Academic Bio (download full CV here)
Danielle Peers is an Assistant Professor in Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta. She recently completed a Banting Post-Doctoral Fellowship (SSHRC) in Communication Studies at Concordia University, with the Critical Disability Working Group. Danielle engages poststructuralist theories and methods to study disability in relation to sport, art, and social justice movements. Her doctoral project, Spectacular Tolerance, traced the inspirationalization of disability in Canada, and its relationship to eugenics, rights, physical fitness, and social justice movements.
Danielle’s individual and collaborative works span numerous fields, and have been published in such journals as: Disability & Society, the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, and the Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies. Her research also takes the form of film and performance art, and she has been invited to present this artistic work at numerous art festivals, activist workshops, and international academic conferences.
Danielle’s academic and artistic practices draw heavily from her community organizing, public speaking, coaching, teaching, and her engagement with her own Paralympian past. Her research has been funded by a SSHRC Insight Development Grant, the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, and the Trudeau Foundation Scholarship.
Danielle is Director of the Media in Motion Lab in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta.
click here for videos about her research...
Danielle’s individual and collaborative works span numerous fields, and have been published in such journals as: Disability & Society, the Journal of Sport and Social Issues, Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, and the Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies. Her research also takes the form of film and performance art, and she has been invited to present this artistic work at numerous art festivals, activist workshops, and international academic conferences.
Danielle’s academic and artistic practices draw heavily from her community organizing, public speaking, coaching, teaching, and her engagement with her own Paralympian past. Her research has been funded by a SSHRC Insight Development Grant, the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, and the Trudeau Foundation Scholarship.
Danielle is Director of the Media in Motion Lab in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta.
click here for videos about her research...
Research Interests
socio-cultural studies of sport; critical approaches to adapted physical activity; Paralympism; disability sport
disability/crip movements & community-building; ableism in social justice movements; crip art;
post-structuralism; critical disability studies; crip & queer theory; feminist theory
Foucauldian genealogy; autoethnography; arts-based research; research-creation; interdisciplinary research;
disability/crip movements & community-building; ableism in social justice movements; crip art;
post-structuralism; critical disability studies; crip & queer theory; feminist theory
Foucauldian genealogy; autoethnography; arts-based research; research-creation; interdisciplinary research;
Selected Publications (click select titles to download pre-publication copies)
Peers, D. (Accepted). Cramping our style: Critical disability studies as axiological affinities. Disability Studies Quarterly, 37(3), p. xx-xx.
Peers, D. & Eales, L. (Accepted). Moving materiality: People, tools, and this thing called disability. Art/Research International, 2(2), p. xx-xx.
Lennon, S. & Peers, D. (2017). Wrongful inheritance: Race, disability and sexuality in Cramblett v. Midwest Sperm Bank. Feminist Legal Studies, p. 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10691-017-9347-y
Eales, L., & Peers, D. (2016). Moving adapted physical activity: The possibilities of arts-based research. Quest, 68, 55-68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2015.1116999
Peers, D. (In Press). Sport and social movements by/for disability and Deaf communities: Irreconcilable histories? In I. Brittain & A. Beacom (Eds.) Palgrave Handbook of Paralympic Studies. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Peers, D. (2016). Enduring disability, ableism, and whiteness: Three readings of inspirational endurance athletes in Canada. In W. Bridel, P. Markula & J. Denison (Eds.), Endurance Running: A Socio-Cultural Examination. Routledge.
Loewen Walker, R., Peers, D., & Eales, L. (2016). New constellations: Lived diffractions on dis/ability and dance. In C. Taylor & H. Sharp (Eds.), Bios: Feminist philosophies of life. McGill-Queens University Press.
Peers, D. (2015). From inhalation to inspiration: A genealogical auto-ethnography of a supercrip. In S. Tremain (Ed.), Foucault and the government of disability, 2nd Ed. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Peers, D., Spencer-Cavaliere, N., & Eales, L. (2014). Say what you mean: Rethinking disability language in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 31, 265-282.
Avner, A., Bridel, W., Eales, L., Glenn, N., Loewen Walker, R., & Peers, D. (2013). Moved to messiness: Physical activity, feelings, and transdisciplinarity. Emotion, Space and Society.
Peers, D. (2013). Marginal belonging. in L. Greaves, S. Kirby, M. Lay & G. Demers (Eds.) Playing it forward: 50 years of women and sport in Canada (pp. 82-3). Toronto: Feminist History Society.
Peers, D (2012). Interrogating disability: The (de)composition of a recovering Paralympian. Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, 4(2), 175-188. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2012.68510
Peers, D. (2012). Patients, athletes, freaks: Paralympism and the reproduction of disability. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 36(3), 295-316. doi:10.1177/0193723512442201
Peers, D., M. Brittain & R. McRuer (2012). Crip excess, art and politics: A conversation with Robert McRuer. The Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies, 34(3/4), 148-155. doi: 10.1080/10714413.2012.687284
Goodwin, D. & D. Peers (2011). Disability, sport and inclusion. In S. Dagkas & K. Armour (Eds.), Inclusion and exclusion through youth sport (pp. 186-202). Routledge. (see amazon preview)
Spencer-Cavaliere, N. & D. Peers (2011). “What’s the difference?” Wheelchair basketball, reverse integration and the question(ing) of disability. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 28, 291-309.
Peers, D. & L. Eales (2011). "Stand Up” for exclusion?: Queer pride, ableism and inequality. In M. Smith & F. Jaffer (eds.), Beyond the queer alphabet: Conversations on gender, sexuality & intersectionality (pp. 39-41).
Peers, D. (2009). (Dis)empowering Paralympic histories: Absent athletes and disabling discourses. Disability & Society, 24(5), 653-665. doi: 10.1080/09687590903011113
click here for artistic publications or download cv for full list of publications
Theses
PhD (2015) “From eugenics to Paralympics: Inspirational disability, physical fitness, and the white Canadian nation." Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta (Supervisor: Dr. Pirkko Markula).
MA (2019) “Governing bodies: A Foucaultian critique of Paralympic power relations” http://hdl.handle.net/10048/503. Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta (Supervisor: Dr. Donna Goodwin).
Peers, D. & Eales, L. (Accepted). Moving materiality: People, tools, and this thing called disability. Art/Research International, 2(2), p. xx-xx.
Lennon, S. & Peers, D. (2017). Wrongful inheritance: Race, disability and sexuality in Cramblett v. Midwest Sperm Bank. Feminist Legal Studies, p. 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10691-017-9347-y
Eales, L., & Peers, D. (2016). Moving adapted physical activity: The possibilities of arts-based research. Quest, 68, 55-68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2015.1116999
Peers, D. (In Press). Sport and social movements by/for disability and Deaf communities: Irreconcilable histories? In I. Brittain & A. Beacom (Eds.) Palgrave Handbook of Paralympic Studies. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Peers, D. (2016). Enduring disability, ableism, and whiteness: Three readings of inspirational endurance athletes in Canada. In W. Bridel, P. Markula & J. Denison (Eds.), Endurance Running: A Socio-Cultural Examination. Routledge.
Loewen Walker, R., Peers, D., & Eales, L. (2016). New constellations: Lived diffractions on dis/ability and dance. In C. Taylor & H. Sharp (Eds.), Bios: Feminist philosophies of life. McGill-Queens University Press.
Peers, D. (2015). From inhalation to inspiration: A genealogical auto-ethnography of a supercrip. In S. Tremain (Ed.), Foucault and the government of disability, 2nd Ed. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Peers, D., Spencer-Cavaliere, N., & Eales, L. (2014). Say what you mean: Rethinking disability language in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 31, 265-282.
Avner, A., Bridel, W., Eales, L., Glenn, N., Loewen Walker, R., & Peers, D. (2013). Moved to messiness: Physical activity, feelings, and transdisciplinarity. Emotion, Space and Society.
Peers, D. (2013). Marginal belonging. in L. Greaves, S. Kirby, M. Lay & G. Demers (Eds.) Playing it forward: 50 years of women and sport in Canada (pp. 82-3). Toronto: Feminist History Society.
Peers, D (2012). Interrogating disability: The (de)composition of a recovering Paralympian. Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, 4(2), 175-188. doi: 10.1080/2159676X.2012.68510
Peers, D. (2012). Patients, athletes, freaks: Paralympism and the reproduction of disability. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 36(3), 295-316. doi:10.1177/0193723512442201
Peers, D., M. Brittain & R. McRuer (2012). Crip excess, art and politics: A conversation with Robert McRuer. The Review of Education, Pedagogy and Cultural Studies, 34(3/4), 148-155. doi: 10.1080/10714413.2012.687284
Goodwin, D. & D. Peers (2011). Disability, sport and inclusion. In S. Dagkas & K. Armour (Eds.), Inclusion and exclusion through youth sport (pp. 186-202). Routledge. (see amazon preview)
Spencer-Cavaliere, N. & D. Peers (2011). “What’s the difference?” Wheelchair basketball, reverse integration and the question(ing) of disability. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 28, 291-309.
Peers, D. & L. Eales (2011). "Stand Up” for exclusion?: Queer pride, ableism and inequality. In M. Smith & F. Jaffer (eds.), Beyond the queer alphabet: Conversations on gender, sexuality & intersectionality (pp. 39-41).
Peers, D. (2009). (Dis)empowering Paralympic histories: Absent athletes and disabling discourses. Disability & Society, 24(5), 653-665. doi: 10.1080/09687590903011113
click here for artistic publications or download cv for full list of publications
Theses
PhD (2015) “From eugenics to Paralympics: Inspirational disability, physical fitness, and the white Canadian nation." Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta (Supervisor: Dr. Pirkko Markula).
MA (2019) “Governing bodies: A Foucaultian critique of Paralympic power relations” http://hdl.handle.net/10048/503. Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation, University of Alberta (Supervisor: Dr. Donna Goodwin).
Talks
photo: Magda Olszanowski
Invited academic keynotes & featured lectures:
See "speaking" for knowledge translation talks and workshops at public and professional conferences
See Danielle's CV for a complete list of presentations and publications
- "Interrogating disability" (2012). Southern Alberta Council of Public Affairs Public Lecture, University of Lethbridge.
- "Seeking out failure in graduate school" (2011). Keynote lecture at Re-Con Graduate Student Conference.
- "Transgressing boundaries of (dis)ability" (2007). Inside/OUT Speaker Series, University of Alberta
- "Tomboys and the able-disabled: Subversive ability or hegemonic identity?" (2007). Woman Scholars Speaker Series, University of Lethbridge
- "Crippin' the crutch" (2013). Differential Mobilities International Conference, Concordia University.
- "Moving APA through arts-based research" (2013). Thinking About Our Thinking in Adapted Physical Activity International Workshop, University of Alberta.
- "Moving materiality" (2012). Materiality & Independence: Disability, Ability and the Built Environment Symposium, University of Alberta.
- "Moving materiality" (2012). Recon: Graduate Student Conference. Canmore, AB.
- Canadian Disability Studies Association (Congress, 2013)
- North America Sociology of Sport Conference (2009)
- North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Conference (2010)
- Health, Embodiment & Visual Culture: Engaging Publics and Pedagogies (2010), McMaster Universit
- Remember is to Resist: 40 Years of Sport and Social Change International Conference (2008), University of Toronto
See "speaking" for knowledge translation talks and workshops at public and professional conferences
See Danielle's CV for a complete list of presentations and publications
Event (Co)Chairing
(Dis)ability?: Queer and Feminist Perspectives Symposium (October, 18 & 19, 2012). Featuring Loree Erickson, Robert McRuer, Alexis Shotwell, Catherine Clune-Taylor, Josh St. Pierre, Lindsay Eales & Danielle Peers. University of Alberta.
Disability, Sport and Ableism Speaker Series (February 14 & 15, 2012). Featuring David P. Howe, Gregor Wolbring, David Greig, Jean Laroche. University of Alberta.
FemmeGimp and QueerCrip Sidekicks: Adventures in the land of the benevolent normates (2010). Featuring Lucas Crawford, Loree Erickson, & Danielle Peers. Presented by the Alberta Public Interest Research Group. University of Alberta.
Transformative Stories: Crip and Queer Art as Activism (2008). Featuring Melisa Brittain, Eli Clare, Lucas Crawford & Danielle Peers. Presented by the Alberta Public Interest Research Group, University of Alberta (co-chair).
click here for artistic events curated
Disability, Sport and Ableism Speaker Series (February 14 & 15, 2012). Featuring David P. Howe, Gregor Wolbring, David Greig, Jean Laroche. University of Alberta.
FemmeGimp and QueerCrip Sidekicks: Adventures in the land of the benevolent normates (2010). Featuring Lucas Crawford, Loree Erickson, & Danielle Peers. Presented by the Alberta Public Interest Research Group. University of Alberta.
Transformative Stories: Crip and Queer Art as Activism (2008). Featuring Melisa Brittain, Eli Clare, Lucas Crawford & Danielle Peers. Presented by the Alberta Public Interest Research Group, University of Alberta (co-chair).
click here for artistic events curated
