Breaking Barriers Conference at RIASA!
Author: Richmond American University London
In a world where the roar of the crowd often drowns out critical conversations, Breaking Barriers 2025 is turning up the volume on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in sport. On Thursday, 12 June 2025, the Richmond Gender in Sport Research Centre (RGiSRC), Richmond American University London and RIASA campus in Leeds, will once again bring changemakers, scholars, athletes, and advocates together at the picturesque Weetwood Hall Estate in Leeds.
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a frontline of change.
Building on a Legacy of Change
Following the success of the 2024 conference, Breaking Barriers 2025 returns with even more ambition. With the world of sport facing rapid change and long-overdue reckonings, we aim to spotlight not just the problems—but the powerful, practical solutions emerging from both academia and grassroots initiatives.
This year’s event explore six interwoven themes:
Historical Foundations
Gender Dynamics
Sustainability in Sports
Disrupting the Sports Industry
Empowerment through Sport
Social Responsibility
Whether you’re a researcher, practitioner, student, or athlete, the conference offers rich opportunities to explore these critical intersections and co-create a more inclusive and just sporting future.
Meet Our Esteemed Keynotes
We are honoured to host two of the UK’s leading voices in inclusive sport:
Professor Stacey Pope (Durham University)
Renowned for her groundbreaking work on women’s football fandom and the media portrayal of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Professor Pope delves into the cultural resistance to women’s increased visibility in sport—and the powerful community movements pushing back.
Professor Thomas Fletcher (Leeds Beckett University)
A global authority on race equality and social justice in sport, Professor Fletcher’s work includes transformative initiatives like Tackling Online Hate in Football and deep engagement with South Asian communities in sport. His insights are both timely and necessary.
A Day of Inspiration and Action
This isn’t a passive event. Expect interactive workshops, thought-provoking presentations, and a dynamic panel discussion bringing together voices from West Riding County FA and across sports industry. Attendees will engage directly with issues such as:
- Gender inequality in grassroots football
- Creating inclusive pathways for disabled athletes
- Queer and feminist design in sports culture
- Strategies to dismantle online and offline hate
- Policymaking
Together, we aim to challenge assumptions, amplify underrepresented voices, and chart a path toward a sporting world where everyone can belong and thrive.
Find the conference website here.
