DrAshleigh Thompson

Dr Ashleigh-Jane Thompson is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Management. She is an award-winning researcher specialising in the intersection of sport marketing, communication, and technology. Her research explores how digital and social media representations influence engagement between sport organisations, athletes, and consumers. Ashleigh is passionate about advancing our understanding of the evolving digital landscape in sports and its impact on stakeholders at all levels. Her scholarly work encompasses themes such as digital fan experiences, the dynamics of sport technology and innovation, and athlete activism. Ashleigh is also developing a multidisciplinary research strand focusing on the well-being of those involved in sport. Her research has a theoretical and practical impact both nationally and internationally and has been published in top-tier sport management, sport communication and marketing journals, including Sport Management Review, Journal of Sport Management, European Sport Management Quarterly, Communication and Sport, and the Journal of Interactive Advertising. She is also an author and co-author of multiple textbook chapters, and a sport media textbook. She actively present my findings at international conferences across New Zealand, Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom, fostering global academic discourse in sport management. 

Ashleigh has successfully supervised several Master's and PhD students to completion, drawing on her expertise in sport management, media, and innovation. She takes a student-centred approach to supervision, fostering critical thinking, academic rigour, and industry relevance throughout the research journey. Ashleigh’s supervisory experience reflects her commitment to mentoring emerging scholars and contributing to impactful, real-world research in the sport and leisure sectors.

Ashleigh is a current member of the International Association for Communication and Sport (IACS) and the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ) where she is the former President (2023-2024). In addition to her scholarly pursuits, she maintains active connections with the sport industry by partnering with organisations for research projects, as well as working in media operations at national and international sporting events, and serving as a Director on sport organisation Boards.

Awards and Recognitions:

• 2024: La Trobe Business School Student Experience Award, for significant contributions towards the improvement of student experience.
• 2022: Named as one of the most influential articles in 2021 by the American Academy of Advertising Journals
• 2020: La Trobe Business School Award for Exemplary Contribution to Mission in the Care category, for displaying leadership and provision of support and advice to student community.
• 2020: La Trobe Business School Award for Exemplary Contribution to Mission in the Care and Connectedness category, via contribution to Domestic and International Marketing.
• 2019: Outstanding Paper Award in the Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence.