GRANT: Diversity in Sport (Dissertation)

DIVERSITY IN SPORT DISSERTATION GRANT

The Laboratory for Diversity in Sport at Texas A&M University is pleased to announce the Diversity in Sport Dissertation Grant. This is a $750 award presented to a student who will complete a doctoral dissertation by August 15, 2007. Any doctoral student conducting research in the area of diversity in sport is eligible for the grant.

Overview.
Diversity represents one of the most important issues facing persons in sport today. From a managerial standpoint, changing demographics, equal employment opportunity laws, and social pressures have all contributed to the increased heterogeneity of sport organization employees. The increased diversity can have both positive and negative effects for individual, groups, and the organization as a whole. As such, it is imperative for managers to (a) understand how diversity influences the workplace, (b) factors that can facilitate the positive effects of diversity, and (c) strategies that can be employed to ameliorate the potential negative effects of such differences.

From a social standpoint, sport has historically been a context where persons with certain characteristics—that is, White, able-bodied, heterosexual, Protestant men—have been privileged relative to those persons who do hold those characteristics. This form of privilege is largely still in place today. Social scientists are charged, therefore, with understanding (a) the experiences of members of under-represented groups, (b) how their experiences in sport influence their subsequent attitudes and behaviors, and (c) what policies can be implemented to ensure that sport is a setting open to all persons, irrespective of their demographic characteristics, values, or beliefs.

Guidelines.
Students should complete the attached information sheet, complete a proposal for funding, and provide a detailed budget. Each proposal should be no more than three pages of text (excluding references, tables, figures, and/or appendices). The proposal should include (a) an introduction, (b) an overview of the theoretical framework adopted for the study, (c) the proposed methods, (d) the data analytic procedures, (e) the expected results, and (f) the implications of the research for the study of diversity in sport. On a separate page from the written proposal, students should provide a detailed budget of how they plan to use the funds. Proposals should also include a letter of support from the student’s advisor. Preference will be given to those studies focusing on the issues outlined in the Overview section.

Students should submit four copies of the grant proposal to:
George B. Cunningham, PhD
Laboratory for Diversity in Sport
Department of Health and Kinesiology
Texas A&M University
4243 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-4243

Note that Texas A&M University System employees are not eligible for the award.

Deadline.
The deadline for submission is October 20, 2006. A decision will be made by November 3, 2007, and funding distributed thereafter. The funding decision will be made by four faculty members associated with the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport. Questions should be directed to: George Cunningham, PhD; Director, Laboratory for Diversity in Sport; Email: gbcunningham@hlkn.tamu.edu; Phone: (979) 458-8006.
Additional Information.

If awarded the grant, students are required to: (a) provide the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport with a copy of the dissertation, (b) list the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport as a sponsor of the research in the dissertation and in subsequent presentations and publications, and (c) provide the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport with copies of published articles emanating from the dissertation.
Laboratory for Diversity in Sport.

Founded in 2003, the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport is housed within the Department of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University. The Laboratory is dedicated to producing and disseminating research related to all forms of diversity within the sport context.

The purpose of the Laboratory is to examine and seek to understand how diversity impacts team and organization performance, individual affect, and people’s behaviors. Therefore, research from the Laboratory is aimed at investigating under-represented persons and groups, diverse dyads, heterogeneous teams, and individuals’ outcomes when surrounded by dissimilar others. Such research allows for a greater understanding of how diversity impacts individuals and teams, as well as the benefits of diversity.

In addition to awarding the Diversity in Sport Dissertation Grant, the Lab also produces:

• The Diversity in Athletics Award: The Diversity in Athletics Award recognizes the NCAA Division I-A athletic departments that excel in the area of diversity. Departments are recognized in seven categories: diversity strategy, sex diversity of department employees, racial diversity of department employees, graduation of African American male student athletes, graduation of African American female student athletes, Title IX compliance, and overall excellence in diversity. The Award is presented on an annual basis by the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport at Texas A&M University.

• Diversity in Sport Organizations Interview Series: This product represents interviews with leaders from around the world concerning various diversity-related topics. Interview areas include: an overview of diversity, health implications of diversity, race and ethnicity, sex and leadership, disability and sport, and strategies for managing a diverse workplace.

For more information concerning the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport, please see the Lab website: http://lds.tamu.edu.