Biography

Research

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDG:

Journal Articles

• Ayer, N., 2025. Online tennis forum member dynamics and collective leisure experience. Loisir Et Societe, 48 (1), 71-89.
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• Ayer, N. and McCarville, R., 2021. Creating and consuming content: exploring member engagement and role acceptance within an online tennis forum. Leisure Loisir, 45 (4), 525-550.
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• Barton, K.R., Yazdani, A., Ayer, N., Kalvapalle, S., Brown, S., Stapleton, J., Brown, D.G. and Harrigan, K.A., 2017. The Effect of Losses Disguised as Wins and Near Misses in Electronic Gaming Machines: A Systematic Review. J Gambl Stud, 33 (4), 1241-1260.
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• Ayer, N., 2015. Interpersonal dynamics in sport. Illuminare: A Student Journal in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Research, 13 (1).
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Books

• Polkinghorne, M. et al., 2023. Fusion Learning Conference 2023 - Proceedings. Poole, Dorset, UK, BH12 5BB: Bournemouth University.
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Chapters

• Ayer, N. and Cooper, J.R., 2021. Exploring retention and rewards in community sport volunteering. The Routledge Handbook of Volunteering in Events, Sport and Tourism. Taylor & Francis Group.
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• Ayer, N. and McCarville, R., 2020. Forging connections and community within an online tennis forum. Leisure and its communities: Rethinking mutuality, collective expression and belonging in the new century. Routledge.
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• Ayer, N. and McCarville, R., 2019. Exploring an online tennis community. Routledge Handbook of Tennis: History, Culture and Politics. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
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Conferences

• Ayer, N.S., 2025. In solidarity: The power of an online sport community. In: The North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) 5-8 November 2025 Vancouver, BC.
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• Ayer, N.S., 2025. The yellow ball. In: The Sixteenth International Conference on Sport & Society 2-4 July 2025 Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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• Ayer, N., 2023. While Wimbledon Slept: Exploration of the Collective Online Tennis Experience. In: Tennis History Conference 3 November 2023 The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.
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• Ayer, N., 2023. Online tennis forum member dynamics: A changed scene? In: Leisure Studies Association Conference 11-13 July 2023 Bournemouth University.
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• Ayer, N., 2023. Online tennis forum member dynamics in the face of disruption. In: Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR) 17, A Half Century of Canadian Leisure Research: Towards a More Inclusive Future 23-26 May 2023 University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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• Ayer, N. and McCarville, R., 2018. Exploring the power dynamics in an online sports fan community. In: XIX International Sociological Association (ISA) World Congress of Sociology: Power, Violence and Justice – Reflections, Responses, and Responsibilities. 15-21 July 2018 Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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• Ayer, N. and McCarville, R., 2017. Online tennis forum: An arena for a coach-athlete relationship? In: 2017 North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) Conference, Sport Matters: Physics, Politics, Performances, Pedagogies 1-4 November 2017 Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
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• Ayer, N., Jiang, K., McCarville, R. and Mannell, R., 2016. Farm tourists: Exploring reasons for visiting "Ferienhof Faust". In: Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Canada Chapter 28-30 September 2016 Edmonton, Calgary, Canada.
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• Ayer, N. and McCarville, R., 2016. Online communities: The case of tennis enthusiasts. In: 3rd ISA Forum of Sociology: The Futures we want: Global Sociology and Struggles for a Better World. 10-14 July 2016 University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Reports

• Harrigan, K., Brown, D., Stapleton, J., Barton, K., Yazdani, A., Ayer, N., Brown, S. and Kalvapalle, S., 2016. Evidence Brief: The effect and regulation of electronic gaming machine near misses and losses disguised as wins (LDWs) on the player. Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Gambling Research Exchange Ontario. Available from: https://www.greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/Details/effect-and-regulation-electronic-gaming-machine-near-misses-and-losses-disguised-wins-ldws.
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• Harrigan, K., Brown, D., Stapleton, J., Barton, K., Yazdani, A., Ayer, N., Brown, S. and Kalvapalle, S., 2016. Research briefing note: Summary of the effect and regulation of electronic gaming machine near misses and losses disguised as wins (LDWs) on the player. Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Gambling Research Exchange Ontario. Available from: https://www.greo.ca/Modules/EvidenceCentre/Details/research-briefing-note-summary-effect-and-regulation-electronic-gaming-machine-near-misses.
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• Smale, B., 2016. A profile of wellbeing in Ontario: The Central Region. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Canadian Index of Wellbeing. Available from: https://uwaterloo.ca/canadian-index-wellbeing/sites/ca.canadian-index-wellbeing/files/uploads/files/ciw-ontariowellbeing-central_region-oct2016.pdf.
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• Smale, B., 2016. A profile of wellbeing in Ontario: Toronto. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada: Canadian Index of Wellbeing. Available from: http://docplayer.net/78145683-A-profile-of-wellbeing-in-ontario-toronto-an-agency-of-the-government-of-ontario-un-organisme-du-gouvernement-de-l-ontario.html.
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Theses

• Ayer, N., 2018. Online leisure communities: The case of tennis enthusiasts. PhD Thesis. University of Waterloo, Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.
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Posters

• Ayer, N., 2025. The yellow ball. In: The Sixteenth International Conference on Sport & Society, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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• Adams, A. and Ayer, N., 2023. Exploring student engagement via summative assessment of an academic poster. In: Fusion Learning Conference 2023, Bournemouth University.
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• Ayer, N., 2022. Robin's Story - from Dropping Out of School to a Career in Tennis. In: The Thirteenth International Conference on Sport & Society. Aarhus University, Denmark.
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• Ayer, N., 2018. Exploring the importance of coach-player relationship in inclusive tennis programming. In: Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society, Miami, USA.
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• Ayer, N., 2017. Tennis coaching, athlete development and organizational effectiveness in Canada. In: Eighth International Conference on Sport and Society, London, UK.
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• Ayer, N. and McCarville, R., 2017. Word of mouth dynamics in an online sport community. In: 15th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR): Engaging Legacies, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
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• Ayer, N. and Jiang, K., 2015. A systematic literature review of service quality research in tourism, hospitality, and leisure. In: 2015 Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Canada Chapter Annual Conference, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada..
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• Cooper, J.R. and Ayer, N., 2014. Women in community sport leadership roles: A survey of women sport volunteers in Kitchener-Waterloo, On, Canada. In: 6th International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) World Conference, Helsinki, Finland..
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• Cooper, J.R. and Ayer, N., 2014. How to make it happen: Women with disabilities participating in sport. In: 6th International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) World Conference, Helsinki, Finland.
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Others

• Ayer, N., 2024. While Wimbledon Slept: Exploration of the Collective Online Tennis Experience. Tennis Gallery Wimbledon: The Tennis Historian. Published.
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• Ayer, N., 2015. Safety and Wellbeing [Blog]. Canadian Index of Wellbeing, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Published online.
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Profile of Teaching PG

• Masters dissertation supervision

Profile of Teaching UG

• Principles of Sport Management
• Managing Sport for Development
• Beginning Research in Sport & Exercise
• Managing Sport Development
• Undergraduate dissertations supervision

External Responsibilities

• Leisure Sciences, Associate Editor (2023-)
• Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR17), Session Moderator (2023)
• Journal of Leisure Research, Associate Editor (2022-)
• Leisure Studies Association, Annual Conference, Scientific Co-chair (2022-2023)
• Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR16), Paper Reviewer & Session Moderator (2021)
• Sport Management Review, Reviewer (2020-2021)
• KW Sports Council, Volunteer (2018-)
• Event Management: An International Journal, Reviewer (2016-2020)
• Illuminare: A Student Journal in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Studies, Topic Editor for Tourism Management (2016-2018)

Internal Responsibilities

• Steering Committee Member, Academic Advisory Working Group, Bournemouth University
• Member, Placement Exemption Board, Bournemouth University
• BSc Sport Management Level 4 (year 1) Coordinator, Bournemouth University
• Panellist, Social Sciences & Humanities Research Ethics Panel, Bournemouth University

Public Engagement & Outreach Activities

• Wheelchair Tennis Try It Session (24 Aug 2019)

Conference Presentations

• The North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS), In solidarity: The power of an online sport community, 05 Nov 2025, Vancouver, BC
• The Sixteenth International Conference on Sport & Society, The yellow ball, 02 Jul 2025, Melbourne, Australia
• Tennis History Conference, While Wimbledon Slept: Exploration of the Collective Online Tennis Experience, 03 Nov 2023, The All England Tennis Club, Wimbledon
• Leisure Studies Association, Online tennis forum member dynamics: A changed scene?, 11 Jul 2023, Bournemouth University
• Fusion Learning Conference 2023, Exploring student engagement via summative assessment of an academic poster, 05 Jul 2023, Bournemouth University., Poole, UK
• Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR) 17, Online tennis forum member dynamics in the face of disruption, 23 May 2023, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
• The Thirteenth International Conference on Sport & Society, Robin's Story - from Dropping Out of School to a Career in Tennis, 30 Jun 2022, Aarhus University, Denmark
• Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society, Exploring the coach-player relationship in inclusive tennis programming., 19 Jul 2018, North Miami, USA
• XIX International Sociological Association (ISA) World Congress of Sociology: Power, Violence and Justice - Reflections, Responses, and Responsibility, Exploring the power dynamics in an online sports fan community., 15 Jul 2018, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• North American Society for the Sociology of Sport, Online tennis forum: An arena for a coach-athlete relationship?, 01 Nov 2017, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
• Eighth International Conference on Sport and Society, Tennis coaching, athlete development and organizational effectiveness in Canada, 10 Jul 2017, London, UK
• 15th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research, Word of mouth dynamics in an online sport community, 23 May 2017, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
• Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Canada Chapter Annual Conference, Farm tourists: Exploring reasons for visiting “Ferienhof Faust”, 28 Sep 2016, Edmonton, Calgary, Canada
• Critical Tourism Studies North America Conference, Sleeping in the Hay: An act of resistance against mass tourism?, 01 Aug 2016, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada
• 3rd ISA Forum of Sociology: The Futures we want: Global Sociology and Struggles for a Better World, Online communities: The case of tennis enthusiasts, 10 Jul 2016, Vienna, Austria
• Seventh International Conference on Sport and Society and the Sport and Society Knowledge Community, Coaching experience: The case of Canadian tennis coaches, 02 Jun 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
• Seventh International Conference on Sport and Society and the Sport and Society Knowledge Community, Canadian women volunteers in community sport clubs, 02 Jun 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
• Seventh International Conference on Sport and Society and the Sport and Society Knowledge Community, Leisure physical activity, mental health, and life satisfaction among Canadians, 02 Jun 2016, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
• Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) Canada Chapter Annual Conference, A systematic literature review of service quality research in tourism, hospitality, and leisure, 23 Sep 2015, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
• 6th International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) World Conference, Women in community sport leadership roles: A survey of women sport volunteers, 12 Jun 2014, Helsinki, Finland
• 6th International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) World Conference, How to make it happen: Women with disabilities participating in sport, 12 Jun 2014, Helsinki, Finland

Attended Training

• Fundamentals of University Teaching Certificate
• Tri-Council Policy Statement Certificate
• Cardio Tennis Certificate
• Teaching Online: Advanced Skills for Graduate Students
• Grading Essays
• Assessing Student Learning
• LEARN (D2L) Instructor user group
• Employee safety orientation (supervisor training)
• Workplace violence awareness
• Transitioning: TA to Instructor
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Academic integrity
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
• Wheelchair Tennis Certificate
• National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP1) Certificate
• Tennis Instructor & Tennis Coordinator Certificate
• Supervisory Development Training for New PhD Supervisors
• Pickleball Leaders Certificate

Honours

• AHS Graduate Experience Award
• Athletic Financial Award
• Fellow (FHEA)
• Graduate Milestone Scholarship
• Judson Whiteside Leadership Award
• Most Valuable Player
• Ontario University Athletics Academic Achievement Award
• Ontario University Athletics Bronze Medal
• Outstanding Graduating Senior
• Provost Doctorate Award
• Senate Graduate Scholarship
• The President's Athlete Academic Honour Roll
• Wilfrid L. Blitzer Language Contest Award

Memberships

• Leisure Sciences, Associate Editor (2023-),
• Leisure Studies Association, Member (2023-),
• Higher Education Academy, Fellow (2022-),
• Journal of Leisure Research, Associate Editor (2022-),
• Kitchener-Waterloo Sport Council, Board of Directors (2018-2021),
• Kitchener-Waterloo Sport Council, Webmaster (2018-),
• Canadian Association for Leisure Studies, Member (2017-),
• The Academy of Leisure Sciences, Member (2017-),
• Tourism Research Information Network, Member (2017-),