Research Group

Dr. Bennett is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the area of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Her background is in Psychology and Kinesiology. She completed her B.A. in Psychology at UBC, M.A. and Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology at UBC, as well as Postdoctoral Fellowships in Medicine and Kinesiology at UBC. Dr. Bennett conducts research in the areas of physical activity, aging, and the body, as well as in athlete stress, coping, and adaptation. Her teaching focus is in the two main areas of sport and exercise psychology as well as qualitative research methods. Alongside and informing both her research and teaching, Dr. Bennett works with community organizations to find ways in which to make physical activity spaces more inclusive via program and policy recommendations and health and wellbeing workshop creation and delivery.

Kassi is a second-year PhD student in the School of Kinesiology supervised Dr. Bennett. She was born and raised in Ontario where she was an avid hockey player prior to relocating to Vancouver to start her undergrad. Kassi completed her BKin at UBC in 2019 and her MA in Kinesiology in the summer of 2023. Her MA thesis research using narrative inquiry focused on retired athletes living with long-term pain and their experiences of identity. In her PhD, Kassi is continuing her work in narrative methodology and will examine how individuals navigate identity construction and physical activity after limb amputation. Kassi also works as a graduate research assistant on two projects, the first studying older queer adults’ experiences with physical activity and the aging body. Her second position is on a project investigating how funding for prosthesis treatment in BC shapes participation in life for individuals with limb absence. 

Regan is a first-year PhD student in the School of Kinesiology supervised by Dr. Erica Bennett. She completed her BA in Psychology at UFV, and her previous experience as a competitive dancer and interest in the psychological aspects of sport led her to pursue graduate schooling in the field of sport psychology. Regan completed her MA in Kinesiology in 2024, in which she used life history interviews and body mapping to explore retired women ballet dancers’ experiences with embodiment over time. In her PhD work, Regan will continue to explore how retired ballet dancers navigate(d) Canadian dance culture, with a focus on how they story their embodied experiences using arts-based methods. Regan also works as a graduate research assistant on various projects concerning well-being, body image, and embodiment across sport and physical activity settings. 

Brooklynn is a first year PhD student in the School of Kinesiology at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Erica Bennett. She completed her BA in Psychology at King’s University (2019) in Edmonton, AB. Her research interests include body image, stress and coping, and gendered experiences in endurance athletes. Brooklynn completed her MA in Kinesiology at UBC in 2024, which used semi-structured interviews and participant diaries to explore elite distance runners experiences with their body image and sport-specific body ideals. In the Psychology of Inclusive Movement Research Group, Brooklynn works as a graduate research assistant on various projects. In her personal life, she can be found running on trails, drinking coffee, and/or spending time with her family.

Marta is a second-year PhD student at the University of Valencia, Spain*, currently undertaking a research stay as a visiting scholar supervised by Dr. Erica Bennett. She completed her BA in Sports Science at UV in 2020 and also holds an MA in Secondary Education with a specialization in Physical Education, as well as an MA in Research in Sport Sciences. Her BA thesis, using narrative inquiry, explored experiences of humiliation in sports contexts. In her PhD, she is examining humiliation using narrative pedagogy in the fields of sport, Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE), and Physical Education. Marta is also involved in various projects related to gender stereotypes and the promotion of physical activity from a critical perspective. In her free time, Marta enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling, as well as reading.

*Marta Oliver-Álvarez is a PhD student in the Department of Physical Education, Artistic and Music at the University of València and a member of the AFES research group.

Taylor is a second-year MA student in the School of Kinesiology supervised by Dr. Erica Bennett. She completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology at UBC where she conducted research in the area of positive body image. In her Master’s thesis research, Taylor is using semi-structured interviews and collage sessions to explore positive body image development in late adolescent girls and women competitive athletes. In the Psychology of Inclusive Movement Research Group, Taylor works as a graduate research assistant. In her free time, Taylor enjoys running, skiing, yoga, and spending time with friends and family. 

Hannah is a second-year MSc student in the School of Kinesiology supervised by Dr. Erica Bennett. She completed her Bachelors in Kinesiology at the University of Toronto and played on the varsity field hockey team during her time there. Her research interests include understanding adults’ experiences of chronic illness from a stress and coping perspective. Outside of school, she enjoys skiing, golfing, and cooking.

Naomi Maldonado-Rodriguez, MSc

Naomi is a doctoral student in the School of Kinesiology at the UBC under the supervision of Drs. Eli Puterman and Vicky Bungay. She holds a Master of Science in Health and Exercise Sciences from the University of British Columbia Okanagan where she studied blood biomarkers of brain injury in women who have experienced intimate partner violence. She is interested in intersectional, interdisciplinary, and participatory research approaches to health promotion and health equity as well as gender-based violence. In the Psychology of Inclusive Movement Group, Naomi works as a graduate research assistant on a research project examining the role of emotions in shaping how queer older adults perceive and experience their aging bodies and physical activity. In her free time, Naomi enjoys rock climbing, cycling, and urban farming.

Lauren is a third-year undergraduate student in the UBC School of Kinesiology, and is completing a Directed Studies Project supervised by Dr. Erica Bennett. She is interested in understanding the role of mental toughness in sport in neurodiverse athletes. Lauren works as an administrative assistant for the School of Kinesiology Outreach programs, and volunteers as the Outreach Coordinator for the KUS Pride Committee and Associate Director of World Studies for Children with Undergraduate Buddies Society (CUBS). On her days off, she enjoys crafting and creative writing.

Carmen is a fourth-year Kinesiology student at UBC, specializing in the Social and Behavioral stream. She is completing a Directed Studies supervised by Dr. Erica Bennett exploring the physical activity experiences of trans, non-binary, and queer postsecondary students. Carmen works with the Centre of Accessibility to support students with autism spectrum disorder on campus, working to enhance their experience and accessibility. In her free time, she enjoys running, singing, and baking.