Staff profile

Toni Williams joined Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences in January 2022 from Leeds Beckett University, having previously held a Glendonbrook Doctoral Research Fellowship at Loughborough University.

Her research addresses inequalities in physical activity among Disabled people. She currently leads a transdisciplinary research project with Disability Rights UK investigating the Activity Trap: Disabled people's fear of losing welfare benefits if they become physically active. Toni is also a Co-Investigator on the award-winning, co-produced Moving Social Care project, which supports social care professionals in adopting an intersectional approach to discussing and promoting physical activity with Disabled people.

Toni is internationally recognised for her work in qualitative research methods and methodologies. She explores innovative and integrated approaches, including co-production and story completion methods, to advance conceptual understanding within sport and exercise research and to develop more engaging and inclusive research practices. She is Co-Founder and current President of the International Society of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (QRSE) and serves on the Editorial Review Board of the International Journal of Qualitative Methods. She also delivers qualitative research training and workshops at national and international events and conferences, supporting researchers across a range of disciplines.

Her funded research has been published in leading international journals, including Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, and Disability and Health Journal. She has also contributed chapters to several influential texts, including The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Culture (2025), Reimagining the Gendering of Sport (2025), and Narrative Story Stem Methodologies: Research Approaches Across the Lifespan (2025).

Research Interests

-          Disability

-          Physical Activity

-          Intersectionality

-          Qualitative Research

-          Co-production

Esteem Indicators

-          Conference committee member of the 10th International Conference on Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (QRSE2026), University of Toronto, Canada, 2026

-          President of the International Society of Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (QRSE), 2024 – Present.

-          Editorial Board Member of International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2024 – Present.

-          Co-chair of the 8th International Conference on Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise (QRSE2022), Durham University, UK, 2022.

-          Co-founder and Treasurer of QRSE, 2020 – 2024.

Publication Information

-          Google Scholar

-          Scopus

-          Research Gate

PhD Supervision

Toni welcomes expressions of interest from prospective PhD students whose research interests align with disability, physical activity, and intersectionality. She is particularly keen to support projects using qualitative and participatory methodologies, including co-production and other approaches that foreground lived experience and social justice.

Chapter in book

• Research Co-Production in Sport & Physical Culture: What is co-production, why do it, and how might it be practiced, evaluated, and moved forward?
  
  Smith, B., & Williams, T. (2025). Research Co-Production in Sport & Physical Culture: What is co-production, why do it, and how might it be practiced, evaluated, and moved forward? In M. D. Giardina, M. K. Donnelly, & D. J. Waldman (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research in Sport and Physical Culture. SAGE Publications.
• Trauma and spinal cord injury: Reflections from research into physical activity and sport
  
  Williams, T. L., & Brighton, J. (2024). Trauma and spinal cord injury: Reflections from research into physical activity and sport. In J. McMahon & K. R. McGannon (Eds.), Trauma Informed Research in Sport Exercise and Health Qualitative Methods (pp. 159-175). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003332909-13
• Spinal cord injury and sport . In A. Gledhill & D. Forsdyke (Eds.).
  
  Williams, T. (2021). Spinal cord injury and sport . In A. Gledhill & D. Forsdyke (Eds.). In The psychology of sports injury. From risk to retirement. (pp. 193-201). Routledge.
• Meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. In D. Hackford & R. J. Schinke (Eds.).
  
  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.
• Narratives matter! Storying sport injury experiences. In R. Wadey (Ed.).
  
  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.
• Qualitative methods. In D. Hackford & R. J. Schinke (Eds.).
  
  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.
• Using interviews to explore experiences of disability in sport and physical activity. In R. Medcalf & C. Mackintosh (Eds.).
  
  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.
• Disability and physical activity
  
  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 (pp. 284-297). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315672779-20
• Synthesising qualitative research: Meta-synthesis in sport and exercise. In B. Smith & A.C. Sparkes (Eds.).
  
  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.
• Ethnographic creative nonfiction: Exploring the whats, whys and hows
  
  Smith, B., McGannon, K., & Williams, T. (2015). Ethnographic creative nonfiction: Exploring the whats, whys and hows. In Ethnographies in Sport and Exercise Research (pp. 59-73). Taylor and Francis.
• Qualitative methods and conceptual advances in sport psychology
  
  Smith, B., Caddick, N., & Williams, T. (2015). Qualitative methods and conceptual advances in sport psychology. In S. Mellalieu & S. Hanton (Eds.), Contemporary Advances in Sport Psychology:A Review (pp. 202-225). Taylor and Francis. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315813059

Journal Article

• Intersectionality and co-production in disability and physical activity research; Critical reflections on promise, negotiation and transformation
  
  Williams, T., Gabriel, A., Falcon, T., Bunbury, S., Marks, K., Bigord, N., Edwards, R. T., Voyle, C., & Whawell, S. (2026). Intersectionality and co-production in disability and physical activity research; Critical reflections on promise, negotiation and transformation. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2026.2616516
• 25 years of qualitative research in sport and exercise Psychology: How did it Go? and what now?
  
  Smith, B., Roderick, M., Hockin-Boyers, H., Monforte, J., Williams, T. L., Jachyra, P., Dodd-Reynolds, C., & Phoenix, C. (2025). 25 years of qualitative research in sport and exercise Psychology: How did it Go? and what now? Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 81, Article 102958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102958
• The perfect storm: A meta-ethnography of the motivations, behaviours, and experiences of competitive bodybuilders
  
  Willmott, E. F., Thrower, S. N., Williams, T. L., & Petróczi, A. (2025). The perfect storm: A meta-ethnography of the motivations, behaviours, and experiences of competitive bodybuilders. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 18(1), 572-591. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2023.2263851
• School-based factors influencing physical activity participation in children and adolescents with disabilities: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis
  
  Deng, Y., Li, X., Huang, J., Haegele, J. A., Smith, B., Williams, T. L., & Li, C. (2025). School-based factors influencing physical activity participation in children and adolescents with disabilities: A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis. Disability and Health Journal, 18(1), Article 101707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101707
• Linking pre-performance stress appraisals with emotions in sport
  
  Stanger, N., Kaiseler, M., & Williams, T. L. (2024). Linking pre-performance stress appraisals with emotions in sport. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 19(6), 2388-2396. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241259726
• Exploring Conceptualizations of Disability Using Story-Completion Methods
  
  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
• What is a parasport coach’s role during athlete classification? Exploring how parasport coaches learn about classification and their role within this process
  
  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
• Barriers and enablers in doping, anti-doping, and clean sport: A qualitative meta-synthesis informed by the theoretical domains framework and COM-B model
  
  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
• Diverse paradigms and stories: mapping ‘mental illness’ in athletes through meta-study
  
  Pereira Vargas, M., Papathomas, A., Williams, T., Kinnafick, F., & 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
• Organizational stress and well-being in competitive sport: a systematic review
  
  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
• Linking Perfectionism with Moral Behaviors in Sport: The Mediating Role of Burnout and Moral Disengagement
  
  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, 95(3), 646-655. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2023.2294096
• Interpersonal psychological well-being among coach-athlete-sport psychology practitioner triads
  
  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
• Physical activity promotion to persons with spinal cord injury by health and exercise professionals: A scoping review
  
  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
• Exploring athletes’ and classifiers’ experiences with and understanding of classification in Para sport
  
  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
• Stories of physical activity and disability: exploring sport and exercise students’ narrative imagination through story completion
  
  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
• Behaviours that prompt primary school teachers to adopt and implement physically active learning: a meta synthesis of qualitative evidence
  
  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
• Exploring how the process of quality participation unfolds for volunteers in community-based exercise programs for persons with disabilities
  
  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
• Unpacking the debate: A qualitative investigation of first-time experiences with interval exercise
  
  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
• Moving Beyond Models: Theorizing Physical Disability in the Sociology of Sport
  
  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
• Sporting Activities for Individuals Who Experienced Trauma During Their Youth: A Meta-Study
  
  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
• Fostering quality experiences: Qualitative perspectives from program members and providers in a community-based exercise program for adults with physical disabilities
  
  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
• Physical activity promotion for people with spinal cord injury: physiotherapists’ beliefs and actions
  
  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
• Exercise is medicine? Most of the time for most; but not always for all
  
  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
• Exploring narratives of physical activity and disability over time: A novel integrated qualitative methods approach
  
  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
• Participant experiences and perceptions of physical activity-enhancing interventions for people with physical impairments and mobility limitations: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research evidence
  
  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
• Understanding physical activity participation in spinal cord injured populations: Three narrative types for consideration
  
  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 (QHW), 10(1), Article 27295. https://doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v10.27295
• The barriers, benefits and facilitators of leisure time physical activity among people with spinal cord injury: a meta-synthesis of qualitative findings
  
  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