HeadsupCan Research
Sport Related Concussion Research
We focus on bridging the gap between academic findings and real-world application to support safer, more informed sports communities.
Research committee
Statement of Purpose (our Why)
To ensure that developments in the field of sport-related concussion (SRC) research reach the communities they impact most. Our goal is to bring the lived experience of SRC to light by sharing research insights from various stakeholder perspectives, including athletes, sport stakeholders, policymakers, and anyone impacted by concussions in sports.
Who we aim to serve
We aim to serve a diverse audience, primarily athletes, sports stakeholders, and policy makers, but also anyone in the broader sports community who is affected by or invested in understanding the implications of sport-related concussions. Our work is for individuals who face the realities of concussion-related injuries and those who shape the policies, safety measures, and standards that govern sports safety.
Area of Inquiry
Our research committee focuses on qualitative research within the domain of sport-related concussions. By engaging deeply with the personal experiences and expert knowledge surrounding SRC, we aim to contribute meaningful insights that resonate across the sports ecosystem while leading in Knowledge Mobilization.
Gaps in the Literature (The Need)
While significant strides have been made in SRC research, much of the knowledge generated remains out of reach for those who stand to benefit the most. Research groups and organizations do tremendous work to develop clinical guidelines, treatment protocols, and specialized studies. However, many of these initiatives serve specific agendas, which often overlook broader access and translation of knowledge.
There is a pressing need for facilitators in the SRC space. Our committee seeks to bridge the gap between research and the sports community by making SRC findings more accessible and actionable for everyone impacted by concussions. We aim to go beyond conducting research for research’s sake—our primary focus is supporting knowledge sharing through comprehensive reviews, multimedia initiatives, educational outreach, and by exploring new methods to improve knowledge translation (KT) and knowledge mobilization (KM).
Committee Members
Michael Jorgensen, PhD (c)
Michael Jorgensen is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education along with the Committee Chair and HeadsupCAN Research Director.
Michael’s research seeks to improve current approaches to sport-related concussion prevention by furthering our understanding of why athletes engage in risk-taking and protective behaviours. Specifically, his research critically examines how constructions of risk influence athlete behaviour. Michael is exploring the tensions between risk tolerance and risk aversion and how these affect athletes’ thresholds of acceptable risk. In collaboration with provincial and national sporting bodies, his research has also examined the roles and experiences of actors within a sport system as novel policies and risk management strategies are introduced into competitions.
X (Twitter): Mike_Jorgie
Research Gate: Link
Kaleigh Pennock, PhD
Dr. Kaleigh Pennock is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Health, at the University of Waterloo.
She completed her PhD in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and her postdoctoral training in the School of Kinesiology at Western University. Her concussion research focuses on understanding risk and responsibility in sport and youth athletes’ concussion experiences. Dr. Pennock’s work highlights the interconnected personal, social, and cultural processes that influence athletes’ risk behaviours and decision-making concerning concussion reporting, and the responsibility of various sport leaders in managing athlete safety and well-being.
X (Twitter): kaleigh_pennock
Research Gate: Link
Roxy O’Rourke, phd(c)
Roxy O’Rourke is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
Roxy’s research is centered on quality sport experiences and mental health of individuals experiencing disabilities. For their doctoral research, Roxy is working alongside athletes experiencing disabilities and coaches within disability sport to co-create a mental health educational program for use in sport for individuals experiencing disabilities. Roxy prioritizes centering the participant experience within their research through inclusive research programs and community partnerships. Within concussion research, Roxy was a research assistant for the University of Toronto and Special Olympics collaboration to develop ‘A Guide for Students & Athletes of All Abilities’ – an expert panel led re-design of the Rowan’s law concussion guide to ensure accessible language for individuals with disabilities.
X (Twitter): RoxyHORourke
Research Gate: Link
Nikolaus Dean, Phd
Dr. Nikolaus Dean is a SSHRC-funded postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Dr. Dean’s work is broadly situated in the sociology of sport where he uses critical social theories to explore topics related to concussion, pain, injury, risk, and disability in action sports. Dr. Dean’s current research is focused on exploring the emerging action sports of adaptive skateboarding and wheelchair motocross (WCMX) and disabled riders’ experiences with these sporting cultures.
X (Twitter): dean_nikolaus
Research Gate: Link
Ryan Sutton, ma
Ryan is the co-founder of HeadsupCAN and initially started the organization as a result of his sport related concussions.
Ryan completed his Master’s Degree at Brock University writing a thesis project called “The Sport Related Concussion Experience”. He has also completed the Knowledge Translation Professional Certificate (KTPC) from Sick Kids and the University of Toronto School of Medicine to further his passion and skill set for Knowledge Translation and Mobilization.
His ultimate vision is to blend leading edge research with high level knowledge mobilization to positively shift peoples understanding of concussions.
Current Projects
A Community-Based Approach to Concussion Reporting in Youth Girls’ Sport
SSHRC Insight Development Grant
Dr. Kaleigh Pennock, Dr. Nick Reed, Dr. Jeffrey Caron, Ryan Sutton
Join our team
If you are an established Researcher, graduate student or someone who is interested in concussion research, get in touch with us today to see how we can begin collaborating!