Corliss Bean knows first-hand the challenges mothers face navigating physical activity after the birth of a child.

Since becoming a mother four years ago, the Brock University Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies has passionately pursued research on postpartum women returning to physically active leisure.

After she delivered her first child, she couldn’t find many resources on how to safely return to physical activity beyond the six-week doctor checkup. As she spoke with other postpartum women and new mothers, she found she wasn’t alone.

“It’s an underexplored, yet important area of research,” she says. “Physical activity for mothers often falls to the wayside given the abundant priorities on their radar, but it’s vital for our mental and physical health.”

After becoming a mother four years ago, Corliss Bean developed a passion for research exploring postpartum women returning to physical activity. Currently on parental leave, she tries to find time to move her body by going on nature hikes with her two children.

Since diving deeper into the topic, Bean has co-authored several guidebooks, blogs and papers. Some themes from her research include mothers reimagining what physically active leisure is and practising self-compassion.

When mothers reframed physical activity from structured exercise to moving their bodies, they found it easier to be active.

Small amounts of physical activity, even five to 10 minutes at a time, can be beneficial, says Bean. Going for stroller walks, stretching or doing planks when baby is doing tummy time are a few ways mothers can incorporate movement into their daily lives.

“There is a lot going on for mothers in all facets of their life, from physical and emotional recovery to sleep deprivation. What we used to do before being a mom might not be feasible for us right now,” she says. “Reframing physical activity as something a mother does for their mind and body is critical: when moms feel healthy and happy, they also feel like better parents.”

Bean also explores how sport, recreation and leisure can be used to foster physical and psychosocial development in the community, with a focus on women and girls. Her work involves research partnerships with a variety of academic and community organizations, and it has used innovative arts-based methods and evaluation practices, such as digital storytelling and auto-photography.

These contributions to her field were recently recognized when Bean received the Emerging Leisure Scholar Award from the Canadian Association of Leisure Studies.

“The extent to which Dr. Bean engages in partnership, evaluation and community-engaged scholarship is impressive for an emerging scholar,” says Associate Professor of Sport Management Kyle Rich, who nominated Bean for the award.

Since starting at Brock in 2020, Bean has received more than $9 million in research funding through various sources, including Tri-Agency grants funded by the Government of Canada. Her scholarly record includes 73 refereed publications and 129 conference presentations and publications.

In her role as Director of Brock’s Centre for Healthy Youth Development through Sport, Bean hosted the inaugural Youth Sport Summit at Brock this past spring, which focused on sharing insights and best practices in several facets of youth sport and physical activity, including inclusivity, injury prevention and mental health.

“Dr. Bean is successful at making her research accessible to students, practitioners, academics and policy-makers,” says Tim O’Connell, Professor and Chair for the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies. “She will undoubtedly continue to have a positive impact on how we comprehend recreation, leisure and sport in society.”

Bean feels proud to advance the field of leisure by studying areas she is so passionate about.

“Sport and physical activity have been in my blood since I was little, and as my life changes, I am grateful and excited that I get to continue explore these leisure contexts within various populations,” she says. “Moving our bodies is so beneficial for our well-being; it’s important to encourage, and practice, it across the lifespan.”