Alex Channon

Alex Channon is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and Sport Studies at the University of Brighton, having previously taught at Loughborough University, the University of Greenwich and Syracuse University. His research interests encompass various thematic issues within the sociology of sport and physical education, focusing primarily on martial arts and combat sports.

Here, Alex has explored the relationship between gender, sexuality and participation; the value of martial arts within physical education curricula; media representations of professional fighters; the construction of meaning around notions of ‘violence’ among martial artists; and most recently the provision of medical support in combat sports. These interests have largely been pursued through the use of sociological theory and qualitative investigation, exploring themes such as identity, embodiment, and the social construction of meaning.

Alex is the co-founder of the combat sports-based anti-violence initiative, Love Fighting Hate Violence. He currently sits on the editorial board of Sociology of Sport Journal and is a board member of the Martial Arts Studies Research Network.