New Chair continues legacy of Dr. Frank J. Hayden
For Western University researcher Laura Misener, sport has always been more than competition; it’s a catalyst for inclusion, equity and community transformation.
The Kinesiology Director and professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University has been researching sport for more than two decades.
Now, as the newly announced Dr. Frank J. Hayden Endowed Research Chair in Sport and Social Impact, Misener will have an opportunity to research and support the collective impact of the Special Olympics movement.
“I research sport for persons with disability more broadly, but I'm really excited about taking on this challenge to meet the needs of Special Olympics, bringing visibility to research for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Dr. Frank Hayden with athletes.
Initially established in 2018, the Chair was named in honour of Western alumnus and former faculty member Dr. Frank Hayden, BA ’55, whose research revealed a lack of opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities, resulting in poor physical fitness. His research drew attention from Eunice Kennedy Shriver in Washington, D.C. and became the basis for the inaugural Special Olympics Games in 1968. What began as a single event has since grown into a worldwide movement, now active in 177 countries and offering a diverse range of national and regional programs.
“Dr. Frank Hayden’s legacy is one of vision, compassion, and transformative impact — and Dr. Laura Misener is the perfect person to carry that legacy forward,” said Gail Hamamoto, CEO of Special Olympics Canada. “Her research has consistently demonstrated how sport can be a powerful driver of inclusion and social change, particularly for people with disabilities.”
Turning Research into Results for Special Olympics
As part of the role, the Chair will unite scholars, graduate students and partner organizations to explore the social impact of sport and physical activity, with a focus on social inclusion, health equity and mobility. Misener will also work with Special Olympics Canada to deliver research insights to Special Olympics communities, athletes, families and supporters.
“Through this Chair, Dr. Misener will bring her expertise to advancing inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities — the community at the heart of Special Olympics,” added Hamamoto. “In doing so, she will not only honour Dr. Hayden’s groundbreaking work but also expand its reach, ensuring that research translates into real-world benefits for athletes, families, and communities across Canada and beyond. We are proud to collaborate with Western as this important next chapter begins.”
For participants in Special Olympics — from grassroots community programs to Provincial/Territorial, National and World Games — the benefits for athletes, families and volunteers are clear. Misener believes that these integrated sport, health and leadership programs also generate broader community impact, creating opportunities to advance inclusion, improve health equity and shift societal perceptions of disability.
“Much of my work in the past has focused on the value of using events to drive social change. As part of this role, I’m going to look at how Special Olympics events have created new opportunities and how they can be drivers of more accessible opportunities and more inclusive thinking.”
Her plans for the role are rooted in experience. Misener has previously collaborated with leading disability sport organizations, including Special Olympics Canada, on research and policy initiatives aimed at enhancing sport’s role in promoting social well-being.
Dr. Frank Hayden with athletes.
She has also led the School of Kinesiology as Director for eight years. The School has a long-standing partnership with Special Olympics, hosting the Winter Special Games – an annual event that has taken place in Kinesiology and before that, the Faculty of Physical Education, for more than 50 years.
“Special Olympics has a long-standing history at Western, and Dr. Misener’s appointment is a natural continuation of that legacy,” said Shaun Boe, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. “She’s a passionate advocate for social inclusion in sport and a leading voice for equity in the field. This continued partnership with Special Olympics Canada is deeply meaningful, and it’s rewarding to see it thrive within the Faculty of Health Sciences.”
Chair Appointment Aligns with Provincial School Championships
The timing for this appointment comes as Western prepares to host the Special Olympics Ontario Provincial School Championships in May 2026. As one of the largest multi-sport games for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Canada, the event expects to bring more than 1,000 secondary school athletes and educators from across Ontario and Canada to Western.
As the Research Chair, Misener will have a unique opportunity to engage with athletes, families, coaches and volunteers at the heart of the Special Olympics movement, all with the goal to drive social change.
"I hope that through my work in this role, I can make an impact not only on those who participate in sport, but also on their families, the volunteers and the administrators who work so hard to support their programs. I believe we can do this in a more inclusive way – one that impacts people’s lives beyond sport and helps shape how we think about inclusion more broadly within society.”
