Voices of change through COLLECTIVE VISIBILITY: a case of women's empowerment in sport

Purpose – This study aims to explore the transformation and impact of COLLECTIVE VISIBILITY, a speaker directory initiative designed to diversify and amplify women's voices in sports. It addresses the historical dominance of male perspectives in sport speakership and highlights efforts to achieve gender inclusivity in this domain. Design/methodology/approach – The research is grounded in the field of sport and social entrepreneurship and employs a collective autoethnographic methodology. Rooted in collective action theory, this case traces the development of COLLECTIVE VISIBILITY from its initial social media inception to its evolution into a global platform featuring 770 speakers in over 70 countries. Findings – The study finds significant disparities in speaker representation within the sports sector, emphasizing the need for diverse voices. It documents the inclusive, non-hierarchical approach of COLLECTIVE VISIBILITY, which adopts a peer and self-nomination process. The findings highlight the directory's success in elevating women's presence in sports discussions, illustrating the benefits of equal representation. Originality/value – This research offers a unique examination of a grassroots, social media–driven movement in sport speakership, underscoring the role of collective action in driving social change. By focusing on practical outcomes and leveraging an innovative methodological approach, the study contributes original insights into achieving gender inclusivity within the sports sector.