Staff profile

Toni joined the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences in January 2022 from Leeds Beckett University. Prior to that, she was a Glendonbrook Doctoral Research Fellow at Loughborough University. Her research in physical activity and disability focuses on understanding the physical activity experiences of disabled people and effective physical activity promotion. Through working with healthcare professionals, charities, sport organisations and disabled people, this line of research has sought to identify and address the barriers to sport and exercise participation. Toni is also interested in how disabled people’s overlapping identities and experiences intersect to contribute to the inequalities they face in leading a physically active lifestyle. 

Toni’s research also explores the use and development of qualitative research methods and methodologies to conceptually advance sport and exercise psychology research. This includes the use of meta-synthesis (e.g., qualitative evidence synthesis, thematic synthesis, meta-study etc.), narrative inquiry and novel methods of data collection such as timelining and story completion. This research draws upon innovative and integrated methods to create more engaging projects and collect qualitative data in new and exciting ways.

Her funded work in these areas has been published in leading international journals such as Health Psychology Review, Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, Psychology of Sport and Exercise and she has published book chapters in key textbooks including the Routledge Handbook of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (2016) and The Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology (2020). Toni has also been invited to lead qualitative training workshops at conferences and events both nationally and internationally (e.g., Denmark, Canada).

Toni is involved in various professional and scholarly activities. For example, she is a founding member and treasurer of the new International Society for Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (Twitter: @QRSEsoc Website: www.qrsesoc.com) launched in 2020. She was also the co-chair of the highly successful 4^th International Conference on Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (QRSE2014) and is co-chair of the upcoming 8^th International Conference on Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise to be held in Durham in July 2022 (Twitter: @QRSE2022 Website: www.qrsesoc.com/conference).

Twitter: @T_L_WilliamsPhD 

Google scholar: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=IrBH7dcAAAAJ&hl=en

PhD Students

Toni welcomes PhDs applications in any area relating to disability, sport and physical activity that aligns with the broad research themes concerning reducing health inequalities, promoting social justice and improving the lives of disabled people.

Chapter in book

• Williams, T. (2021). Spinal cord injury and sport . In A. Gledhill & D. Forsdyke (Eds.). In The psychology of sports injury. From risk to retirement (193-201). Routledge
• Williams, T., & Smith, B. (2020). Qualitative methods. In D. Hackford & R. J. Schinke (Eds.). In The Routledge international encyclopedia of sport and exercise psychology volume one: Theoretical and methodological concepts (pp. 524-534). Routledge
• Curran, T., & Williams, T. (2020). Meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. In D. Hackford & R. J. Schinke (Eds.). In The Routledge international encyclopedia of sport and exercise psychology volume one: Theoretical and methodological concepts (pp. 275-290). Routledge
• Williams, T. (2020). Narratives matter! Storying sport injury experiences. In R. Wadey (Ed.). In Sport injury psychology: Cultural, relational, methodological, and applied considerations (pp. 13-24). Routledge
• Brighton, J., & Williams, T. (2018). Using interviews to explore experiences of disability in sport and physical activity. In R. Medcalf & C. Mackintosh (Eds.). In Researching difference in sport and physical activity (pp. 25-40). Routledge
• Williams, T., & Smith, B. (2017). Disability and physical activity. In J. Piggin, L. Mansfield, & M. Weed (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Physical Activity Policy and Practice (284-297). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315672779-20
• Williams, T., & Shaw, R. (2016). Synthesising qualitative research: Meta-synthesis in sport and exercise. In B. Smith & A.C. Sparkes (Eds.). In Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise (pp. 274-288). Routledge
• Smith, B., McGannon, K., & Williams, T. (2015). Ethnographic creative nonfiction: Exploring the whats, whys and hows. In Ethnographies in Sport and Exercise Research (59-73). Taylor and Francis
• A Review (202-225). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315813059

Journal Article

• Stanger, N., Kaiseler, M., & Williams, T. L. (2024). Linking pre-performance stress appraisals with emotions in sport. International journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 19(6), 2388-2396. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241259726
• Simpson, R., Didymus, F., & Williams, T. (2024). Organizational stress and well-being in competitive sport: a systematic review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 116-144. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984x.2021.1975305
• Pereira Vargas, M., Papathomas, A., Williams, T., Kinnafick, F.-E., & Rhodes, P. (2024). Diverse paradigms and stories: mapping ‘mental illness’ in athletes through meta-study. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17(1), 343-369. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984x.2021.2001840
• Giouridis, N., Williams, T., McKenna, J., & Tomasone, J. (2024). Exploring Conceptualizations of Disability Using Story-Completion Methods. Disabilities, 4(3), 568-582. https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4030036
• Birchall, I., Lawson, J., Williams, T., & Latimer-Cheung, A. (2024). What is a parasport coach’s role during athlete classification? Exploring how parasport coaches learn about classification and their role within this process. International Sport Coaching Journal, 11(2), 189-198. https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2022-0044
• Williams, T. L., Patterson, L. B., Heyes, A. R., Staff, H. R., Boardley, I. D., Petróczi, A., & Backhouse, S. H. (2024). Barriers and enablers in doping, anti-doping, and clean sport: A qualitative meta-synthesis informed by the theoretical domains framework and COM-B model. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 72, Article 102608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102608
• Stanger, N., Jowett, G. E., Kaiseler, M., & Williams, T. L. (2024). Linking Perfectionism with Moral Behaviors in Sport: The Mediating Role of Burnout and Moral Disengagement. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2023.2294096
• Willmott, E. F., Thrower, S. N., Williams, T. L., & Petróczi, A. (2023). The perfect storm: A meta-ethnography of the motivations, behaviours, and experiences of competitive bodybuilders. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2023.2263851
• Simpson, R. A., Didymus, F. F., & Williams, T. L. (2023). Interpersonal psychological well-being among coach-athlete-sport psychology practitioner triads. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 67, Article 102435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102435
• Giouridis, N., Williams, T., & Tomasone, J. (2023). Physical activity promotion to persons with spinal cord injury by health and exercise professionals: A scoping review. The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 46(1), 126-145. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790268.2021.1977061
• Lawson, J. A., Williams, T., & Latimer-Cheung, A. E. (2023). Exploring athletes’ and classifiers’ experiences with and understanding of classification in Para sport. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 15(4), 516-531. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2022.2152084
• Williams, T., Lozano-Sufrategui, L., & Tomasone, J. (2022). Stories of physical activity and disability: exploring sport and exercise students’ narrative imagination through story completion. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 14(5), 687-705. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2021.2001031
• Daly-Smith, A., Morris, J. L., Norris, E., Williams, T. L., Archbold, V., Kallio, J., Tammelin, T. H., Singh, A., Mota, J., von Seelen, J., Pesce, C., Salmon, J., McKay, H., Bartholomew, J., & Resaland, G. K. (2021). Behaviours that prompt primary school teachers to adopt and implement physically active learning: a meta synthesis of qualitative evidence. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18(1), Article 151. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01221-9
• Man, K., Williams, T., Barnim, N., Shirazipour, C., Latimer-Cheung, A., & Tomasone, J. (2021). Exploring how the process of quality participation unfolds for volunteers in community-based exercise programs for persons with disabilities. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 13(2), 300-324. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2020.1727554
• Brighton, J., Townsend, R. C., Campbell, N., & Williams, T. L. (2020). Moving Beyond Models: Theorizing Physical Disability in the Sociology of Sport. Sociology of Sport Journal, 38(4), https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.2020-0012
• Stork, M., Williams, T., & Martin Ginis, K. (2020). Unpacking the debate: A qualitative investigation of first-time experiences with interval exercise. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 51, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101788
• Massey, W., & Williams, T. (2020). Sporting Activities for Individuals Who Experienced Trauma During Their Youth: A Meta-Study. Qualitative Health Research, 30(1), 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732319849563
• Jackson, J., Williams, T., McEachern, B., Latimer-Cheung, A., & Tomasone, J. (2019). Fostering quality experiences: Qualitative perspectives from program members and providers in a community-based exercise program for adults with physical disabilities. Disability and Health Journal, 12(2), 296-301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2018.11.008
• Williams, T., Smith, B., & Papathomas, A. (2018). Physical activity promotion for people with spinal cord injury: physiotherapists’ beliefs and actions. Disability and Rehabilitation, 40(1), 52-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2016.1242176
• Williams, T., Hunt, E., Papathomas, A., & Smith, B. (2018). Exercise is medicine? Most of the time for most; but not always for all. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 10(4), 441-456. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2017.1405363
• Williams, T. (2018). Exploring narratives of physical activity and disability over time: A novel integrated qualitative methods approach. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 37, 224-234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.09.004
• Williams, T., Ma, J., & Martin Ginis, K. (2017). Participant experiences and perceptions of physical activity-enhancing interventions for people with physical impairments and mobility limitations: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research evidence. Health Psychology Review, 11(2), 179-196. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2017.1299027
• Papathomas, A., Williams, T., & Smith, B. (2015). Understanding physical activity participation in spinal cord injured populations: Three narrative types for consideration. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 10(1), Article 27295. https://doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v10.27295
• Williams, T., Smith, B., & Papathomas, A. (2014). The barriers, benefits and facilitators of leisure time physical activity among people with spinal cord injury: a meta-synthesis of qualitative findings. Health Psychology Review, 8(4), 404-425. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2014.898406