Insights from Emma Thomas: Survivor, Researcher, & Sports Ethicist
This seminar draws from Emma’s research to illustrate the importance of a holistic, collaborative and multi-layered approach to the prevention of abuse in sport. Emma will discuss how we can build a culture that has survivors’ wellbeing at its heart.
Date: Monday 17 November 2025
Time: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
About Emma Thomas
Emma Thomas is a sports ethicist specialising in safeguarding in Muay Thai, and a trustee board member at Safe Sport International.
She’s also the founder of Under the Ropes, an online platform promoting safe and inclusive cultures in Muay Thai, with a focus on eliminating gender-based violence.
After experiencing sexual violence from a coach during her fighting career as an athlete, Emma became a vocal advocate, using her story to create awareness. She now helps other survivors access resources for support.
She recently completed her master’s degree in Sports Ethics & Integrity. For her thesis, she conducted the world’s first study on women’s experiences of sexual harassment and abuse in Muay Thai. This involved interviewing survivors and analysing various organisations’ safeguarding policies.
Emma’s study examines the roles that interpersonal, organisational, and societal factors play in survivors’ experiences. She also addresses the power dynamics that are present throughout their experiences. Her findings identified alarming failures by sports authorities to prevent sexual violence. She also identified cultural factors that perpetuate the issue, and broader social factors that need to be addressed.
This seminar draws from Emma’s research to illustrate the importance of a holistic, collaborative and multi-layered approach to the prevention of abuse in sport.
Book Your Place