Dr. Karin Volkwein-Caplan

Professor of Cultural Studies, Department of Kinesiology
KVolkwein@wcupa.edu

Dr. Karin Volkwein-Caplan, a native German and US citizen, is Professor of Cultural Studies in the Department of Kinesiology at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, USA. Her research and teaching in the areas of sport philosophy, history, and sociology are based on an interdisciplinary approach with a cross-cultural comparative focus. The outcomes of her research have been disseminated widely, both nationally and internationally through numerous presentations, journal articles, book chapters, and several books.

Her books include: Sport, Culture and Society – A Workbook, 2009; Culture, Sport and Physical Activity, 2004; Sexual Harassment in Sport – Impact, Issues, and Challenges, 2001 – co-written with Sankaran; HIV/AIDS in Sport – Impact, Issues, and Challenges, 1999 – co-written with Sankaran and Bonsall; Fitness as Cultural Phenomenon, 1998; Herbert Marcuse’s Theory of Play,, 1989.

Dr. Volkwein-Caplan has served as a guest editor for the Social Science Review Special Issues on Sport Philosophy, 1996, and is co-editor of the well established book series Sport, Culture and Society with the Meyer&Meyer Sport Publisher. She has received numerous research grants together with her students as well as various awards, including the prestigious WCU Trustee’s Achievement Award in 2005. One of her main research foci has been the advancement of women in sport and physical activity, HIV and sport, as well as sexual harassment in sport. She has also served in various professional societies, such as the International Association for the Philosophy of Sport, the Club of Cologne, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and most noteworthy as a board member of the international umbrella organization of all sport scientific organizations, the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education. Currently, she is working on cross-cultural comparative research on the issue of aging and well-being with her colleague Jasmin Tahmaseb McConatha in the Psychology Department at West Chester University.