Research Group

Principal Investigator

Erica Bennett, PhD

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.

Post-Doctoral Scholar

Shannon Herrick, PhD

Dr. Herrick is a post-doctoral fellow under the joint supervision of Dr. Erica Bennett and Dr. Andrea Bundon. Their body of research explores the experiences of LGBTQ2S+ communities in health and exercise contexts through the use of transformative mixed methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, and creative). Their fellowship is dedicated to exploring how adults who self-identify as experiencing disability and LGBTQ2S+ perceive, navigate, and experience health contexts and discourses. Some of Dr. Herrick’s current work also includes an on-going partnership with the National Theatre School of Canada to create Playbright, an intensive playwriting research program for LGBTQ2S+ youth in Montreal. Dr. Herrick does not have any concept of spare time, but always enjoys a cup of strong coffee, a thick book, and taking in a show.

Graduate Students

Kassi Welch, MA

Kassi is a first-year PhD student in the Kinesiology program studying under the supervision of 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. She is interested in continuing her work in narrative methodology and investigating the experiences of athletes. Kassi also works as a graduate research assistant studying older queer adults’ experiences with physical activity and the aging body.

Brooklynn Ratzlaff, BA

Brooklynn is a second year MA student in the Kinesiology program at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Erica Bennett. She completed her BA in Psychology at King’s University (Class of 2019) in Edmonton, AB. Her research interests include body image, stress and coping, and gendered experiences in endurance athletes. 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.

Regan Thompson, BA

Regan is a second-year MA student in the Kinesiology department at UBC, under the supervision of 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’s research interests include body image, life transitions, dance culture, and the aging body in sport. She also works as a graduate research assistant on various projects concerning athlete well-being, social support in community exercise settings, and weight embodiment across the life course. 

Taylor Unger, BKin

Taylor is a first-year Masters of Arts student in the Kinesiology program at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Erica Bennett. She recently completed her Bachelor of Kinesiology at UBC where she conducted research in the area of positive body image under the supervision of Dr. Erica Bennett and Dr. Shannon Herrick. Taylor’s research interests include positive body image and athlete experiences. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, and reading. 

Hannah Shoenroth, BKin

Hannah is a first-year MA student in the Kinesiology program at UBC under the supervision of 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 previous experiences as an athlete inspired her interest in sport psychology during her undergrad, which has led her to pursue graduate schooling in this area of research. Hannah’s research interests include athlete stress and coping, body image, and psychological barriers in physical activity spaces. Outside of school, she loves skiing, yoga, and finding the coolest lookout spots for a picnic!

Graduate Student Research Assistants

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.

Olivia Fischer, MA

Olivia is actively pursuing a PhD in Counselling Psychology at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Dan Cox. Olivia’s doctoral work is investigating the therapeutic process when working with LGBTQ+ clients. Previously, her research has focused on non-binary reproduction, cancer, sexuality, and intimate partner violence in LGBTQ+ communities. Olivia completed their BKIN in 2016 and has always been interested in the sociocultural aspects of sport and exercise. In the Psychology of Inclusive Movement Group, Olivia works as a graduate research assistant on two research projects attending to older queer adults’ experiences with physical activity and the aging body. Her personal interests include cycling, her two pet rabbits, and wine.

headshot of Olivia Fischer

Undergraduate Students

Iktome Cardinal

Iktome is an undergraduate student currently in his third year of kinesiology specializing in multidisciplinary studies. He is interested in horticulture therapy as an intervention for physical activity in the aging population. Outside of the lab, Iktome is dedicated to all sports on-ice, lacrosse, skateboarding, and music. In the lab, Iktome is assisting Dr. Bennett with transcribing interviews. He looks forward to continuing to assist Dr. Bennett in their research and learning from them!

Sarah Burns

Sarah is a BKIN student currently in her fourth year, specializing in Social and Behavioural Sciences. Her academic interests lie in the fields of sociology of health, inclusive sport and exercise psychology, as well as pediatric movement experiences. She is currently working as a research assistant under Dr. Bennett and hopes to continue her studies post-grad pursuing Occupational Therapy. In her personal life, you can find Sarah going on runs around her neighbourhood or spending time with her friends and family (and cat!).

Past Research Group Members

Joseph Silva (2023) – Directed Studies Undergraduate Student

Kyra McKinnon (2023) – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Kassi Welch (2022-2023) – MA Student

Taylor Unger (2022-2023) – Directed Studies Undergraduate Student

Calla Rowan Smith (2022-2023) – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Jee Lam (2022-2023) – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Tayler Colton (2021-2023) – Graduate Research Assistant

Myriam Tremblay (2020-2022) – MSc Student

Subyn Cho (2021-2022) – Undergraduate Research Assistant

Elke Peterson (2021-2022) – Undergraduate Research Assistant