The Academy of Sport is an Independent Think Tank and Network Centre born from a desire to serve local and global communities.
We provide a home for ideas and solutions and allow students, staff, sporting communities and organisations to meet and make a difference.
We are open to all who share our vision and who want to work with us. We acknowledge that we cannot and should not do this alone. But together, we can aspire to make sports knowledge, sports research, the study of sport and advocacy involving sport work for more people, more often and in more communities.
We endeavour to connect people who are striving to create a more just world in and through sport.
Watch 'Sport: More than just a game'
Join us
The output of AoS and its partners must be greater than the sum of its parts. Our best work gets done when we come together to co-produce and support outputs, voices and advocacy in support of our vision. Contact Professor Grant Jarvie, Chair of Sport, if you're interested in working with us.
Email Professor Grant Jarvie (Grant.Jarvie@ed.ac.uk)
Vision
That sport plays its part, and is seen to be playing its part, in addressing the challenges that face humanity in the 21st century.
Objectives
- Sustain an Independent Think Tank and Network Centre
- Create a critical mass of knowledge, research and strategic collaboration in and through sport
- Enable widening access and opportunity to sports education
- Cooperate to deliver outcomes in and through sport
The three pillars of our work
Our work is organised around three pillars:
"The Academy of Sport is unique. Its researchers perform cutting-edge, rigorous scholarly work on a wide range of topics on sport. It brings together scholars from around the world to develop projects that enhance the role sport plays, e.g., battling racism, sexism and poverty. It has created innovative community programs that increase access to education and democratize learning."
- International Visiting Professor
"[The research is] really insightful and informative. The survey and partnership we have had with the Uni has been brilliant."
- CEO, Premier League Football Club
We seek to:
- exchange knowledge about and through sport
- widen access to research and expertise
- provide sporting solutions
- be a gathering place for ideas
- collaborate with communities and partners
We have supported governments around the world as they struggle to realise the potential of sport as a cultural asset and deliver real intentional outcomes on poverty, health, equality and the forging of an enlarged common good.
The Academy of Sport supports a dialogue on how sport can contribute to the urgent questions of our time. We act as a hub to enable the exchange of ideas and seek to collectively influence future agendas through advocacy.
Our public lecture and seminar series opens up access to sports debates. Our professional fellows add to our impact and reach.
"This [Sport for Sustainable Development] course provides an exciting opportunity for all those in the Pacific and around the world interested in learning how to take action and use sport to make a positive impact. In the Pacific, sport is being used by governments, organisations and communities as an enabler of change."
- President of the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) and Executive Board Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
"Being in partnership with Edinburgh University lets our community come in and engage with their love of football."
- Programme Development Manager, Scottish Premier League Football Club
The University of Edinburgh is ranked 16th in the world for sport-related subjects
The Academy of Sport provides opportunities to access study at one of the world’s leading universities. We are recognised as pioneers in the development of online-accessible sports courses.
Learn more about and enroll in our free online course: Football - More than a game
Explore the world of football, its role in the world today, finances, clubs, nations, rivalries and much more in our free online course.
- Watch the video to learn more about the course
- Register for Football: More than a Game with Coursera
- Register for Football: More than a Game with Future Learn
Sport for Sustainable Development: Designing Effective Policies and Programmes
Explore the ways in which sport can actively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and other objectives.
Barça Innovation Hub – Universitas
Our association with FC Barcelona means that we can offer a range of certificates designed to advance the professional knowledge and capabilities of anyone interested in today's sports and football industry.
Postgraduate study at Moray House
We support flagship MSc Postgraduate Programmes in sport and offer opportunities to study for a PhD, building upon your interest in sport.
Since 2015 sport has had a mandate from the United Nations to address world issues. We are keen to exchange knowledge and support a dialogue around how sport can enable both sporting and non-sporting outcomes.
The Gaelic Sports Voices and Dialogue opens up a discussion about sport in Gaelic culture - Guthan Spòrs Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh a’ cnuasachd spòrs ann an cultar na Gàidhlig.
Our blog
Videos
Football: More than a game
Free education through football on our massive online open course.
Educated Pass
Educated Pass works with boys and girls as well as their coaches and families. It builds on their understanding of and commitment to sport to generate a similar commitment to their education.
Edinburgh-Toronto public symposia and lectures
The Universities of Edinburgh and Toronto host a public lecture and seminar series that features researchers and others who have contributed to knowledge, debate and dialogue about sport, physical activity, kinesiology, exercise science and physical education.
Annual report, minutes and road map
The latest annual report and the minutes of our most recent board meeting are now available to download.
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