Research in Sport & Sporting Events

Through the activities of CCSE we have created a vibrant research community that you would be welcomed into.

Recently, we have had PhD students in the Centre focusing on research into sport and sport events in the following thematic areas:

• Sport and diplomacy (Tokyo 2020 Olympics)
• Sport, mega events and governance (2026 FIFA World Cup)
• Sport events and labour rights (2022 FIFA World Cup)
• Disability sport events and participation
• Sport for development and peace

Our Sporting Culture and Events researchers have expertise in wide range of areas relating to the societal aspects of sporting events and are keen to explore research ideas in line with their expertise which includes:

• Sport events, human rights and governance
• Sport events, human rights and sport federations
• Sport events, development and peace
• Sport events and disability
• Sport events, diplomacy and sportwashing
• Sport events, protest and advocacy
• Sport events, human rights and urban development
• Sport events, human rights and workers

We welcome applications from anyone whose research ambitions links, however broadly, with these areas, and members of the Unit are happy to discuss the possibility of developing studentship and funding applications.

We can confidently state that our activities directly map to 5 UN SDGs:

SDG 3 - Good Health & Wellbeing; SDG 5 - Gender Equality; SDG 8 - Decent Work & Economic Growth; SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities; SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

UWS aims to be among the global leaders of excellent, relevant and purposeful research aligned with the United Nations SDGs by placing them at the heart of our Strategy 2025.

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, UWS was officially recognised in the top 400 universities worldwide as assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UWS was recognised as the 2nd most impactful university in Scotland, and 16th globally, for 'reducing inequalities' (UN SDG 10).

Find out more about UWS and Un SDGs

Established in 2018, the UWS Centre for Culture, Sport and Events (CCSE) undertakes collaborative research across the social sciences, business and humanities. Research outputs produced by the Centre have been deemed 4* world leading, and our impact case study Events as Social Change was judged as 4* internationally outstanding in the UK REF 2021 review.

CCSE focuses on sport mega-events and human rights, sport and disability, cultural heritage and inclusion, culture, sport and soft power, sport and art diplomacy, tourism development, and tourism, sustainability and cultural regeneration. CCSE acts as a hub for our events and tourism research community.

Centre for Culture, Sport and Events

The minimum requirements for an applicant for registration for the degree of MRes or MPhil or for the degree of MRes/MPhil with the intention of transfer to PhD shall be a first or second class honours degree of a university in the United Kingdom, or of an equivalent qualification.

Applicants holding qualifications other than those specified in (above) shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed.

Direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University if the applicant holds an MRes/MPhil degree of a United Kingdom University, or an MRes/MPhil degree of equivalent standard of a non-UK University, provided that the MRes/MPhil degree is in a subject area which is appropriate to the proposed programme of work.

Exceptionally, direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University, even if the applicant is not the holder of an MRes/MPhil degree, but does hold an exceptionally high-quality honours degree or taught master’s degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, AND has appropriate research experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in significant peer-reviewed publications, and where verifiable evidence of accomplishment is supplied.

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

• Overall score of 6.5
• No sub-test less than 6.0

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS