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Our areas of interest and services
The Disability Sport and Physical Activity (DisSPA) Network at LJMU brings together researchers and practitioners from across disciplines. The network supports the development of inclusive sport and physical activity.
We work with organisations across sport, education, health, and the community. Together, we develop research-informed solutions that improve opportunities for disabled people. Our aim is to increase participation and performance in sport and physical activity for the disabled community.
Why our work matters
Awareness of the importance of inclusive sport and physical activity continues to grow. International frameworks highlight the responsibility of organisations to increase opportunities for disabled people to take part in sport. These frameworks include:
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006)
the European Union (2017)
The Work Plan for Sport (2024 to 2027)
Uniting the Movement (2021 to 2031)
Despite this policy progress, disabled people still experience significant barriers that limit participation. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration across education providers, governing bodies, charities, and more.
Central to this work is developing a skilled and confident workforce. This includes coaches, physical education teachers, sport science practitioners, and sport managers. Building stronger links between policy, research, education, and practice is essential. It is what will create meaningful and sustainable change.
Our areas of interest
We collaborate with partners to deliver research, education, and applied projects across key areas:
Physical activity and lifestyle research
We are investigating activity levels and lifestyle interventions that support sustained participation in physical activity.
Education and curriculum design
We aim to develop inclusive curriculum content, learning materials, and engaging educational resources for all.
Sport psychology support
We are designing, delivering, and evaluating sport psychology interventions with individuals and teams.
Partnership and co-creation
We work with organisations to co-develop innovative projects. These projects translate policy into practical solutions for sport and physical activity settings.
Evaluation and impact
We assess the impact of interventions on practice. These include education programmes and continuing professional development (CPD).
Performance and physiology research
Exploring the physical and physiological needs of disabled athletes and performers.
Workforce development research
We use mixed-method research to understand the roles and knowledge of the sport and physical activity workforce. We also explore their skills and development needs.