Katja Sonkeng, Ph.D.

Biography

Dr. Sonkeng, Ph.D. joined the Department of Kinesiology at Towson University as an assistant professor of sport management in the fall of 2024 after teaching undergraduate sport and recreation management courses at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA and graduate sport management courses at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL. Her research and teaching interests primarily focus on socio-cultural aspects of sports, specifically sport labor migration, sport for development, as well as gender equity and diversity issues in sport leadership and sport participation. Particularly, she is interested in exploring the mental, emotional and psychosocial benefits of sports and physical activity in addition to its socio-cultural impacts.

In and outside of the classroom, Dr. Sonkeng aims to contribute to creating superior and enhanced learning experiences to diverse learners and populations to equip them with the critical thinking, analytical, and empathetic skills needed to become the next generation of successful, inclusive, socially aware and equity-minded leaders in an increasingly global and technology-driven sport industry.

Prior to her academic career, Dr. Sonkeng earned an undergraduate degree in journalism and history from the University of Giessen in Germany and gained practical experience in public relations and sport marketing with the Bulls Sox Academy in Chicago and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex / Disney Sports in Orlando, FL.

Selected Publications

• Sonkeng, K., & Chepyator-Thomson, J.R. (2024). Forced migrant women in the United States: Experiences and perspectives grounded in sport and physical exercise. In B. Graeff, S. Safarikova, & L. Cherurbai Sambili (Eds.). Introduction: Global South Voices on Sport for Development and Peace. Routledge: London, UK.

• Qian, T. Y., Sonkeng, K., & Luo, L. (2023). Exploring the dark side of esports online spectatorship: Passion as a mediator and collective narcissism as a moderator. Communication & Sport, 0(0), 1-24.

• Sonkeng, K. (2022). The digital world of sport. The Impact of emerging media on sports news, information, and journalism.  Journal of Sport Management, 36(5), 513-514.

• Sonkeng, K., Chepyator-Thomson, J. R. (2021). Websites. In P. M. Pedersen (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Sport Management. Elgar Encyclopedias in Business and Management series. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing.

• Sonkeng, K., & Chepyator-Thomson, J. R. (2020). Exploring the healing touch of pickup basketball as a self-care method for educators and helping professionals: An ethnographic approach. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 12(4), 465-480.

• Sonkeng, K., & Chepyator-Thomson, J. R. (2020). Examination of Policy Influences on Player Migration and Socio-cultural Impacts in European Professional Basketball. International Journal of Sport Management, 21(2), 101-131.
• Attia, M. A. S., Chepyator-Thomson, J. R., & Sonkeng, K. (2018). The use of sport promotion mix to increase consumption of services: A case study of El-Hawar Sporting Club (HSC) in El-Mansoura, Egypt. Journal of Research in Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport & Dance ICHPER.SD, 10(1), 28-38

• Hazzaa, R., Sonkeng, K., & Yoh, T. (2018). Antecedents and consequences of student-athletes contentment with academic services. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 11(1), 65-81.

Research

Dr. Sonkeng's research has been published in international journals, such as Journal of Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise, and Health, International Journal of Sport Communication, International Journal of Sport Management and Journal of Sport Management. Through continuous research, teaching and service, Dr. Sonkeng seeks to identify and break down socio-cultural, economical and political barriers to women’s and girls’ participation in sports and physical activity.

Her current research projects aim to identify the major constraints for women to participate in unorganized sport formats, such as pickup basketball and generational change as a pathway to gender equity. Other current research projects center around the factors that engender online toxicity in the realm of esports and its impact on the mental and physical health of its participants.