Research
The ECSS's aims and objectives, and list of their key areas of research.
Aims and objectives
Our aims and objectives include critically analysing sport in societies – in other words, seeking to understand sport and its significance in various societies from the perspective of improving sport in ways that critical researchers view as ‘improvement’. However, our equal focus is on analysing the significance of sport as a constituent part of society from the perspective of improving society in ways that align with a critical assessment of society. This includes challenging some commonly held views around the purpose and utility of sport and its relationship with societies.
We seek to transform understanding of societies in relation to sport wherever possible. Governments in many countries around the world view sport as functional sites for ideologically motivated agendas such as physical activity for health, national prestige and unity, urban regeneration, international relations, and ‘legacy’ to name a few. While sport serves valuable functions for some or all of these agendas, critical assessments of sport’s legitimate roles and society’s moral obligations are required in the field of study.
Key areas of research
- (Alleged) Legacies of Sport
- Sport, Empire and Imperialism
- Sport in Asia Pacific Society and Culture
- Major and Mega Sport Events
- Sport and Social Identities (gender, (dis)ability, ‘race’, class)
- Scottish Policy and Sport
- Media Representation of Sport
- Military-civil Relations and Sport
- ‘Sectarianism’ and Sport
- Sport Diplomacy and Global Politics
- Sport Tourism
Further information
For more detailed information about our research, please go to our Members page where there is access to members’ profiles detailing research.