Brent McDonald

Dr Brent McDonald is a Lecturer in Sociology. Having played rugby union in Japan, Brent developed an interest in the cross cultural influences on sport. His PhD utilised sociological perspectives (particularly those of Pierre Bourdieu) to examine the position of sport in Japanese education.

His research into Japanese sport has been published in multiple international journals and has focused on areas such as Japanese masculinities, embodied learning and spiritual capital, the 'secondary' curriculum, and the effects of globalisation on Japanese sporting practice.

A major area of Brent's teaching and research is in the field of sport, inclusion and identity. In particular he engages in a critical analysis of dominant logic and normative practices of sport, coaching and sport cultures. With over 20 years experience as a player and coach of both rowing and rugby, Brent has an insider knowledge of various embodied practices that serve to include and exclude participation on the basis of sexuality, ethnicity, age and gender.

He is currently conducting research into the intersection of migration and sport participation with a specific focus on Pacific islanders. Other areas of interest include pedagogical processes in coaching, youth sports, diversity and inclusion, and masculinities.