QRSE2026 Distinguished Scholar Award – Professor Katherine Tamminen

 

It gives us great honour to announce that the Distinguished Scholar Award for the International Society of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise is bestowed upon Professor Katherine Tamminen. This award is given by an esteemed committee to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution and demonstratable impact over time to qualitative research in our field and beyond.

 

Katherine has been recognised for her pioneering work in sport and exercise psychology. This award ensures her huge contribution to qualitative work is rightly honoured. Her work has pushed methodological boundaries in terms of open qualitative research, arts-based work, narrative analysis, grounded theory, and participant generated AI visual methods. Her empirical insights have advanced theory, knowledge and practice. That includes work on emotions, coping, stressors, mental health, and youth sport, just to name a few.

 

I had the privilege of working on several projects with Katherine. She was though much more than an outstanding qualitative scholar. This award takes very seriously not just what a person produces in terms of research outputs. The Distinguished Scholar Award is also about honouring individuals who have supported the qualitative community and society in general. We would not be all here without Katherine stepping up and taking on board the incredibly time-consuming task of leading and organising an international conference. If you have never organised one, then you will have no idea just how much work and dedication it involves. We are immensely grateful for this.

 

People in this room at QRSE2026, and those who sadly are not here but are spread across the globe, are also no doubt incredibly grateful for what Katherine has done in terms of mentoring young academics and supporting many students. She did this in ways that go beyond what is expected of a Professor. Students and academics – we – have benefited immensely from Katherine’s generosity, dedication, kindness, enthusiasm, and humour. As well as an immensely talented scholar, Katherine was a great person. Let us not forget her. Let us celebrate her this week and beyond.

 

Brett Smith (Co-founder and Past-President)

Toni Williams (Co-founder and current QRSE President)