Dr Han Newman

A qualitative researcher and applied sport and exercise psychology practitioner with research experience spanning the fields of sport and exercise psychology, sociology of sport, public health, sport for development, and sociolegal studies. Eight years of experience in research roles, deploying qualitative methods (including auto/ethnography and embedded ethnography) across diverse projects examining gender, body image, mental health, physical activity, weight management, community health, and elite sport.

Research Roles & Experience

Research Fellow, University of Hertfordshire (2023-Present)

Senior Research Assistant, University of Hertfordshire (2022-2023)

Research Associate, Loughborough University (2018-2021)

Research Reports

Newman, H. & Brady, L-M. (2023). Empower Evaluation. University of Hertfordshire. University of Hertfordshire. https://doi.org/10.18745/PB.26334

Newman, H., Brady, L.M., Almack, K., Mathie, E., & Wills, W.J. (2023). BeeZee Bodies Embedded Ethnography Evaluation Project. University of Hertfordshire. https://doi.org/10.18745/PB.26050

Cooper, D., Emerton, R., Grabham, R., Newman, H.J.H., Peel, E., Renz, F., & Smith, J. (2022). Abolishing legal sex status: The challenge and consequences of gender related law reform. Future of Legal Gender Project. Final Report. King’s College London, UK. Access here.

Papathomas, A., Petrie, T., Moesch, K., & Newman, H. (2021). Body Image Experiences in Retired Olympians: Knowledge, Awareness, and Prevention. Access here.

Newman, H., Leicht, C., & Papathomas, A. (2021). Physical Activity Promotion in the Thalidomide Population: Final Report. Access here.

Academic Publications

Sport and Exercise

Cree, J. A., Newman, H. J.H., Norris, L. A., Oates, L. W., & Turner, A. N. (2026). Ecological perspectives on épée fencing footwork: a Delphi study of coaching and progression. Perceptual and Motor Skills. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125261418346  

Cree, J. A., Newman, H. J.H., Norris, L. A., Oates, L. W., & Turner, A. N. (2026). Exploring the physical attributes of elite épée fencing: a Delphi study of world-class coaches. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. https://doi.org/10.23736/s0022-4707.25.17379-9 

Newman, H.J.H., Nyhagen, L. & Thurnell-Read, T. (2024). Moral, health and aesthetic risks: performance-enhancing drug use and the culture of silence in the UK strongwoman community. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2024.2440448 

Papathomas, A., Petrie, T., Moesch, K. & Newman, H.J.H. (2024). Body image experiences in retired Olympians: Losing the embodied self. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102792 

Newman, H.J.H. (2024). Becoming a strongwoman: An auto/ethnographic study of the pursuit of strength, power, and gender aesthetics. In L. Nyhagen & J. Cooke (eds.) Intersectional Feminist Research Methodologies. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003399575 

Pattinson, E.M., Newman, H.J.H. & Gabbay, L.R. (2022). Challenges accessing physical activity from a transgender perspective: A systematic review. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpssepr.2022.17.2.19

Newman, H.J.H. & Witcomb G.L. (2022). Ripping up the rulebook: Challenges and opportunities in moving beyond the binary. In G. L. Witcomb & E. Peel (eds.) Gender Diversity and Sport: Interdisciplinary perspectives on increasing inclusivity. London: Routledge.

Newman, H.J.H., Howells, K.L., & Fletcher, D. (2016). The dark side of top level sport: An autobiographical study of depressive experiences in elite sport performers. Frontiers in Psychology, 7 (868). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00868

Public Health

Newman, H.J.H., Brady, L.M., Mathie, E., Almack, K. & Wills, W. (2025). Becoming embedded: A process evaluation of weight management services developed with, not for, communities. Journal of Critical Public Health, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.55016/ojs/jcph.vi.78591

Scott, R.J., Mathie, E., Newman, H.J.H., Almack, K. & Brady, L.M. (2024). Commissioning and co-production in health and care services in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An exploratory literature review. Health Expectations. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.14053 

Other

Peel, E. & Newman, H.J.H. (2023). “I don’t think that’s something I’ve ever thought about really before”: A thematic discursive analysis of lay people’s talk about legal gender. Feminist Legal Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10691-022-09508-3

Newman, H.J.H. & Peel, E. (2022). “An impossible dream?”: Non-binary people’s perceptions of legal gender status and reform. Psychology & Sexuality. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2022.2039753

Peel, E. & Newman, H.J.H. (2020). Gender’s wider stakes: Lay attitudes to legal gender reform. Feminists@Law. 10 (2). https://doi.org/10.22024/UniKent/03/fal.953