Innovation Road Map: Co-Creating the Future of Women’s Sport and Health

A roundtable discussion as part of the IAS Spotlight 'Women in Sport' - Discussants: Dr Verity Postlethwaite, Dr Rebecca Grant, Dr Samantha Rowland, Dr Hannah Dugdale This closing session brings together the insights, provocations, and priorities emerging from the IAS Spotlight series to co-create a shared vision and actionable next steps. Drawing on themes of governance, leadership, innovation, and interdisciplinary research, this session will guide participants through a collaborative process to shape an actionable innovation roadmap. Framed by the expertise of contributors across the IAS Spotlight activities, including views from those working on breast health, return to movement, and cross-sport collaboration—this session will explore how to build a thriving, inclusive ecosystem for innovation around women’s sport and health research and practice. Participants will: Reflect on key insights from the roundtables on governance, events, and innovation in women’s sport. Engage with a draft Innovation Road Map structured around research, design, policy, and practice. Identify shared priorities, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration. Contribute to the co-creation of next steps, including research partnerships, funding pathways, and future convenings. This session will close with a collective commitment to action and an invitation to shape the next phase of activities, focusing on the 2026 Women in Sport, Exercise and Academic Network conference which will be hosted by Loughborough in July 2026.