Fenton Litwiller, PhD

Biography

Dr. Fenton Litwiller (they/them/theirs) attended Augustana University in Camrose, Alberta for their BA in Outdoor Education. It is here where they developed their whitewater canoeing and backcountry hiking skills. After graduation they used these skills as a river guide, leading extended wilderness canoe and raft trips on remote rivers in the NWT and Nunavut for Canadian River Expeditions including the Nahanni, Burnside and Coppermine rivers. 

Litwiller returned to Augustana and taught in the outdoor education program for four years while also earning a master’s degree in Experiential Education. They then completed a PhD at the University of Alberta in Physical Education and Recreation and a Post-Doctoral fellowship at Dalhousie University in Health and Human Performance. They are currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management where they teach recreation and community development classes, with a critical focus on inclusion and belonging.

Litwiller is a University of Manitoba Falconer Emerging Researcher Award winner, and their research has been funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Research Manitoba and the University of Manitoba.

Education

  • Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University      
  • Doctorate, Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta
  • Master of Arts, Experiential Education, Prescott College
  • Bachelor of Arts, Physical Education and Outdoor Education, Augustana University

Research summary

In their current funded research program, Dr. Litwiller uses qualitative and post-qualitative research methods and critical theories to account for 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences, identities, and expressions. They are developing a project driven by interrelated research questions around gender, race and class using photography and drag performance.

Recent publications

Litwiller, F. (2024). Contesting the production of queer-only safer leisure spaces for youth: addressing oppositional sexism and experiencing psychic affirmation. Leisure Sciences.


Litwiller, F., Chesser, S., Henhawk, D. (2023). Justice as Inclusion: A Critical Conversation About Inclusion and Belonging. Special Issue “Leisure, Inclusion and Belonging”. Leisure/Loisir, 47(4), 639-658.


Litwiller, F. (2021). Youth perspectives on genderplay recreation programming: insights and critiques on identity development theories. Leisure Sciences, 46(2), 167-184.


Litwiller, F. (2020). Normative drag culture and the making of precarity. Leisure Studies. 39(4), 600-612.


Gallant, K., Hutchinson, S., White, C., Hamilton-Hinch, B., Litwiller, F., Lauckner, H., & Burns, R. (2019). Reaching out to welcome in: Guidelines for socially inclusive recreation settings and programs for people with mental health challenges. Leisure/Loisir, 44(3), 327-351.

Highlights

Dr. Litwiller has been recognized for their research and scholarship with awards from the University of Manitoba as well as national and international scholarly organizations. Their work has been supported through the University of Manitoba as well as provincial and national funding agencies.

Awards

  • University of Manitoba Rh Award (Terry G. Falconer Emerging Researcher Award) (2022)
  • University of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty Association, Merit Award in Research, Scholarly Work and Creative Activities (2021)
  • Canadian Association for Leisure Studies (CALS) Emerging Leisure Scholar Award (2019)
  • The Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS) (United States), Leadership for the Future award (2017)

Funding

  • Litwiller, F.  (2024). Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, Insight Grant. Genderplay, gender euphoria and contexts of oppressions: Experiences of queer youth in central Canada.
  • McPhail, D., Lorway, R., Mason, C, Litwiller, F. (2021). Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, Insight Development Grant. Queering Covid: The Impacts of Social Distancing Practices on 2SLGBTQ Communities.
  • Litwiller, F. (2020). Canadian Foundation for Innovation, John R. Evans Leaders Fund. Enhancing resilience among rural 2SLGBTQ youth: Research at the intersection of gender.
  • Litwiller, F. (2018). Research Manitoba New Investigator Award. How do rural LGBT2SQ youth in Manitoba negotiate gender and sexual identities and develop resilience?
  • Litwiller, F.  (2018). Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada, Insight Development Grant. The Gender Project: Using drag performance to explore gender identity with transgender youth. 
     

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)