Dr. Christos Anagnostopoulos is within the College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, in Qatar. He is also the Founder, Director and the co-Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Governance and Social Responsibility in Sport. He graduated from University of Birmingham, England and he holds a Master’s by Research from University of London (Birkbeck), as well as a PhD from Coventry Business School (UK). He also holds an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School, while he is completing a Graduate Diploma in Management at London School of Economics (LSE). The crux of his research lies in examining organizational processes and concepts that facilitate (or sometimes destroy) value creation in sport (from both OT and OB perspective).

Dr Efstathios Christodoulides is the Course Leader in BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Central Lancashire Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus). In 2022 and Co-Chair of the UNESCO Chair on Governance and Social Responsibility in Sport. In 2021.

As a Fulbright scholar, he conducted research and taught in New York, USA, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States, and supported by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the United Kingdom, adhering to the U.K. Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) for teaching and supporting learning in higher education. He serves as the Country Lead for the International Physical Literacy Association (IPLA), overseeing in-country development projects aligned with IPLA's strategic objectives. He has been appointed by the Cyprus Anti-Doping Authority (CyADA) as a National Anti-Doping Educator and is a certified trainer of the UK Anti-Doping Organization (UKAD).

Among his research interests, Dr Christodoulides is investigating how VR technologies play a role in the physical activity participation of different age groups and how they constitute a tool for education, digital readiness and competency. Part of his work falls within the networks of European consortia working on topics related to using VR for Anti-Doping Education and Physical Education.

Greg Duquette is a Teaching Professor in the University of New Brunswick Faculty of Kinesiology, with a focus in sport management. While teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in UNB’s multi-disciplinary Faculty, Greg also served as Assistant Dean-Undergraduate (2017-2020), as well as coordinated Kinesiology’s diverse experiential learning portfolio (2014-22).

His management research has focused on the role and value of sport organizations, events, and facilities in communities. Duquette is a member of the UNB Kin’s Virtual Reality Lab interested in the intersection of VR with physical activity and human movement.

Dr. Emily Hayday’s research interests relate to sports participation and community-level, grass root sports. Previous research has investigated the policy implementation processes undertaken within National Governing Bodies, exploring the perceptions and attitudes of senior managers towards SMEs.

Some of Emily's additional research into the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has investigated the legacy and capitalization opportunities for non-traditional English sports, such as Judo and Fencing. Emily is also interested in sport for development, and her previous role at the West Ham United Foundation allowed practical involvement with community and educational programs, which aimed to increase social mobility and provide opportunities for young people within East London communities.

Dr. Sakis Pappous is a multilingual scholar with a strong European and international academic background which has been enriched by studies and professional experience in different countries (Greece, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Brazil and Colombia). Sakis joined the University of Bologna as a Professor (full-time) in October 2022. Prior to this, Sakis was employed as a Professor and Reader for 13 consecutive years in the United Kingdom; first at the University of Kent and later on at the University of Bournemouth. In both Universities, he was honoured to have important leadership roles (Head of School, Deputy Head of Department) and he also founded two research groups.

Dr. Alana Thomson Dr Alana Thomson is a Dr Alana Thomson is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management and Marketing, La Trobe Business School. Alana has previously held academic appointments at Federation University and Griffith University.

Alana received her doctorate from the University of Technology Sydney in 2015, with her thesis entitled The Influence of an Interorganisational Network Associated with a Large-Scale Sport Event on Sport Development Legacies: A Case Study of the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games.

Alana’s research interests include sport event legacies and women’s participation in sport. Her research has been published in leading sport management journals including European Sport Management Quarterly, Sport Management Review and the Journal of Sport Management.

Alana has also developed an impressive learning and teaching portfolio in both teaching and curriculum design with a keen focus on authentic pedagogies and digital literacy. Alana also has a strong track record of industry engagement in both teaching and research. Alana is a current Board Member of the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ).

Prof. Mathieu Winand, is a Professor of Sport Management and Head of Department of Management at LUNEX International University of Health, Exercise and Sports in Luxembourg. He is also the Chair of the Teaching and Learning Council at LUNEX with a responsibility to maintain and develop the academic standards of the taught programs.

Before joining LUNEX in 2017, he worked at the University of Stirling (UK) where he held the post of Program Director for the MSc in Sport Management. Before moving to Stirling in 2012, Mathieu was Postdoctoral Researcher at KU Leuven (Belgium), and a Research Fellow at the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium) where he obtained his Ph.D. in 2009 on key determinants leading to high performing sport organizations.

Mathieu’s academic expertise are in governance, strategic management and innovation in sport. His research examines performance management and organizational innovativeness of sport organizations, with a particular focus on sport federations. He also has interests in anti-doping education, processes of digitalization and how innovation can be used to support active living.

Ludovica Frangione is a first-year PhD student in the Sport, Health and Wellbeing program at the University of Bologna (Unibo) in Italy. Her passion for understanding the intricate relationship between sports, health, and media blossomed during her graduate studies at the Rimini campus of Unibo, where she earned a Masters degree in Wellness Culture: Sport, Health, and Tourism.

Her final dissertation delved deep into the media coverage of the Paralympic Games, laying the groundwork for her current research endeavors. Ludovica's dedication and academic excellence were recognized through a competitive PRIN PNRR secured by Prof. Sakis (Athanasios) Pappous's research grant, funded by the European Union's Next Generation EU funds. This scholarship supports her PhD journey under the supervision of Prof. Pappous, who is also a member of the Virtual Reality Lab. Driven by a profound personal interest in the Paralympic world, Ludovica's research delves into the multifaceted ways in which the Paralympic Games and the media are inextricably linked.

Her unique approach sheds light on the often underrepresented perspectives of Paralympic athletes, bringing fresh insights and innovative methodologies to this critical area of study.

Connor is a fourth-year undergraduate in the Bachelor of Recreation and Sports studies program at UNB. He has been involved with the UNB Reds baseball team for the past two seasons (social media management) and helped managed the social media platforms for the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball Association (ACBA).

Previous work experience includes working with the New Brunswick Real Estate Association (NBREA) as an educational assistant. Now intrigued by the opportunities that virtual reality can provide education and the experiences that can be created with virtual reality in a variety of sport settings, Connor is working on how VR can enhance learning and the education experience.

Duncan is a thrid-year undergraduate student in the Bachelor of Recreation and Sports Studies program at UNB, minoring in Business Administration (entrepreneurship and marketing).

A professional pogo sticker and sole proprietor of 'The Duncan Pogo Show', he also finds time to be part of the 'Xpogo Stunt Team'. His focus in the Sport VR lab is on content creation and inspirational curriculum for UNB Kinesiology students.

Pradyot is a visiting student researcher from LUNEX University, Luxembourg. Originally from India where he completed an undergraduate degree in business, he then took post graduate training in England and France before being selected as an EU scholar on a Joint Master's Degree in Governance and Administration of Sports at LUNEX. One of 16 nationalities in his cohort that were chosen for this scholarship.

With a passion for sport integrity, ethics, anti-doping education, good governance and olympism, Pradyot joins the VR lab team to extend his knowledge of how good governance and education in sport can be enhanced using virtual technologies.

He is working in the VR lab across multiple projects to learn more about the theory and practice of teaching and researching with VR.

Emily Titus is a third-year student in the Bachelor of Recreation and Sports Studies program. She was drawn east of her hometown of Canmore, AB by family roots and the rich innovation, research and entrepreneurship at UNB.

Growing up in the Canadian Rockies provided her with an environment to enjoy and explore many different sports and recreational activities and is now very excited to explore various applications of VR to sport including how VR can encourage or enhance participation.

A seasoned traveller, Emily's main focus is on understanding the application of VR to encourage internationalization at UNB and how it can prepare inexperienced travellers for new cultures, language and sports experiences abroad.