Michael Williams

Michael Williams is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Business and Law, University of Brighton, and a member of the Tourism, Inclusion, Events and Society Research Excellence Group. He also teaches at Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences. His academic journey includes a PhD in 'Music Events as Contemporary Spectacle' focusing on U2's 360° tour (University of Brighton, 2017).

Education: PhD (2012–2017, University of Brighton), Event Management studies at Leeds Beckett University. Professional experience includes managing festivals at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and roles at Harrogate International Festival and Wiltshire Festival.

Research focuses on sociological and cultural analysis of events, particularly music festivals, fan communities, digital technologies in events, and the politics of spectacle. Current supervisory work includes studies on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and resistance to mega-events like the Olympics.

External roles include External Examiner positions at Wrexham Glyndwr University (2018–2022) and University of West London (2018–2022). Teaching spans undergraduate/postgraduate modules like 'Theorising the International Event Industry' and 'Event Experience Design'.