Lauren R. Nowosatka (she/her)

Lauren Nowosatka is a doctoral candidate in Physical Cultural Studies in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland. Her research interests are heavily drawn upon and inspired by experiences growing up as a high-level gymnast, broadly pertaining to feminist concerns within physical culture, particularly environments upholding ‘emphasized femininity’, in addition to constructions of gendered norms, media representation(s), and abuse in sport. Lauren’s Master’s Thesis, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Shannon Jette, examined constructions of femininity and empowerment on the reality television show, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team, theorizing contemporary (sporting) feminine Americana. Her upcoming dissertation seeks to explicate the complex web of abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual) in USA Gymnastics, before, during, and now following the 2016-2018 outbreak of the institution’s sex abuse scandal. Lauren’s research has been presented at the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport Conference and has been published in the Journal of Sport and Social Issues.