Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Lecture to examine racism in sport leisure and society
The event entitled - 'What is critical race theory and what is it doing in a nice field like sport and leisure?' - will take place at Headingley Campus on Wednesday 6 November from 5.30pm-7.30pm in The Great Hall in the James Graham building.
Professor Hylton is the first black professor at Leeds Metropolitan University's Carnegie Faculty in more than 75 years and is Chair of the Leeds Met Race Equality and Diversity Forum. He commented: "Sport and leisure are useful starting points from which to see how even the most seemingly inclusive areas of society can reflect the best and worst of who we are. On this note, we must continue to engage in productive discussions on 'race', racism and racialisation to bring the best out of each other more often."
Professor Hylton, who recently joined a panel of sporting stars including Olympic Gold Medallist Christine Ohuruogu for a London-based sports debate, brings a voice to the sociology of sport and leisure that reflects an intricate engagement with, and commitment to challenge the endemic issues that mark race relations in the UK.
In his lecture he will draw on his ground-breaking work on Critical Race Theory (CRT), exploring its relevance to sport and leisure theory, policy and practice. While challenging the liberalism engrained in the ideals implicit in sport and leisure settings, the notion of sport as a level playing field will also be examined.
As one of the original Action Sport Development Officers in the 1980s, Professor Hylton led and managed community sport development and coaching opportunities in the inner city areas of Leeds. He has significant experience in coaching, sport development and in working with diverse communities. He is a swimming teacher and badminton coach as well as a coach tutor, and was the Head Coach for the NCF Champion Coaching initiative in Wolverhampton in the 1990s.
Professor Hylton has published and reviewed extensively in peer-reviewed journals and high profile book projects in sport, leisure and education. His publications include 'Race' and Sport: Critical Race Theory; Atlantic Crossings: International Dialogues on Critical Race Theory, and Sport Development: Policy, Process and Practice.