Personal profile
Research interests
Senior Lecturer in Leisure, Tourism, and the Environment
Deputy Director, SPHERE Research Centre (Centre for Sport, Physical Activity and Health Equity)
Stephanie has been a Lecturer at the University of Bath since 2013, having completed a PhD in Human Geography at the University of Exeter and postdoctoral research at the Faculty of Health, Education and Society, University of Plymouth.
Her research centres on three key strands:
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Qualitative methodological innovation, particularly through the use of technologies such as video and GPS.
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Sport, leisure, and space, with a focus on the role of natural and blue spaces in wellbeing, sustainable tourism environments, and urban design for healthy communities.
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Technological, mediative, and more-than-human engagements with sport, health, and leisure environments.
In teaching, Stephanie contributes to modules on:
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Sociology of health and fitness
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Sport and leisure tourism
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Sport, the environment and sustainability
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Running with ‘others’: motivation and inter-relationality in canicross
Merchant, S. (PI)
1/05/18 → …
Project: Other
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An Evaluation of Lisa May Thomas' The Touch Diaries Project
Merchant, S. (PI)
8/09/14 → 31/03/16
Project: UK charity
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TOWARDS A POST-QUALITATIVE INFORMED APPROACH TO COLLECTIVE MEMORY WORK
Merchant, S., Francombe-Webb, J. & Clift, B. C., 12 Dec 2025, Post-Qualitative Inquiry in Sport, Health, and Physical Education. Dania, A. & Ovens, A. (eds.). 1 ed. Bingley, U. K.: Emerald Publishing Limited, Vol. 265. p. 207-223 16 p. (Advances in Research on Teaching ; vol. 50).Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter
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COLLECTIVE MEMORY WORK IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Clift, B. C., Merchant, S. & Francombe-Webb, J., 3 Jul 2024, Participatory Research in Sport and Physical Activity. Rich, K. A., Smith, R. & Giles, A. R. (eds.). 1 ed. Abingdon, U. K.: Routledge, p. 170-182 13 p. (Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Activity).Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceeding › Book chapter
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EXPLORING THE IMPACTS THAT VIRTUAL NATURE EXPOSURE CAN HAVE ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING AND THE MECHANISMS INVOLVED: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Reece, R. & Merchant, S., 13 Feb 2023, In: The Open Review (SWDTP). 2023, 8, p. 71 86 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1575 Downloads (Pure) -
Remembering learning to play: reworking gendered memories of sport, physical activity, and movement
Clift, B. C., Francombe-Webb, J. & Merchant, S., 31 Dec 2023, In: Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. 15, 4, p. 449-466 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)204 Downloads (Pure) -
Remembering learning to play: Reworking gendered memories of sport, physical activity, and movement
Francombe-Webb, J., Clift, B. & Merchant, S., 27 Jul 2022.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Activities
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A social network analysis approach to mental health disorders on social media
Merchant, S. (Supervisor)
2020 → 2025Activity: External examination and supervision › External supervision / mentoring
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Leisure Studies Association Annual Conference
Merchant, S. (Organiser)
2018Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Major conference organising role
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Designing Activity: Rethinking Girls 'Body' Experience within Physical Education through Creative Design
Merchant, S. (Examiner)
2024Activity: External examination and supervision › Internal doctoral examination
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More-Than-Human Approaches to Sport and Movement Cultures
Merchant, S. (Speaker)
3 Apr 2025Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Keynote presentation or prestigious invited talk
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QRSE 2024
Merchant, S. (Organiser)
2024Activity: Academic conferences and events (excluding conference publications) › Major conference organising role