Women’s Football Social Research

At M·E·L Research, we are committed to driving positive change and inclusivity in sport, including women’s football. Combining our in-depth experience in sport and physical activity with a strong track record in research, we work to understand and tackle the challenges facing the women’s game.

Our approach not only addresses the specific needs of women’s football but also draws on broader insights from the wider sport and physical activity sector, ensuring our work is informed, impactful, and actionable.

Our Work in Women’s Football

Our approach combines robust research methodologies with a deep understanding of the sector and focusses on understanding the barriers, experiences, and opportunities within the game. We provide:

• Comprehensive Evaluations
  Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, we evaluate initiatives to ensure they achieve their intended outcomes and provide value for stakeholders.
• Behavioural Insights
  By applying behaviour change models like COM-B, we uncover the underlying factors that influence participation and engagement in women’s football.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  Engaging players, fans, and administrators ensures our insights reflect the real-world experiences and needs of those involved in the game.
• Tailored Recommendations
  Our findings are presented in actionable formats, from reports and dashboards to workshops, empowering organisations to make evidence-based decisions.

A Broader Perspective: Expertise Across Sport and Physical Activity

Our work in women’s football is strengthened by our extensive experience in the wider sport and physical activity sector. This breadth of expertise allows us to approach challenges with a holistic perspective and apply insights that have been proven across different sports and audiences.

Informing National Interventions
Collaborations with policymakers and funding bodies allow us to contribute to large-scale programmes that promote physical activity and health. For example, we’ve supported councils and charities in evaluating the effectiveness of initiatives to increase participation, including innovative approaches like active travel and community-led activity programmes.

Engaging Diverse Audiences
We’ve worked with players, coaches, fans, and stakeholders across sports to understand barriers and motivations, test new ideas, and drive inclusivity. For instance, our research has explored perceptions of sports and identified pathways for growth among a range of participants.

Promoting Participation and Accessibility
Our projects often focus on making sports accessible to underrepresented groups. From encouraging women and girls to stay involved in football to designing strategies for ethnically diverse communities and individuals with health conditions, our team have extensive experience of understand what drives inclusivity and long-term engagement.