Kiki Kaplanidou, Ph.D. is a professor in the Department of Sport Management and assistant dean for Faculty Affairs. Her research explores the impacts and legacies of sport events on communities. Specifically, it examines residents’ perceptions of such impacts and legacies and the level of support they provide for the event when they observe quality of life benefits in their community. In addition, her research examines the impact of the sport event experience on sport event participants’ intentions to continue to exercise and take part in more sport events.

Dr. Kaplanidou has conducted research for the International Olympic Committee related to the legacy of the Olympic Games and a number of sport related organizations. 

Q&A

What is the name of your lab?

Innovative Research Initiatives in Sport Events (i-RISE)

What is your research focus?

The lab focuses on the impacts of sport events on community development and people’s quality of life.

What lead to your decision to work at UF and the College of Health & Human Performance (HHP)?

UF and HHP are a tremendous place to work due to the quality of the scholars, programs, services and students.

What is one exciting thing you are currently working on?

At the moment we have submitted a funding proposal to an International Funding Organization based on Saudi Arabia to understand the impact of the sport event experience on local people’s quality of life and intentions to continue exercising due to having experienced the event atmosphere. 

What about your work are you passionate about?

I love to teach about the Olympic Games and their impacts on host communities and all the changes that can bring to really benefit the host country if leveraged properly.

What inspired you to work in your chosen field?

I worked for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and that job allowed to gain an insider’s perspective of the management of the Games, which ultimately inspired me to research this area further.

Are you looking for undergraduate volunteers or graduate students?

It depends on the interests of the students and how passionate they are about engaging in a research project. I could work with both on my research.

How did you reach your level of success given you were entering a male-dominated profession?

I kept working hard, without thinking that I am up against male colleagues. I didn’t want to find an excuse for myself in that male dominated environment.  

What has been the most significant barrier in your career?

Often, older male colleagues with a significant age gap seemed doubtful about a young female colleague’s ability to succeed. This is a hard perception to break and I doubt whether for some it was ever really broken in their minds.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women in STEM?

Although STEM is not my field directly, I would advise to master the skills that the field desires and work with passion and integrity.

What have you sacrificed during your career?

Family time

If you started all over tomorrow, what would you do differently? What would you keep the same?

I think I would not change much. Perhaps, sacrifice less weekends for work and focus on more fun things. However, these sacrifices really paid off to receive my professor promotion and therefore I do not regret it.

Who is one of you female heroes and why?

Hard to say only one! Serena Williams, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and also Stacy Abrams. All represent strength and female power within and outside their professional roles!  

Any parting or additional comments?

Believe in yourself and your abilities but first make sure you work hard to bring these abilities to an elite level!

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