New Faculty Q&A: Margo Adam

Margo Adam and family

On July 1, Dr. Margo Adam began her new role as assistant professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. Born and raised in Calgary, Adam’s move to Edmonton with her husband and baby marks her return to Alberta after spending 12 years in Saskatoon, SK with the College of Kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan.  

A self-described easy-going and quiet person, Adam’s excited to be in Edmonton, where we’re sure she will be able to fulfil her love of fun and adventure, both on and off campus. Read on to learn a little bit more about the new KSR team member.

What drew you to the field of kinesiology, sport and recreation?

Growing up, I was involved in all kinds of formal and informal sport and recreation activities. I’ve always loved to be active and outside, and it didn’t matter to me if it was a high-level organized sport or an easy day of hiking with my family. It was a natural progression for me to ask questions about what I saw around me, and those questions have formed so much of my research career.

What will you be teaching?

In the fall term, I'll be teaching Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (KIN 303). I’m very excited about this because this will be my first experience teaching in my research area! In the winter semester I’ll be teaching the KSR ethics class (KIN 401), which is very similar to what I’ve been teaching over the past several years.

What is your research focus, and why does that subject interest you?

My research is focused on the sport performance, health and well-being of women athletes. Specifically, I adopt biopsychosocial mixed-methods approaches to explore a range of women athletes’ experiences related to self-attitudes, eudaimonic well-being, body image, eating and exercise attitudes and behaviours, menstrual function-dysfunction, the female athlete triad and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). I’m very interested in how well-being plays a role in sport experiences and reaching one’s potential in sport.

What do you love about your research?

The thing I love most about research is the “ah-ha” moment when an analysis or a conversation sparks a connection or understanding. This moment is so gratifying because it starts to answer my research question, and it’s also so powerful because it somehow leaves more questions in its wake.

What inspires you in your work and research?

At this stage of my career, I’m inspired by the stories that athletes tell me, and encouraged when they let me know my work and research have made a difference for them. Through my research I really hope to make a positive impact on women and girls in sport.

What are you looking forward to in your new position?

There’s a long list of things I’m excited about as I start my new position. Thankfully, I think I will be able to achieve most of them over time. One thing I’m excited about right away is getting settled and meeting people in KSR. So far, I‘ve had some wonderful and very welcoming conversations and am feeling more at home every day.

What is your favourite sport or pastime?

It’s safe to say that I love being active. I’m a new parent, so right now being active consists of doing daily activities. But I’m looking forward to eventually getting back into long-distance running. Outside of the realm of sport, I also love to read and play computer games.

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

I probably wouldn’t bother trying to give my 18-year-old-self advice — it would be ineffective and not really necessary. But if I did give her advice, I would probably encourage her to stay true to what she wants and tell her it’s OK to be stubborn, persistent, competitive and bold. And, regardless of what others might say, it’s great to be different.