An important contribution to the field, bringing together history, embodiment, and personal experiences in a rare way

Jacob Law
St Mary’s University, Twickenham

The release of Social Justice Through Sport and Exercise Psychology comes at a moment when discussions around equity, inclusion, and the politics of participation in sport feel more urgent than ever. Within sport and exercise psychology (SEP), there has been a noticeable shift toward examining the structural and cultural forces that shape people’s experiences in sport, rather than focusing solely on performance or wellbeing. This volume, edited by Leslee A. Fisher, responds to this shift. It offers a broad and at times deeply personal collection of voices that illustrate how social justice is lived, embodied, and continually negotiated within sporting and academic spaces.

The collection brings together an intergenerational group of authors, and this design shapes the book’s overall feel. Early chapters by Diane Gill and Carole Oglesby situate the reader within a historical landscape, reminding us that social justice in SEP has a deep and troubled history and that many of the challenges we face now are reflected throughout the field, activism, and resistance. The opening chapter reinforces this by acknowledging the pioneers who pushed against disciplinary boundaries. In doing so, the book does not simply introduce a set of ideas; it situates SEP’s engagement with social justice as having grown out of decades of work, conflict, experience, and reflection.

Whether discussing race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, or survivorship, these chapters highlight that social justice is lived and felt daily by those who are most affected by exclusion and inequity.

A thread running through the volume is the emphasis on embodiment as a way of knowing and engaging with the world. Chapters are striking in how they bring the body to the centre of the conversation. Contributions make the emotional and physical consequences of exclusion, harm, and resilience visible in a way that SEP can sometimes struggle to capture. Fisher’s concluding framework further develops this, presenting embodiment as fundamental to how social justice can and should be considered. This felt particularly important to me, as it reframes the role of SEP to incorporate empathy, reflexivity, and the acknowledgement of lived experience as evidence.

The middle of the book contains emotionally complex chapters. Ottley’s exploration of African movement aesthetics and spirituality presents a space for alternative ways of practicing and understanding psychology. Chroni’s narrative about investigating sexual misconduct in sport raises important questions and presents an essential advocacy for the rights of all athletes. Gunter’s discussion of identity and representation underscores how complicated it can be for individuals to navigate spaces not designed for them. Whether discussing race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, or survivorship, these chapters highlight that social justice is lived and felt daily by those who are most affected by exclusion and inequity.

Towards the latter part of the collection, the focus shifts towards systemic and institutional critique. These chapters, addressing whiteness and privilege, burnout in academia, and resilience, show how social justice is often dependent on the wider cultures and the people within them. These chapters are particularly powerful in showing that the problem is not just individual attitudes but systems that reproduce inequity. Ryba’s contribution on cultural praxis ties the book together by reminding the reader that reflexivity, context, and power must be central to social justice.

The final chapters turn towards future possibilities. This considers important questions about how we prepare the next generation to work in socially just ways and highlights the growing development of belonging, moving beyond broad inclusion to deeper, more meaningful engagement. These contributions, alongside the epilogue, leave the reader with the sense that, although the field has moved forward, there is still considerable distance to go.

The book offers an impressive breadth of perspectives, which I believe is a strength; however, I am also aware that it could be challenging for readers who are newer to social justice and sport, as the range of concepts, identities, and experiences covered is extensive. However, it could also provide a perfect entry into SEP by recognizing prominent researchers, terms, theories, experiences, and narratives that explain social justice through varied and complementary lenses. At times, the variety of narrative forms, writing styles, and disciplinary approaches might feel overwhelming. However, I found that once I understood the intention behind the structure to focus on moving from history, through lived and embodied experiences, towards moving forward, the book became more connected. There is a stronger American focus, reflecting both the contributors and the historical development of SEP in that context. While this does mean certain global perspectives are less visible, it does not diminish the book’s value.

This book makes significant contributions to the field by demonstrating the depth and diversity of social justice work within SEP, foregrounding embodiment, and offering powerful examples of how personal narratives can shape academic understanding. It also exposes the regressive tendencies within sport that harm, exclude, and silence. This is represented by the trauma that many contributors articulate and reminds the reader that while sport can empower, it can also constrain and cause harm. What stood out to me most was how clearly the authors’ emotions, frustrations, and hopes came through in the texts. These stories are necessary if the field is to move forward.

Overall, this is an important contribution to the field. It brings together history, embodiment, and personal experiences in a rare way. For readers who work in SEP, coach education, athlete support, or any field connected to sport and social justice, this book offers both understanding and critique. It acts as a reminder of how far the field has come, but also of how far we still have to go. Personally, I found myself immersed in the independent chapters, which were thought-provoking and in many instances prompted reflection. It is a book that would be useful to many academics, as well as practitioners, teachers, and students, to encourage reflection, empathy, and a commitment to social justice at a time when it needs support.

Copyright © Jacob Law 2026