How have women participated in sport and what positions have they held over the last 50 years? This was the topic that Daniela Alves, a PhD student in "Applied Psychology: Adaptation and Change in Contemporary Societies" at the Faculty of Education and Psychology of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (FEP-UCP), presented at the 2nd International Meeting on Sport, Education, and Communities (ODEC).

The presentation, entitled "The case of women in sports context: 50 years of evolution or underrepresentation?" concerns the first study of Daniela Alves' doctoral project. This first work sought to map the participation of women in sport and the positions they have occupied over the last five decades, particularly in leadership positions, comparing their reality with that of men.

Specifically, the student sought to understand what positions women have occupied, how they got there and how female participation in sport has evolved over time.

Study is the kick-off of a wider project

The work is part of a doctoral project entitled "Contingent workers in leadership positions: the case of women in sport and their working relationships", which is divided into three studies.

The doctoral project, which is part of the Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH), aims to investigate the level of organisational support perceived by women in a sports context, their assessment of work-life balance, their career ambitions and prospects, and their perception of leadership self-efficacy.

The FEP doctoral student's presentation took place on 24 May 2024 at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto, as part of the second ODEC International Meeting.