Education
Ph.D., Sport Management and Policy, University of Georgia, 2021
M.S. Ed., Sport Studies, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2016
M.A., Journalism, University of Giessen, Germany, 2008
Areas of Expertise
Psychosocial benefits of informal sports
Equity and inclusion issues in sport
Sport for Social Change and Development
Gender in sport
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.