Affiliated Researchers

Carla Filomena Silva 

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Carla Filomena Silva is an independent scholar and social scientist of physical activity and health. Carla’s research focuses on key cultural aspects of disability physical activity sport as a marginal field, such as the media representation of disability sport as well as ideologies and practices of disability sporting communities. Theoretically, she is driven by the potential offered by the intersection of different academic fields such as disability studies, political philosophy and sociology to explore the empowerment potential of physical activity and sport for people who experience disability. She is passionate about exploring theoretical tools to frame and develop professional education approaches to reduce health and social inequities more broadly. In the past four years she was an Assistant Professor in the Schools of Health Studies and Kinesiology at Western University (Canada). Carla has also held the position of Lecturer in the School of Education in the Faculty of Science and Technology at Nottingham Trent University (UK). Prior to that, Carla was the academic research leader for the UNESCO Chair in Inclusive PE, Sport, Fitness and Recreation, at the Institute of Technology, Tralee (Ireland).

Marwan Hellal 

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Marwan Hellal, Ph.D., is a research associate in the Health and Physical Cultures for Social Justice Lab, bringing distinguished expertise in sociocultural studies in sports. Specializing in sports ethics, Marwan has dedicated his academic and professional career to advancing ethical practices within para-sport sectors and the broader athletics field. Having earned distinction throughout his educational journey — from a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Biotechnology at German University in Cairo, MA in Sports Ethics from Swansea University, Wales, to a Doctorate in Health Sciences from Western University, Canada — his scholarly dedication speaks volumes. Marwan's doctoral dissertation on "Technological Fair Play" underscores his commitment to addressing emergent ethical dilemmas within sport governance. Beyond academia, he has contributed as an executive board member at the International Centre for Olympic Studies (ICOS) and lent his expertise as a doping control officer with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Fluent in English and Arabic, Marwan's international background enriches our lab’s perspective on global health inequalities and social justice issues intertwined with physical cultures. His published works critically explore doping practices’ sociocultural implications, advocating for fairness across Olympics dimensions. As we continue striving towards comprehensive discussions around health equity through sport cultures’ lens, Dr. Hellal’s thought-provoking insights are invaluable assets to our team’s endeavour.