In the ever-evolving realm of women’s sports, a few exceptional voices have come to define the conversation – voices that have spent years studying, advocating, and shaping the future of female athletics. Among these authorities is Risa Isard, a renowned women’s sports expert based at the University of Connecticut, a storied institution synonymous with excellence in women’s sports. As a leading thinker on the complexities of women’s sports, Isard has dedicated her career to understanding the intricacies of female athletic competition and the societal forces that influence it. In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of the triumphs, challenges, and ongoing efforts to promote women’s sports, we sat down with Isard for an in-depth conversation that sheds light on the most pressing issues and opportunities in women’s athletics today.
Risa Isard’s Expertise and Background
Risa Isard, Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut, is a renowned expert in women’s sports management. With a strong academic background and extensive industry experience, Isard has established herself as a leading voice in the field of sport management, particularly in the areas of stigma, equity, and intersectional diversity.
Early Life and Education
Isard’s early life and education laid the foundation for her future success. Born and raised in Wheeling, West Virginia, Isard developed a strong interest in sports and social change from a young age. She pursued her passion for social change at the intersection of culture, gender, and sports at Duke University, where she earned a B.A. in Social Change at the Intersection of Culture, Gender, and Sports. Her academic achievements were recognized through honors for her original research on the pre-history and early years of Title IX (1969-1975).
Isard’s academic journey continued at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned her Ph.D. in Management from the Isenberg School of Management and the Mark H. McCormack Department of Sport Management. Her dissertation, “Women’s Professional Sport and Stigma,” showcased her expertise in the field and cemented her position as a leading researcher in women’s sports management.
Academic and Professional Experience
Isard’s academic and professional experience have been instrumental in shaping her expertise in women’s sports management. Prior to her current role as Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut, Isard worked at the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program, where she launched and oversaw community-based initiatives, including the Project Play Summit, which featured Michelle Obama and Billie Jean King. She also developed the first online tool to grow access to sport and consulted for international partners.
Isard’s industry experience has been diverse, with roles as the founder of RISport, where she consults for sport organizations on issues of equity and inclusion, and as a staff member with Duke Women’s Basketball and the Phoenix Mercury. Her experience has provided her with a unique perspective on the challenges facing women’s sports and has informed her research in the field.
Research and Public Scholarship
Isard’s research focus on women’s sport, stigma, equity, and intersectional diversity has been widely recognized and respected. Her work has been featured at international festivals, such as SXSW, and in prominent media outlets, including MSNBC, the Associated Press, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Atlantic, Washington Post, ESPN, Ebony, CNN, NBC Sports, Vice, and Sports Business Journal.
Key Research Areas
- Stigma in the workplace: Isard’s research has explored the impact of stigma on the experiences of organizational stakeholders in women’s sports.
- Equity in sport organizations: Isard’s work has focused on promoting equity and inclusion in sport organizations, particularly in women’s sports.
- Intersectional diversity among sport stakeholders: Isard’s research has examined the experiences of diverse groups, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color, in the sports industry.
Industry Experience and Consulting
Isard’s industry experience has been diverse, with roles as the founder of RISport, where she consults for sport organizations on issues of equity and inclusion, and as a staff member with Duke Women’s Basketball and the Phoenix Mercury. Her experience has provided her with a unique perspective on the challenges facing women’s sports and has informed her research in the field.
Isard’s consulting experience has also focused on promoting equity and inclusion in sport organizations. She has worked with a range of clients, including sport organizations, leagues, and teams, to develop strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion.
Notable Publications and Presentations
Isard’s research has been published in a range of prestigious journals, including the Journal of Sport Management, Sport Marketing Quarterly, and Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. Her work has also been recognized through presentations at international conferences, including the annual meeting of the North American Society for Sport Management.
- Katz, M., Melton, E. N., Isard, R. F., & Agha, N. (2024). Fan networks in women’s sport: An egocentric analysis of social fans and isofans. Sport Marketing Quarterly.
- Isard, R. F., Melton, E. N., Delia, E. B. & Nite, C. (2023). Between profit and purpose: Employee responses to financial and social logics in women’s sport. Journal of Sport Management.
Impact and Influence
Isard’s research has had a significant impact on the sports industry, inspiring industry changes and related partnerships. Her work has been recognized through a range of awards and honors, including the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ) Research Award.
Isard’s influence extends beyond the academic community, with her research and public scholarship being featured in prominent media outlets. Her expertise has been sought by organizations and individuals looking to promote equity and inclusion in the sports industry.
Founding RISport and Consulting Work
Dr. Risa Isard is the founder of RISport, a consulting firm focused on equity and inclusion in sport organizations. With her expertise in sport management, she has worked with various organizations to advance equity for girls and women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color in the sports industry. Her consulting work has inspired industry changes and spurred related partnerships.
As a thought leader and public scholar, Isard’s research has been featured in prominent outlets such as MSNBC, the Associated Press, the New York Times, and ESPN. Her work has also been highlighted at the international festival SXSW and on popular podcasts like Takeline.
Previous Industry Roles
Prior to founding RISport, Isard held various roles in the sports industry. She was the first full-time employee for the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program, where she launched and oversaw community-based initiatives. She also developed the first online tool to grow access to sport and consulted for international partners.
Isard has also led thought leadership for the national nonprofit KABOOM! and oversaw key community and corporate initiatives for a minor league baseball team. Additionally, she held staff roles with Duke Women’s Basketball and the Phoenix Mercury.
Industry Partnerships and Collaborations
Isard has collaborated with various organizations, including the National Basketball Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation. Her partnerships have focused on advancing equity and inclusion in the sports industry.
Her research has inspired industry changes and has been featured in prominent outlets such as Sports Business Journal, NBC, Adweek, Global Sport Matters, and Quartz.
Teaching and Mentorship
Current Courses and Teaching Philosophy
Isard currently teaches Management of Sport Organizations and Sport Marketing at the University of Connecticut. Her teaching philosophy focuses on empowering students to become leaders in the sports industry.
Her approach to teaching emphasizes the importance of equity and inclusion in sport organizations. She encourages students to think critically about the social and cultural factors that influence the sports industry.
Mentorship and Student Engagement
Isard is committed to mentoring and engaging with students. She is involved in the Dean’s Doctoral Scholars program, which provides full tuition and a stipend to promising Ph.D. candidates.
Her mentorship approach focuses on inspiring and empowering students to become leaders in the sports industry. She provides guidance and support to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
Isard is passionate about inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders in the sports industry. She believes that equity and inclusion are essential for advancing the industry.
Through her teaching and mentorship, Isard aims to create a positive impact on the sports industry by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Personal and Professional Development
Hobbies and Interests
In her free time, Isard enjoys hiking, whitewater rafting, and listening to music. She is also interested in social change and community development.
Career Highlights and Challenges
Isard’s proudest career moment was when she was accepted into the Ph.D. program at the University of Massachusetts. She has also overcome obstacles and stayed motivated throughout her career.
Advice for Emerging Professionals
Isard advises emerging professionals in the sports industry to network, build relationships, and stay true to their values. She emphasizes the importance of equity and inclusion in advancing the industry.
Her advice is based on her own experiences and research, which have highlighted the importance of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sports industry.
Conclusion
As we conclude our in-depth conversation with women’s sports expert Risa Isard from the University of Connecticut, it’s clear that her insights into the ever-evolving landscape of women’s athletics offer a wealth of valuable information for sports enthusiasts, researchers, and advocates alike. From her observations on the impact of Title IX on women’s sports participation to her thoughts on the significance of representation in women’s sports media, Isard’s expertise shines a light on the complexities and nuances of a field that continues to grow and adapt. Her discussion on the importance of intersectionality and the need for more diverse storytelling in women’s sports also highlights the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to sports journalism.
The significance of Isard’s work extends far beyond the realm of women’s sports, with implications for broader social and cultural issues. Her emphasis on the importance of representation, diversity, and inclusion in sports media speaks directly to the ongoing conversations around social justice and equality. As we move forward, it’s clear that Isard’s work will play a significant role in shaping the future of women’s sports and the media that covers it. Her passion and expertise serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of telling the stories that need to be told and amplifying the voices that have been silenced for far too long.
As we close this conversation with Risa Isard, we’re left with a sense of hope and possibility. Her work is a testament to the power of sports to bring people together, to inspire, and to drive positive change. As we look to the future, it’s clear that the conversation around women’s sports will only continue to grow and evolve. One thing is certain: with experts like Risa Isard at the forefront, the future of women’s sports is brighter than ever.