Tucker Center Talks

Dr. Sarah Kaja: Rethinking Participation Through Equity & Data

In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi sits down with Dr. Sarah Kaja [https://med.umn.edu/bio/sarah-kaja]to explore her work on increasing youth sport participation and improving the quality of organized programs. They examine how intersecting identities shape sport access and discuss her community‑engaged research designed to support adolescent health. Learn more about The Equitable Sport & Physical Activity Innovations (ESPI) Lab [https://med.umn.edu/pediatrics/research/research-laboratories-and-programs/espi] Topics covered include: * What intersectional findings from the Minnesota Student Survey tell us about disparities in participation. * How weight‑based bullying and body image affect girls’ involvement in sport. * How her lab is working with families and providers to design a socially connected sport program for trans and gender‑diverse youth.

Dr. Akilah Carter-Francique: Reclaiming Space in Sport, Education & Research

In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi reconnects with returning guest Dr. Akilah R. Carter-Francique [https://benedict.edu/faculty-and-staff/akilah-francique/]—Scholar, Activist, and Advocate for Sport Diversity & Education. They reflect on the unique role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in shaping the student-athlete experience, examine the ongoing gaps in belonging and representation for Black women in sport, and emphasize the power of affirming worthiness and voice in educational and athletic spaces.

Dr. Madeleine Orr: How Climate Change Is Reshaping Sport

In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi talks with sport ecologist and author Dr. Madeleine Orr—founder of the Sport Ecology Group [https://www.sportecology.org/] and lead author of the UN’s Sport for Nature report [https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/sports-nature-setting-baseline-handbook]—about how sport is both impacted by and contributing to climate change. They discuss the science behind sport disruptions, the limits of current adaptation strategies, and why reimagining major sporting events is key to meaningful climate action across all levels of sport. Topics Covered: * * How climate change is already disrupting youth, collegiate, and pro sport The difference between greenwashing and genuine climate adaptation in sportWhy it's time to rethink how, when, and where major sporting events are held

Dr. Sarah Zipp: Building Period-Friendly Coaching Tools

In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi and Anna Goorevich speak with Dr. Sarah Zipp, a global leader in sport, gender, and menstrual health. They discuss how her research and collaboration with the Tucker Center led to the development of two new ⁠Coaching HER®⁠ [https://www.coachingher.com/] modules on menstrual health. Topics covered include: * What are the key takeaways from the new Coaching HER® menstrual health modules? * What is “menstrual health education” and why does it matter in sport? * What did coaches say after using the modules? Follow the work of Dr. Zipp at ⁠PowerToPlayPeriod⁠ [https://powertoplayperiod.com/].

Dr. Julie McCleery: Advancing Equity Through Coach Education and Advocacy

In this episode of Tucker Center Talks, Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi speaks with Dr. Julie McCleery, Co-Director of the UW Center for Leadership in Athletics, about her impactful translational research and advocacy work. Together, they explore how applied scholarship and coach education can drive meaningful change for girls and women in sport. Topics covered include:• What coaching behaviors best support positive youth sport experiences?• How do gendered expectations and male-dominated systems affect women coaches?• What do elite female athletes say they need from sport science research?