Alex's Profile
Job title
Senior Lecturer
Academic qualifications
BA (Hons) English Language and Sports Studies, MA Journalism, PGCERT in Higher Education
"With my background in sports media and academia, I bring a unique perspective to understanding how social inequalities play out in sport and the lived experiences of women in sports journalism."
I’m a Senior Lecturer in Sports Management, with specific expertise in the sociocultural aspects of gender in sport, media, and communications, as well as social inequalities and qualitative research methods. I teach on the Sports Management and Sport, Coaching and Education courses here at UCB, and I’m proud to play a part in shaping the next generation of sports professionals who will not only succeed in their careers but also question, challenge, and improve the world of sport for the better.
Before joining UCB in February 2023, I taught at Nottingham Trent University (where I’m currently completing my PhD on gender inequality in sports journalism), Newman University, and the University of Worcester. I also worked in sports media, undertaking placements at Sky News and the BBC before working in media roles across football, the Netball Super League, and the British Basketball League. I've worked as a freelance sports journalist, writing for both national and local newspapers, and have hands-on experience in marketing and communications in sport.
Beyond my sports media and academic experience, I’ve worked on Widening Participation projects for the University of Gloucestershire and Walsall College, with the aim of supporting non-traditional students into Higher Education. My role with the University of Gloucestershire involved working in close collaboration with the National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) and the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL).
My academic work has been published in journals, and I’ve presented my research at both national and international conferences, including the International Conference on Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (QRSE). My research focusses on how social inequalities play out in sport and the lived experiences of women in sports journalism. I’m also an active member of professional associations: the British Sociological Association, the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA), and the British Association of Applied Linguistics’ Special Interest Group for Language, Gender and Sexuality.
I’m motivated by the opportunity to research and teach about inclusion, equity, and social change in and through sport. I love challenging dominant narratives and highlighting underrepresented voices. The diversity of students at UCB brings a rich mix of perspectives that makes every discussion unique and inspiring, and it’s genuinely rewarding to support students as their confidence and critical thinking skills grow.
One piece of advice I always give to first year students is to invest time in getting to grips with academic conventions. Practical skills such as referencing, finding credible sources, and developing good academic writing habits are the foundation of university success. Finally, I encourage students to ask for support when they need it - there’s a whole team of lecturers and services at UCB, so it’s a good idea to make the most of them.
Research
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Harris, A. and Bowes, A. (2025) ‘Still the outsiders? Women in sport journalism’, International Journal of Sport Communication, 18(2), pp. 213–223. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2025-0031
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Harris, A (2024, January) ’I don't know if I'd like to work in the men's game. I'd actually like to help continue to grow the women's game’: An investigation of female sports journalists’ experiences of working in the UK.’ Sports Media Identity Network Conference, Northumbria University, London.
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Harris, A (2024, April) ‘‘If I say something sport wise, I'm questioned on it”: The language use of UK women sports journalists’. The 15th Meeting of the British Association of Applied Linguistics’ Special Interest Group for Language, Gender and Sexuality: Language, Gender and Sexuality in Sport: De Montfort University, Online.
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Harris, A (2024, July)’ Beyond the token?: Exploring emerging workplace cultures of women sports journalists using event ethnography at international and domestic women’s sports.’ Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (QRSE) Conference, University of Bath, Bath.