Fenton Litwiller, PhD

Biography

Dr. Fenton Litwiller (they/them/theirs) is a leisure scholar who uses qualitative and post-qualitative research methods and critical theories to account for 2SLGBTQ experiences, identities and expressions. They are currently developing a project driven by interrelated research questions around gender, race and class using photography and drag performance. For example, in a quasi-ethnographic research context, drag mentors work with queer youth to explore gender through a drag performance and genderplay workshop using make up, movement to music, and costuming. Litwiller is a University of Manitoba Falconer Emerging Researcher Award winner and their research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Research Manitoba and the University of Manitoba.

Research areas

  • Gender and Sexuality
    • Click here to read about Litwiller's research 
  • Mental health and mental illness 
  • Social justice 
  • Social inclusion and well being

Education

  • PhD, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta
  • M.A., Adventure Education with a specialization in Experiential Education, Prescott College, Arizona
  • B.A., Physical Education and Outdoor Education, with Distinction, Augustana Faculty, University of Alberta

Courses

  • Concepts of Recreation and Leisure (PERS 1400)
  • Community Development and the Leisure Service Delivery System (REC 4070)
  • Qualitative Methods and Research Design (PHED 7160)
  • Critical Race Theory, Indigeneity, in Leisure, Recreation, and Sport (KPER 7430) 
  • Cultural Studies in Leisure, Recreation and Sport (KPER 7440)

Publications

Litwiller, F. (in press). When & where can leisure be found & for whom? In, Kivel, D. & Pinckney, H. Time of Our Lives: The Joys and Challenges of Leisure in the 21st Century.
 
Litwiller, F. & Moran, R*. (in press). University student perspectives negotiating positive and negative mental health on campus. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
 
Litwiller, F., Johnson, C. Oakleaf, L. (2022). Transgender visibility and inclusion in recreation programming, 4th ed. In, Schneider, I. & D. Kivel.  (Eds.). Diversity and Inclusion in the Recreation Profession Organizational Perspectives. (pp. 85-102). Sagamore Publishing.
 
Litwiller, F. , Johnson, C., Oakleaf, L. (2022). Contesting compulsory heterosexuality and creating inclusive practices for 2SLGBT participants in recreation programming. In, Schneider, I., & D. Kivel.  (Eds.). Diversity and Inclusion in the Recreation Profession Organizational Perspectives. (pp. 69-84). Sagamore Publishing.
 
Gallant, K., Hutchinson, S., White, C. Litwiller, F., Hamilton-Hinch, B, Burns, R. (2021). Are we done yet? Reflections on the maintenance and sustainability of knowledge products. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. DOI: 10.1177/16094069211060925
 
Litwiller, F. (2021). Youth perspectives on genderplay recreation programming: insights and critiques on identity development theories. Leisure Sciences. 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2021.1921638
 
Goertzen, L., Litwiller, F. (2021). Exploring the role of creative arts leisure in mental illness recovery with individuals experiencing homelessness.  Leisure/Loisir. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2021.1880336
 
Dykstra, K., Litwiller, F. (2020). “Are you trying to make them gay?”: Gatekeepers and other obstacles to exploring gender with 2SLGBTQ youth. Leisure Sciences.1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2020.1830902
 
Litwiller, F. (2020). Normative drag culture and the making of precarity. Leisure Studies. 39(4), 600-612. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2020.1800798

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