Western University researchers, in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI), International Centre for Olympic Studies [ICOS], and Sport and Social Impact Research Group [SSIRG] have released a new publication titled The SEIPA Lens: Informing Safe, Ethical and Inclusive Physical Activity. This framework provides a practical way to understand and promote safety, fairness, and inclusion in physical activity and sport. It encourages researchers, program leaders, and policymakers to consider how individual, social, and institutional factors influence people’s experiences — from community programs to professional sport settings.
The SEIPA Lens is built on three key principles: ensuring physical activity is safe (minimizing harm), ethical (fair and respectful), and inclusive (accessible and welcoming to all). It highlights how relationships, environments, and broader social norms can either support or constrain participation. By recognizing these multi-level influences, the framework helps organizations identify barriers and take informed action to improve equity in health and recreation.
CRHESI’s involvement in this project reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing health equity through research, collaboration, and community engagement. By supporting the SEIPA Lens, CRHESI continues to bridge academic knowledge and practical change — ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or ability, can participate in physical activity safely and with dignity.