Language, Interaction, and Inclusion in Sport

Our research

Sport has the power to unite, but true inclusion doesn't happen by accident. Through a sociolinguistic lens, our research examines the everyday, taken-for-granted communication practices inside sports teams. By identifying how micro-interactions can unintentionally isolate or powerfully empower athletes, we co-create practical strategies that turn diverse teams into truly inclusive communities.

Current Research: Deaf athlete experiences in cricket

Our current research focuses on the unique interactional landscapes of deaf and hard of hearing athletes in cricket in the UK. Our foundational study explored the specific communicative barriers and enablers experienced by deaf cricket players both on and off the pitch.

Principal investigators: Dr Kieran File & Prof. Stephanie Schnurr (University of Warwick)

Community partners

ECAD MidlandsLink opens in a new window offers accessible, inclusive cricketing opportunities for players with hearing imparements.

Deaf World is a charity dedicated to empowering deaf and hard-of-hearing young people.

Resources

We translate our empirical findings into accessible, evidence-based tools designed for everyday use on and off the field. From practitioner guides to peer-reviewed journal articles, our resources bridge the gap between academic research and sports community practices.

 

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Practitioner resources

Looking to make your team, club, or sports programme more inclusive?

We translate our sociolinguistic research into actionable, evidence-based tools designed for coaches, athletes, club administrators, and parents.

Books

Our research contributes foundational academic literature on the critical role of language and communication in competitive and community sports contexts. Our published work explores how language, identity, and interactional practices shape sports culture, leadership, and team dynamics.

Publications

Our empirical findings are regularly published in top-tier international, peer-reviewed journals. These articles provide the rigorous theoretical framework and data-driven evidence behind our practical tools.

Previous research: Inclusion in multicultural cricket teams

How do multicultural sports teams achieve and sustain genuine cohesion? This project investigated the lived experiences of migrant players in grassroots cricket. The study set out to address critical issues raised in the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s report, Holding up a Mirror to Cricket, which highlighted long-standing challenges for South Asian migrant players in the UK. Drawing on qualitative methodologies, including semi-structured interviews and discourse analysis, the researchers identified actionable strategies that can be implemented by players, coaches, administrators, and parents to build inclusive team environments.

This was a collaborative project, developed through the Monash Warwick Alliance. Principal investigators: Dr Kieran File (University of Warwick) & Dr Lucas Santos (Monash University).

Read more about the project hereLink opens in a new window and here.