Joanna Harper has been informally studying transgender athletes for several years, is the first author on four peer-reviewed papers on the subject and has earned previous undergraduate and master’s degrees in physics and medical physics respectively.
Website: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/postgraduate-research/doctoral-researchers/joanna-harper
Summary:
In this interview, we discuss the topic of including transwomen athletes in women's sports. According to Harper, for prepubescent athletes or recreational sports, sex categories may not be necessary, and they could be grouped by ability or other factors. However, for high-level sports like NCAA and above, eligibility requirements must be in place for transgender women to undergo testosterone-suppressing hormone therapy before participating, because male puberty gives a significant physical advantage. She also addresses the underrepresentation of trans women in sports and the importance of considering their unique challenges, including psychosocial disadvantages.
