Sarah Crossman

Casual Academic

College of Education, Psychology and Social Work

place Education
GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE, SA, 5001

Sarah is a PhD student interested in understanding the sport involvement pathways of adults and the social-ecological influences surrounding participation. Her study will use a mixed-methods research approach to identify which aspects of social ecology play a role in the distinct pathways of adults to sport.

Sarah currently works as a Research Assistant in the Sport, Health, Activity, Performance and Exercise (SHAPE) Research Centre. She has both quantitative and qualitative research skills having designed and administered online surveys and interviews with young people, adults, and key sporting club stakeholders to better understand how sporting clubs support young people’s mental health. She has analytical experience with SPSS and has performed detailed thematic analyses of interview data.

Sarah has previous expertise in the spatial and environmental sciences with over 20 years of technical, communication and leadership experience. She has designed, led and delivered client-driven spatial data projects and quantitative data analyses, including preparation of high-quality written project reports and preparation of detailed budgets and timeframes.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours 1A)

Professional Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management

Certificate III in Fitness

Honours, awards and grants

GRANTS

  • 2025, Drummond, M., Windsor, T., Elliott, S., Petersen, J.M., Crossman, S., Drummond, C., & Hicks, D. Government of South Australia, Office for Ageing Well, Impact Research Grants for Ageing Well 2024-25, Major Project Grant: “Kickoff” Men's Health: Connecting Older Rural Men to Improve Health and Wellbeing through Walking Football ($100,000)

AWARDS

  • Parks & Leisure Australia (SA/NT) Emerging Leader Scholarship (2025)
  • Flinders University Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) Best Higher Degree by Research Student Publication Award, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work (2024)
  • Best Higher Degree by Research Abstract at Australian and New Zealand Annals of Leisure Studies (ANZALS) Conference (2023) 
  • Australian and New Zealand Annals of Leisure Studies (ANZALS) Student Research Scholarship (2023)
  • Flinders University Research Scholarship (2022-2025)
  • Young Spatial Professional of the Year (Asia-Pacific Spatial Excellence Awards 2007)
  • Young Spatial Professional of the Year (South Australian Spatial Excellence Awards 2007)
Key responsibilities
  • Conduct quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews and focus groups, and data analysis to support academic research and journal publications.
  • Engage with State Sporting Organisations, sporting clubs, peak bodies, policy makers, academics, young people, coaches and club administrators.