Abstract

In this article, I examine the intersection of feminist values and institutional politics in sport studies, emphasizing the role of mentorship in fostering social justice–oriented scholarship. Through an autoethnographic approach, I reflect on my experiences as a mentee and mentor across academic institutions, advocating for a mentorship approach that supports the personal and professional challenges faced by graduate students. The study highlights the enduring politicization of women’s roles in sport, exploring how feminist frameworks—particularly standpoint theory and intersectionality—offer critical tools for navigating these spaces. Key challenges identified include navigating institutional resistance to feminist and decolonial perspectives and balancing emotional labor inherent in social justice research. I argue that creating supportive academic communities grounded in empathy, ethics of care, and reflexivity can empower scholars to address structural inequalities in sport and academia. This article ultimately calls for a mentorship model that integrates feminist ethics to foster resilience, inclusivity, and transformative change in academia.