Skip to Search
Skip to Navigation
Skip to Content

University of Connecticut Neag School of Education Department of Kinesiology


Photo of Laura Burton

Laura J. Burton

  • Associate Professor
Laura Burton is an associate professor of sport management in the department of kinesiology. Her current research interests include (i) how to increase women’s representation in leadership positions in sport management; (ii) how the experience of sport participation influences women’s career progression in business management and sport management; and (ii) how to provide children at risk for obesity with physical activity opportunities, and how to best lead those children into sporting opportunities throughout their lives. Dr. Burton works in collaboration with Dr. Jaci VanHeest in the implementation and evaluation of Dr. VanHeest’s Paw PALS program. This unique program provides before school physical activity opportunities for elementary school children at risk for obesity. Dr. Burton teaches courses in sport management, issues in sport, sport facility and event management, and sport psychology.
  • Contact Information:
  • Office:
    • Location: Gampel 218
    • Hours: Monday 10:00am - 11:30am and Wed. 3:30pm - 4:30pm and by appointment
  • Mailing Address:
    • 2095 Hillside Rd.
    • U-1110
    • Storrs, CT 06269
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Sport Management
    • Gender Role Conflict Research
  • Currently Teaching:
    • EKIN 3310 Introduction to Sport Management
    • EKIN 3351 Issues in Sport
    • EKIN 5300 Management of Sport Services
    • EKIN 3320Introduction to Sport & Exercise Psychology
    • EKIN 5340 Sport Facilities and Event Management
  • Honors and Awards:
    • Outstanding Doctoral Student Researcher, University of Connecticut, 2002
  • Educational Background:
    • Ph.D. Social Science of Sport, Sport Management, University of Connecticut, 2002
    • M.S. Physical Education, Athletic Training Concentration, Illinois State University, 1995
    • B.S. Biology, Fairfield University, 1992
  • Selected Publications/Presentations:
    • Burton, L.J., & VanHeest, J.V. (2007) The Importance of Physical Activity in Closing the Achievement Gap, Quest, 59(2), 212-218.
    • Burton, L.J., Grappendorf, H., Henderson, A., Field, G.B., & Dennis, J.A.. (2008). “The relevance of athletic participation for women: Examining hiring preferences to entry-level management positions using role congruity theory.” International Journal of Sport Management, 9, 1-18.
    • Burton, L.J., VanHeest, J.V., Rallis, S.F. & Reis, S.M. (2006) “Going for Gold: Understanding Talent Development Through the Lived Experiences of US Female Olympians.” Journal of Adult Development, 13, 124-136. Published online January 3, 2008.
    • Grappendorf, H., Burton, L.J., & Henderson, A. (2008). “Does Athletic Participation Provide an Advantage with Initial Salary Recommendations? Utilizing a Role Congruity Theory Approach.” Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual, 23, 147-174.
    • Fink, J.S., Burton, L.J., & Bruening, J.E. (2008). “Diversity Training in a Sport Management Class: The Effects of Different Frames on Students’ Attitudes- Toward Organizational Diversity.” International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 4, 185-203.
    • Henderson, A.C., Grappendorf, H. & Burton, L.J. (2009) Investigating Attractiveness in the Hiring Process of Female Athletes. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 24.
    • Burton, L.J., Barr, C., Fink, J.S., & Bruening, J.E. (2009) "Think Athletic Director, Think Masculine?":Examination of the Gender Typing of Managerial Subroles within Athletic Administration Positions" Sex Roles, 61,416-426.
    • Burton, L.J. & Welty Peachey, J. (2009) “Transactional or transformational? Leadership Preferences ofDivision III Athletic Administrators”. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 2, 245-259.
    • Burton, L.J., Grappendorf, H., & Henderson, A., (2011) Perceptions of Gender in Athletic Administration: Utilizing Role Congruity to Examine (Potential) Prejudice Against Women. Journal of Sport Management, 25, 36-45.
    • Welty Peachey, J., & Burton, L.J. (2011) Male or female? Exploring leader effectiveness and femaleleadership advantage with athletic directors. Sex Roles, 64, 416-425.
  • Funded Research:
    • Burton, L.J. and VanHeest, J.L. “Assessing the Impacts of a School Based Physical Activity Intervention Program (Paw PALS) on Physiological and Psychosocial Measures in Obese Children”
    • Burton, L.J. “Examining Hiring Preferences and Evaluation of Managerial Subroles by Managers in Sport Organizations”
    • Burton, L.J. "Coaching high school athletes in Connecticut: Evaluation of a psychosocial coach training program"