míde research collective: research priorities for women in sport
- May 28
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
The míde research collective was established by míde in an effort to bridge the know-do gap that we identified in our scoping review (Jackman et al., 2025). The collective was perceived as a group of people who would help guide the research
design, data collection and analysis of the research priorities for women and girls in physical activity, exercise and sport.
What we did?
Working with the míde research collective that consists of 17 people representing grassroots sport, elite athletics, coaching, governing bodies and marginalised communities, we co-produced a survey that gathered insights from 582 people across the island of Ireland around what research about women in sport that they would like to see carried out. In addition, we asked how they currently access and use research in their work and lives.
Why this matters?
Women and girls have historically been left out of sport, physical activity and exercise science research. Most studies have been conducted on men, meaning the guidance that coaches, practitioners and policymakers rely on often does not always reflect women's experiences in sport and physical activity.
míde research was established in 2025 to change that — bringing together researchers, practitioners and community voices from across the island to address the gender gap in sport and physical activity research and to ensure research that is undertaken has a meaningful influence on girls and women's engagement in sport and physical activity.
Who engaged with this research?
Our 582 respondents included coaches, athletes, parents, researchers, policymakers and community members.
What were the main research priorities identified?
From 39 distinct priorities identified, eight issues emerged that respondents identified as research priorities for women in sport and physical activity.
Retention and dropout — why girls leave sport and how to keep them
Participation opportunities — making sport more accessible and inclusive
Menstruation — understanding how the cycle affects performance, injury and training
Effects and benefits of physical activity — the physical, mental and social case for sport
Injury risk and recovery — female-specific injury patterns and prevention
Supporting activity across the lifespan — from girlhood to older age
Tailored supports for active women and girls — training, equipment and environments that fit
Coaching girls and women — better coaching practices and more female coaches
Barriers to participation — time, cost, culture, confidence and more
Menopause — keeping women active through this life stage
How is research accessed?
Social media is currently the most common way people find information about women in sport and physical activity, but it's also the least trusted source. Scientific journal articles are considered the most trustworthy, but over a third of respondents find research difficult or very difficult to find, and academic language is a major barrier to using it.
This tells us that good research exists — but it isn't reaching the people who need it.
Despite the challenges, research does make a difference when people can access it.
63% said engaging with research changed how they think
51% said it changed what they do
60% said it introduced new approaches to their work
The full report is available here:
míde research collective project team
Dr Denise Martin, Atlantic Technological University
Dr Maria Faulkner, Atlantic Technological University
Dr Jenny Murphy, Atlantic Technological University
Dr Eimear Kelly, Atlantic Technological University
Dr Angela Carlin, Ulster University
Dr Lizzy Deery Ulster University
Dr Maria O'Kane, Ulster University
Dr Mary Margaret Meade, Ulster University
Dr Patricia Jackman, Lincoln University
Dr Emma Cowley, Technological University of the Shannon
Dr Aoife Lane, Technological University of the Shannon
