Sport & Society

Sport & Society

The Sport and Society Training Pathway, consisting of Durham University and Northumbria University, supports social science research to critically examine the relationship between sport and society. Across the pathway, we understand ‘sport’ in its broadest terms; to include (but not identical to) physical activity and exercise, involving people moving and performing within culturally specific spaces and contexts, and influenced by varied interests, emotions, instructions and relationships.

Durham

In the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Durham University, we are passionate about conducting cross-disciplinary social science research that meets the demands of understanding sport, physical activity, health and society wellbeing in a rapidly changing world. Our staff have a global reputation for their expertise in and across a range of social science disciplines (sociology, psychology, geography, political science, disability studies) and importantly, for supervising postgraduate research that applies knowledge, explanatory frameworks, and research methods aligned with these disciplines to address some of the most pressing issues inherent to sporting lives and the health of our (local, national, international) communities. A concern for social justice, equity and inclusion is central to this work. Details of current PhD projects can be found by visiting the individual profile pages of our Postgraduate Researchers.

We encourage PhD proposals that will critically examine the relationship between sport and society, and combine the interests and career goals of our potential applicants with the expertise and experience of our sport and exercise sciences staff. We especially welcome enquires from well qualified applicants keen to pursue ambitious research aligned within, or across, these broad topic areas: Women in Sport; Disability; Chronic illness (e.g. COPD, Cancer), Obesity, Menstrual health; Communities at-risk of marginalisation (e.g. LGBTQIA+), Sport Policy and Development, Nutrition/Food Lives. Applicants are encouraged to review our department staff profile pages and make contact directly with an individual staff member regarding supervision. Alternatively, you can contact the departmental Director of Postgraduate Research (and Sport & Society pathway lead for Durham), Professor Cassandra Phoenix.

Northumbria

The Department of Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria offers a rich research environment for ambitious, cross-disciplinary and imaginative proposals for PhD study. The Department prioritises the generation of research addressing the challenges, opportunities, and dilemmas encountered by participants, practitioners, educators, and policy makers in a wide range of sport, exercise and rehabilitation contexts (i.e., high performance, community, and recreational organisations and settings). Example of our social science inquiry include a) the cultural, socio-emotional, and pedagogical, dimensions of sporting experience and sports work, b) power-relations and social influence in organisational life, c) the social and emotional well-being of performers, participants, volunteers, and practitioners, and d) the micro-level enactment of sport, health and recreation policies.

We encourage PhD proposals which will critically examine the relationship between sport and society, especially those that connect practice and policy-led concerns with those of sport related social sciences (e.g., sport coaching and pedagogy, the sociology of sport, sport management, and the social-psychology of sport).  Examples include a) embodying, juggling and managing emotions in everyday practice, b) inequality in sports volunteering, c) the enactment of physical education policies, and d) the social and relational complexity of leadership and management work in high performance and/or community sport organisations. Applicants are encouraged to review our Research Areas, and make contact with respective group leads regarding potential supervision, or alternatively contact Professor Paul Potrac (Sport & Society pathway lead for Northumbria).

Ulster

The Centre for Sport in Society at Ulster University (Centre for Sport in Society | Ulster University Research and Innovation) offers a vibrant, inclusive and supportive environment for PhD researchers to pursue interdisciplinary or single discipline research on the social, cultural, political, and economic significance of sport and physical culture nationally and internationally. Staff within the CSS are internationally recognised for their research across a range of social science fields including sociology, psychology, sports management and policy, coaching and development. Our research has focused in particular on critically interrogating issues related to sport and migration, sport for development and peace, national and gendered identities; disability sport and inclusion/exclusion, children’s rights, sports policy and coaching, the management and governance of sport, sports gambling, parental support in sport, and sport and mental health.

Reflecting our commitment to applied research with real world impact, we collaborate with a wide range of industry stakeholders including international sports federations such as UEFA, FIFA, the IOC, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and World Rally Championship as well as national governing bodies including the Gaelic Athletic Association, Irish Football Association, Golf Ireland, and Cricket Ireland.

We encourage PhD proposals from candidates who share our commitment to cross-disciplinary, ambitious, critical, and applied social scientific research on the relationship between sport and society. In particular, we would welcome enquiries from well qualified, potential applicants who are eager to pursue research that is broadly aligned with the research specialisms of CSS staff as outlined on our staff profile pages (Centre Staff and PhD Researchers | Ulster University Research and Innovation). Please make contact directly with an individual staff member. Alternatively, you can contact the Director of CSS (and Sport & Society pathway lead for Ulster University), Dr Paul Darby (Dr Paul Darby – Reader in Sport & Exercise – staff).