Sport Ecology

Climate and Extreme Weather in Sport

Environmental Justice in Sport

Jessica R. Murfree, Ph.D., received a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Sport Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC-Chapel Hill, Dr. Murfree gained experience as a manager for the Men’s Soccer team, intern for athletic marketing, and Vice President of the Carolina Athletic Association, to become an Operations Assistant after graduating. In North Carolina, Dr. Murfree also gained experience with organizations such as the Atlantic Coast Conference and Soccer [dot] com. Dr. Murfree then obtained a Master of Arts in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Management from the University of Alabama, where she served two years as an Athletic Event Management Graduate Assistant. Here, Dr. Murfree gained experience with the Southeastern Conference, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and NCAA, among others, in capacities such as game management and tournament directorship. Dr. Murfree then went on to complete her Ph.D. in Sport Administration at the University of Louisville.
Dr. Murfree joined the faculty of the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management at Texas A&M University in 2021, Dr. Murfree is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Sport Management program within the where she is an Accountability, Climate, Equity, and Scholarship (ACES) Faculty Fellow. Her research examines the effects of climate change on sport, namely the social and legal implications of extreme weather and climate risks, and environmental injustices faced by historically marginalized groups in sport and recreation. Dr. Murfree’s research has informed organizations like the Global Youth Network Summit on Sports for Climate Action, Texas A&M Athletics, Climate Week NYC, the Green Sports Alliance, and Ocean Conservancy. Dr. Murfree’s research coincides with her membership on the Sustainability Committee for the North American Society for Sport Management and the Sport Ecology Group.

Ph.D., Sport Administration, University of Louisville

M.A., Sport Management, University of Alabama

B.A., Sport Administration, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill