The University of Toronto is mourning the loss of Dr. Katherine Tamminen, Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. A leading figure in sport psychology, Dr. Tamminen made lasting contributions to research, education, and the wider athletic community.
Her work focused on the complex relationships between stress, coping, and emotions in sports, particularly in relation to athlete mental health and the experiences of young athletes. Dr. Tamminen’s pioneering research explored emotion regulation, parent-child communication in sports, and the social dimensions of coping within teams, leaving a significant impact on both theory and practice.
Dr. Tamminen was also a dedicated educator, shaping the minds of undergraduate and graduate students through courses on sport and exercise psychology, stress management, and qualitative research methods. Beyond teaching, she served as co-Editor in Chief of Psychology of Sport and Exercise and was a former president of the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS). Her scholarship, mentorship, and leadership will continue to influence generations of sport psychologists and the broader field for years to come.