Matthews illuminates social injustice in sports as panelist

Dr. Tammy Rae Matthews, assistant professor of Sports Journalism and Digital Journalism, was a panelist at the 107th Annual Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in August.

The conference's theme was "Representation and Voice — The Future of Democracy." The panel addressed “Communicating Social Justice in Sports: In the Media, on the Field, and in the Classroom."

Co-sponsored by the Sports Communication Interest Group and Magazine Media Division, the session explored pressing topics such as athlete activism, digital discourse, and media narratives in challenging societal inequities. The intersection of sports and social justice has emerged as a dynamic and influential force, prompting meaningful discussions about activism, representation, and corporate social responsibility.

Joining Matthews on the panel were moderator Dr. Vincent Peña, DePaul University; Dr. Mackenzie Cato, Kennesaw State University; and Dr. Ever Figueroa, University of Colorado Boulder. The panelists discussed how researchers, educators, and practitioners can effectively communicate social justice in sports to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive sporting environment.

Matthews shared innovative teaching strategies for addressing intersectionality in sports journalism and detailed how such approaches empower students to challenge oppression and foster inclusion in sports and media. The panel offered a compelling vision of how sports communication can confront injustice and inspire transformative progress on and off the field.

As part of the conversation, Matthews previewed her forthcoming chapter, “Intersectionally Shaping Sports Journalism Pedagogy,” in the book “Instructing Intersectionality: Critical and Practical Strategies for the Journalism and Mass Communication Classroom.”