Katharine Worth

Katharine Worth is a doctoral candidate at the University of Western Australia in the School of Humanities. She completed her Master of Science in Nationalism Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Since her undergraduate research on the rise of nationalism in France and Germany through the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Katharine's research interests have been centred on understanding the role of nationalism is society whether it be historical or current. Katharine’s background is in History and European Studies, with a keen interest in sport history and the role of nationalism in sports. 

Katharine has experience in the sporting world, a former gymnast and currently the programme director of Rhythmic Gymnastics at a Western Australian gymnastics club.

Her current doctoral research in Australia examines the role of nationalism and national identity in Formula One (including the sport’s early predecessors) from 1894 to the present day through a series of case studies. Motor racing, and particularly that of Formula One, remain neglected from academic research. This research stems from a question asked in her Master’s thesis - is it possible to remove politics from sports, particularly that of the Olympic Games? Could Formula One, a sport structured around corporate teams, offer a different perspective?

Katharine’s main research interests are in sport’s history and nationalism studies. This includes a range of sports and sporting organisations as well as different applications of nationalism studies and nationalism theories.

Katharine currently writes for a women’s sporting blog, Sporting Her which seeks to shed light on women’s sport – including the achievements of women and issues faced for female athletes.

In addition, Katharine has also written for the University of Edinburgh’s  Academy of Sport blog Sport Matters.