant body in action. Participating in sport while
pregnant is often considered socially irresponsible behaviour
because of unfounded fear of harming the fetus. Many believe
that elite sport is in conflict with reproductive ability. However,
this belief is not rooted in scientific findings, and rather is reinforced
by traditional sexist views of the woman’s athletic body and
its capabilities. Analyzing the various degrees of sexism like sexual
objectification and unjust discrimination that surround the pregnant
athlete is a relevant and necessary exercise in order to
challenge traditional sexist views and increase agency for the
pregnant athlete.

Getting Jacked and Burning Fat: Examining Doping and Gender Stereotypes in Canadian University Sport

Published by Journal of Intercollegiate Sport

February 16, 2014

Research article outlining the role that femininity and masculinity ideals play in doping for University athletes.

Examining 50 years of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.” Journal of Philosophy of Sport

Published by Journal of Philosophy of Sport

October 10, 2016

Research paper examining 50 years of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00948705.2016.1208534

Core Workout: A Feminist Critique of Definitions, Hyperfemininity, and the Medicalization of Fitness

Published by International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics

October 21, 2016

Research article examining physical activity and the fitness trends and the extent of femininity and masculinity.

Cheating, lying, and trying in recreational sports and leisure practices

Published by Annals of Leisure Research

February 3, 2017

Research publication examining the ethics of 'not trying' in recreation sport.

Alternative Chicks: Examining Women Feeskiers and Empowerment

Published by Fair Play

August 26, 2016

Research article examining the case of empowerment and free skiing. The specific case of Sarah Burke is analysed.

Biography

Dr. Charlene Weaving researches gender and sport. Past projects include athletes and sexualization (i.e. Sports Illustrated, ESPN Body Issue), Olympic Games and gender equity, gender construction in the MMA and UFC, and myths surrounding menstruation and pregnancy for athletes. She teaches in the Human Kinetics Dept at STFX: Gender and Sport, Modern Olympics Games and Ethics in Sport.

Recognition/Reconnaissance

Interntational Association for the Philosophy of Sport (IAPS) Service Award | Professional

Received this award in 2013, for significant contributions to the IAPS organization.

Faculty of Science Oustanding Teaching Award | Professional

In 2007, awarded the Faculty of Science Outstanding Teaching Award

Additional Titles and Affiliations

Past President of the International Association for the Philosophy of Sport (IAPS) (2015-2017)

Expertise

  • ESPN Body Issue
  • women's rugby
  • Sports Illustrated Swimusit Issue
  • sexualization and athletes
  • sexism in sport
  • pregnancy and sport
  • Olympics and ethics
  • Olympic Games and gender
  • Olympic studies
  • MMA/UFC and gender
  • menstruation and sport
  • LFL
  • Hockey Wives
  • Hockey and gender
  • gender and sport
  • ethics in sport
  • Beach volleyball
  • athletes posing nude

Education/Éducation

  • Western University
    Philosophy of Sport, Kinesiology
    Ph.D., 2005
  • Western University
    Philosophy of Sport, Kinesiology
    MA, 2000
  • Acadia University
    Kinesiology
    Bachelor of Kinesiology, 1999