Collaborating to reimagine sport, recreation and leisure

About

Reimagining Sport, Recreation and Leisure is a participatory, community engaged research collective committed to fostering meaningful relationships through relational and inclusive research practices.

Grounded in collaboration and care, our work supports transformative change by centering community voices, co-creating knowledge and reimagining how sport, recreation and leisure can serve as catalysts for belonging and wellbeing. 

Who*

We are a collective of scholars, practitioners, and human-centred and system designers who have a passion and experience working in and with community sport, physical activity, recreation, and leisure settings.

How

Through collaborative and creative research design approaches, capacity building, and knowledge mobilization, we work with and alongside communities and organizations to intentionally challenge the status quo and reimagine systems, policies, programs, and services. We aim to co-create more human-centred and relational solutions that foster equity, dignity, and belonging.

Meet the Team

  • Jackie Oncescu

    Lead Researcher, UNB

  • Julia Frigault

    Project Coordinator, UNB

  • Jules Maitland

    Design Lead, All In

  • Madeleine Whalen

    Design Researcher, All In

  • Moni Loewen

    Executive Director, ROC Eastman

  • Steph McLean

    Development Coordinator & Family Recreation Practitioner, ROC Eastman

  • Val Arias

    Project & Operations Coordinator, All In

If you would like to learn more about this project or if you would like to get involved, please contact the project coordinator, Julia Frigault (julia.frigault@unb.ca), or lead researcher, Jackie Oncescu (jackie.oncescu@unb.ca).

*This project is a collaborative effort involving researchers from the University of New Brunswick, designers from All In, and practitioners from Recreation for Children Inc. It was previously funded by GNB’s Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (2022–2025). The project currently receives financial support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and funding from the Sport, Recreation, and Physical Activity branch of the Government of New Brunswick’s Department of Tourism, Heritage, and Culture.