Dr Walker J. Ross

Lecturer in Sport Management and Digital Marketing

Biography

Background

Originally from the United States, I teach courses in sport management at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level while maintaining an active research agenda.

My research focuses on sport ecology and sustainability with emphasis on the impact of climate change on sport, sport governance, institutional behaviors, and stakeholders. Contexts for my research have included the Olympic Games, FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cups, and venue management. This research has been featured published in several impactful journals including Event Management, Managing Sport and Leisure, and Sport in Society, and it has also been featured in popular press articles from the Associated Press, Reuters, BBC, Sky, ESPN, DW, CNN, Front Office Sports, and other reputable news outlets.

Memberships I maintain include the Sport Ecology Group, the European Association for Sport Management, and the North American Society for Sport Management. Previous professional experience includes working in marketing and promotions for an NCAA Division I university, working in events and promotions in professional men’s and women’s football in the US, sportswear product testing, event consultancy, and coaching water polo.

Qualifications

PhD in Sport and Entertainment Management, University of South Carolina

Seminar in Olympic Studies, International Olympic Academy

MS in Kinesiology, University of Georgia

BA in Environmental Ethics and Policy, University of Portland

Undergraduate teaching

Sport and Communication

Sport, Media and Society

Postgraduate teaching

Sport Marketing and Communications

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Areas of interest for supervision

Welcoming any inquiries about PhD supervision. Please, reach out if you are interested or if I can assist in any way.

Research summary

My research explores the bidirectional relationship between sport and the natural environment: sport ecology. It focuses on anything related to sport, environment, climate, and sustainability. In the past, this has been focused on venues and mega-events like the Olympic Games and FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, but I am open to the study of this topic in any context. Theoretical perspectives I have utilized include management and governance theories like: institutional theory, stakeholder theory, and resource-based view of the firm. My research methods are always driven by the nature of the question which has led me to employ a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Current research interests

Sport ecology, climate change, Olympic Games, World Cups, environmental justice, as well as space utilization and land development

Affiliated research centres

Research activities

View all 3 activities on Research Explorer

View all 22 publications on Research Explorer

Conference details

Murfree, J. R., & Ross, W. J. (2023, September). The prioritization of climate action for supporter-owned football clubs in Ireland: a Delphi case study. Paper presented at the meeting of EASM 2023 Conference, Belfast, UK.

Ross, W. J., Pfahl, M., & Trendafilova, S. (2023, September). Racing with a purpose: Sustainability in Formula E. Paper presented at the meeting of EASM 2023 Conference, Belfast, UK.

Fisackerly, W., & Ross, W. J. (2023, June). Esports ecology: A preliminary conceptual analysis. Paper presented at the meeting of NASSM 2023 Conference, Montreal, Canada.

Invited speaker

Ross, W. J. & Orr, M. (2023, October). Managing and getting ahead of climate risks. Speaker invited by Sport Positive Summit, London, UK.

Ross, W. J. et al. (2023, April). 7th Commonwealth debate on sport and sustainable development. Panelist invited by the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, UK.

Rogers, J., Ross, W. J., & Bradshaw, P. (2023, February). Climate change and football. Panelist invited by the City Football Leadership Institute, Virtual.

Ross, W. J. & Robertson, M. (2022, December). The debrief: The World Cup of controversy: Mega-events: The ethical, environmental and social cost. Panelist invited by the Law Society of Scotland, Virtual.

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