Institute in Community Sport & Health
The Institute in Community Sport & Health (CoSH Institute) has a mission to become the national leader in innovative solutions to issues of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in community, sport and health. Formed in 2025 and located on the 2nd floor of the Cape Breton Health and Recreation Centre (The Dome) on CBU’s campus, the CoSH Institute’s goals are to:
- Innovate sport delivery to promote intersectional access for all
- Accelerate inclusive coaching and sport leadership
- Expand community belonging and wellbeing in and through sport
- Develop lifelong sport participation for healthy active aging
- Engage with local community-based partners to advance social change
Membership Structure
The CoSH Institute is driven by a coalition of leading researchers at Cape Breton University, community partners, and affiliated researchers across the globe. It is guided by a Director and Associate Director.
To ensure effective research-to-practice impact, the Institute employs a coordinator to connect and implement research findings with community sport organizations and events. This model fosters long-term collaboration and positions the Institute as a catalyst for EDIA-centered transformation in community sport.
Each year, the Director and Associate Director of Research oversee a growing coalition of faculty researchers, student trainees, ongoing active research projects, and research funding applications, ensuring sustained mentorship, collaboration, and innovation across all initiatives. They collaborate with the Coordinator to translate research- informed EDIA strategies into action across community sport groups and sporting events to positively impact participants and sport consumers.
Current & Future Initiatives
Over the next decade and beyond, the CoSH Institute will generate and support the implementation of tested, inclusive sport strategies to promote lifelong active living of Cape Bretoners and others across the globe, establishing the island as Canada’s Active for Life Community.
Currently, research is engaged with: Masters Athletes, Special Olympics, Strength & Conditioning, Home of Women’s Hockey, Safe Sport, EDIA in Curling, youth social identity and mental health, group dynamics, medical exercise programs, eco-activism and physical activity, student-athlete leadership and more.
The CoSH Institute’s current activities involve conferences and coaching clinics (The Coaching Conversation) as well as strategy development for research implementation.
Contact
If you are interested in or have ideas for implementation and/or research needs, please contact Bettina Callary.
