Find Academic Supervisors

• Social Work
• Faith-Based Social Services
• Nonprofit Studies
• +4 more

Ram Cnaan is a Professor of Social Work and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with The Weitzman School of Design. He chairs the Doctoral Program in Social Welfare and directs the Program for Religion and Social Policy Research. His work focuses on faith-based social services, congregational welfare provision, and nonprofit management. Cnaan has authored influential books like The Invisible Caring Hand and serves on seven academic journal editorial boards. His research explores volunteerism dynamics, including pandemic impacts on donor retention, cross-national civic participation, and episodic volunteering at religious events. He investigates social entrepreneurship in public sectors and evaluates faith-based organizations' roles in reentry programs for ex-prisoners. Cnaan's recent studies address CSR innovations, donor-advised funds strategies, and prosocial behavior in diverse cultural contexts. Notable contributions include pioneering national studies on congregational social service provision and analyzing Israeli-Palestinian Muslim collaboration in aid work. His work bridges academic research with practical policy solutions for urban quality-of-life challenges.

• Media Studies
• Gender Politics
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
• +7 more

Carolina Matos is a Professor at City, University of London's School of Communication & Creativity, specializing in media studies, gender politics, and communications research with a particular focus on Brazil and Latin America. Her scholarly work bridges academic inquiry with practical advocacy, especially in the areas of sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), feminist media studies, and democratic processes in the Global South. Dr. Matos's research interests span several interconnected domains: Gender politics and feminist media studies, with particular attention to Brazilian and Latin American contexts Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) communications and advocacy across global contexts Media democratization and public service broadcasting in Brazil and Latin America Digital activism and online networks for social change and gender equality Health communication in the age of misinformation, particularly regarding women's health in politically polarized environments Journalism's role in democratic processes and political transitions Her recent publications (2021-2025) demonstrate a clear trajectory toward examining how marginalized communities, particularly women in the Global South, navigate complex media landscapes around reproductive health. Her methodology frequently employs focus group research designed to empower participants while gathering insights on media consumption and interpretation. She has conducted significant research in partnership with NGOs like Reprolatina in Brazil and Open Arms in Florida, examining how disadvantaged communities process health communications in contexts of political polarization and misinformation. Dr. Matos has made substantial theoretical contributions through both foundational and recent works: Her book "Globalization, gender politics and the media" (2016) examines changing media representations in relation to feminist movements globally Her seminal work "Journalism and Political Democracy in Brazil" (2009) analyzes media's critical role in Brazil's democratization process following the military dictatorship She has conducted extensive comparative research on how NGOs communicate about SRHR across the Global North and South Her research on "New Brazilian feminism and online networks" (2017) documents the emergence of digital feminist activism in Brazil Her methodological approach consistently combines rigorous academic frameworks with practical applications, often utilizing mixed methods including content analysis, discourse analysis, and participatory research techniques designed to center marginalized voices while advancing scholarly understanding of media, gender, and power dynamics.

Shushu ChenView profile

Associate Professor

• Sport Policy Analysis and Evaluation
• Major Sporting Event Legacy Studies
• Impact Evaluation of Sports Mega-Events
• +7 more

Dr. Shushu Chen is an Associate Professor in Sport Policy and Management at the University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, and also serves as a Visiting Professor at the Capital University of Physical Education & Sports in China, demonstrating her strong international academic presence. Education: PhD in Sport Policy and Management, Loughborough University (Centre for Olympic Studies & Research) MSc in Sport Management, Loughborough University BSc in Bioengineering Her research expertise lies in sport policy analysis and evaluation, particularly the legacy and societal impact of major sporting events such as the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. She investigates how these events influence social inclusion, urban development, and public policy, with a strong focus on both the UK and Chinese contexts. Her methodological strengths include realist evaluation and meta-evaluation, applied to complex policy environments. Dr. Chen’s recent work centers on high-impact projects related to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, analyzing their legacies for disadvantaged communities and policy development. Her publications span top journals like the Journal of Sport Management and Sport Management Review , covering themes such as event leveraging, volunteering, policy development in China, and Olympic education. Her research consistently bridges academic rigor with practical policy relevance. Scientific Awards: British Academy Innovation Fellow Dr. Chen actively contributes to the academic community as an editorial board member for journals including Event Management , International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics , and Sport in Society . She supervises PhD students on topics such as women in sport in China, social integration through sport, and mental health. She has secured significant research grants from the British Academy, ESRC, World Anti-Doping Agency, and China National Social Science Foundation. Her work has been featured in major media outlets including the BBC, Financial Times, and The Guardian, highlighting her public engagement and policy influence. She is currently an Academic Advisor to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and a Discipline Expert for Sport Management Digest. Her prior role as a member of the United Nations Expert Group on Inclusive Social Development further underscores her global impact in shaping inclusive sport policy.

• African Studies
• Linguistics
• Historical Anthropology
• +8 more

Katrin Bromber is a German Researcher at the Centre for Modern Oriental Studies in Berlin, where she has led the research group "Progress and its Discontents: Ideas, Practices, Materiality" since 2014. Her career spans senior research roles at ZMO and academic teaching positions at the University of Vienna. Nationality: German. Language skills: Native German, fluent English/Swahili, moderate Amharic, good reading knowledge in French/Russian, basic Tigrinya. Habilitation (2009–): African Studies, University of Vienna PhD (1993): African Linguistics, University of Leipzig MA (1988): Swahili Studies, University of Leipzig Katrin Bromber's research interrogates intersections of body politics , sports history , Swahili linguistics , and Ethiopian modernity . Her work traces how physical culture, media representation, and colonial/imperial narratives shape national identities across Africa and Asia. Current focus: "Progress" as contested concept in Ethiopian and Gulf urbanism. Key article trends reflect her translocal methodology: 2017 studies on Ethiopian stadiums and fitness culture ; 2014-2013 publications analyzing East African military press , sports branding in the Gulf , and Swahili poetry ; 2007-2000 works on colonial linguistic politics , Indian Ocean slavery , and German colonial Swahili promotion . Recurring sub-fields: body as political text, translocal modernity, media historiography. Scientific Awards: Research Grant of the Berlin City Council (1999-2000): Gendered Slavery study Service to the Scientific Community: Chairwoman, Academic Association for Horn of Africa Studies (2012–) Editorial Advisory Board - Stichproben. Vienna Journal of African Studies (2015–) Editorial Advisory Board - Studies of Department of African Languages and Cultures (2015–) Teaching Experience: Textlinguistics, Mediacommunication, African Linguistics, Swahili (elementary/advanced), Swahili Literature, Swahili in Arabic Script at Leipzig, Humboldt-Berlin, Free Berlin, and Vienna universities Anthropology of the Body at Mekelle University Summer School Field Research: Tanzania (1993-2003): Swahili Poetry, Intellectual History Kenya (2005): Indian Ocean WW2 UAE/Bahrain (2009): Sports and Body Cultures Ethiopia (2009-2015): Sports, Body Politics

Michael CottinghamView profile

Associate Professor

• Disability Sport
• Sport Consumer Behavior
• Perceptions of Athletes with Disabilities
• +3 more

Michael Cottingham is an Associate Professor of Sport Administration in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. He serves as the Director of Adaptive Athletics at UH, leading a comprehensive disability sport program and research lab that has produced over 50 publications and secured more than $1.3 million in external funding. Dr. Cottingham teaches senior-level undergraduate classes and is involved in the Sport Administration graduate program. B.A. in Political Science, Minor in Sociology at The University of Arizona, 2002 M.S. in Recreation Administration at The University of Southern Mississippi, 2008 Ph.D. in Human Performance concentration Sport Management at The University of Southern Mississippi, 2012 Dr. Cottingham's research focuses on disability sport, particularly examining perceptions of athletes with disabilities, spectatorship and sponsorship in disability sport, and broader topics in sport consumer behavior. His work explores promotional strategies in sport and how these apply specifically to disability contexts. He has conducted extensive research on wheelchair rugby, power soccer, and wheelchair tennis, examining consumer motivations, marketing approaches, and the experiences of athletes and spectators in these sports. Analysis of Dr. Cottingham's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on disability sport consumer behavior across multiple disciplines including sports marketing, psychology, rehabilitation science, and sociology. His research spans both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, with particular attention to how disability sport programming impacts Latinx populations with mobility impairments. The publications demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration with researchers in community health, rehabilitation, and sport management fields. As Director of Adaptive Athletics at UH, Dr. Cottingham oversees a program that hosts large-scale disability sport events including the annual Cougar Open wheelchair tennis tournament. The program partners with The Institute for Research and Rehabilitation and runs the Community Healthcare Worker Model Study, which examines the impact of disability sport programming on Latinx with mobility impairments. Through Adaptive Athletics, Dr. Cottingham has developed programs for wheelchair rugby and adaptive tennis, with plans to expand to power soccer and wheelchair basketball. The program has received funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) and has established partnerships with organizations including Houston Parks and Recreation, United States Quad Rugby Association, United States Tennis Association, Halliburton Charitable Foundation, and One Step Closer Foundation.

Davies BandaView profile

Lecturer

• Sport-for-Development
• Youth Sport and Social Inclusion
• Corporate Social Responsibility through Sport
• +4 more

Dr. Davies Banda is a Lecturer in Sport Policy and Deputy Director of the Academy of Sport at the Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh. He holds a PhD in Sport Policy and Political Science Analysis from Loughborough University, alongside certifications in academic practice and teaching methodologies. His research focuses on sport-for-development interventions, youth social inclusion, and legacy strategies from sport mega-events. Notable projects include his role as Academic Advisor to FIFA's Generation Amazing Foundation during the 2022 World Cup and leadership in curriculum development partnerships with Zambian universities. He has secured significant grants, including £298,000 from Comic Relief for child miner education projects in Burkina Faso and £60,000 via the British Council's DelPHE initiative. Banda supervises PhD students exploring topics such as SDP in South Africa, Paralympic governance, and sport policy in Indonesia. His teaching spans sport management, policy analysis, and advanced research methods at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Ramón SpaaijView profile

Professor

• Sociology of Sport
• Social Cohesion
• Diversity and Social Inclusion
• +7 more

Ramón Spaaij is a Professor in the College of Sport, Health and Engineering at Victoria University and holds a Professorial Chair in Sociology of Sport at the University of Amsterdam. He leads the Sport in Society Research Program at IHES and was previously a Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University, where he served as Deputy Director of the La Trobe Refugee Research Centre. His educational background includes an MA from Leiden University and a PhD from the University of Amsterdam. Spaaij’s research centers on social cohesion, conflict, and social change through two primary lenses: the sociology of sport and the sociology of terrorism. He investigates how sport influences diversity, inclusion, and community belonging, particularly through initiatives like sport for development and youth engagement. Simultaneously, he conducts internationally recognized research on violent extremism, with a focus on lone wolf terrorism, radicalization pathways, and counterterrorism strategies. His recent publications reveal a strong interdisciplinary focus, bridging sociology, criminology, and sport studies. The articles demonstrate recurring themes in both sport-related social dynamics and terrorism studies, with consistent attention to identity, exclusion, and structural violence. He frequently collaborates with scholars across disciplines and countries, contributing to handbooks, journals, and policy-oriented research. Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (2015): Sport integrity analysis DST Group – VU Industry Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2015–2018): Online/offline radicalization Australian Research Council Linkage Project (2014–2017): Managing diversity in junior sport Youth & Identity Grant, Utrecht University (2013–2015): Youth violence in football National Institute of Justice, USA (2012–2015): Lone wolf terrorism prevention He has completed supervision of 5 Honours, 11 Masters, and 1 PhD student, and currently mentors 5 PhD, 4 Master’s, 1 Honours student, and 2 postdoctoral fellows. He is affiliated with several professional associations including the International Sociological Association and the Australian Sociological Association. Spaaij is also a frequent contributor to international media on topics related to sport and extremism.

Anke HagemannView profile

Professor

• Global Commodity Production
• Urban Studies
• Urban Planning
• +5 more

Prof. Anke Hagemann holds a guest professorship at TU Berlin's Habitat Unit since 2021, focusing on urban-rural transformations and global production networks. She earned a doctoral degree (summa cum laude) from HafenCity University Hamburg in 2023, exploring Istanbul's clothing industry networks. Her academic journey includes interim professorships at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and teaching roles at ETH Zurich, TU Stuttgart, and HafenCity University. Her research spans global commodity production, urban mega-events, and holiday architectures. Notable projects include the DFG-funded 'Transnational Production Spaces' (2016–2019) and BMBF-funded 'Urban Rural Assembly' in China. She has published widely on spatial constellations of global production, including works on Bulgarian post-socialist tourism and Ethiopia's garment industry. Awards include her thesis distinction and grants like the DFG scientific network on global production spaces. Her teaching spans urban design studios and seminars on topics like 'Feeding the City' and 'Global City Local Spaces.' She co-curated exhibitions like 'Shrinking Cities' and contributed to initiatives like the 'Urban Rural Assembly' to address sustainability challenges.

Alexander BudzierView profile

Research Fellow

• Project Management
• IT-enabled Change
• Risk Management
• +5 more

Alexander Budzier is a Research Fellow in the Department of Technology and Operations Management at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He specializes in managing projects across IT, infrastructure, energy, and mega-events, with a focus on risk mitigation and systems thinking. His roles include teaching on the MSc for Major Programme Management, MBA, and the Major Project Leadership Academy. Education: PhD from Saïd Business School (2014). Prior experience includes roles at T-Mobile International and McKinsey's Business Technology Office in Düsseldorf and Chicago, advising on IT and operations strategy. Research interests center on IT-enabled change, project setups, and risk analysis. Notable contributions include work on cost overruns in IT projects, the uniqueness trap in project management, and sustainable development via mega-events like the Olympics. Publications span journals like Harvard Business Review , iScience , and Event Management , with a focus on megaprojects, risk, and digital transformation. He has advised governments and corporations on infrastructure investments and project governance, emphasizing evidence-based decision-making.

Judith Grant LongView profile

Associate Professor

• Sports Economics
• Urban Planning
• Public-Private Partnerships
• +3 more

Dr. Judith Grant Long is an Associate Professor of Urban and Regional Planning and Sport Management at the University of Michigan with a joint appointment. She holds a PhD in Urban Planning from Harvard University, where she previously directed the Urban Planning Program. Her research focuses on strategic investments in sport venues and tourism infrastructure, examining public-private partnerships, mega-event legacies, and host city outcomes. Dr. Long's work spans Olympic Games infrastructure, NFL stadium development, and sport district planning. She is a certified city planner with over 20 years of academic and industry experience, including board roles at Juego de Pelota and Coliseum. Her research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and HUD. Dr. Long teaches courses on sport real estate development and Olympic infrastructure planning, mentoring students through collaborative projects. Education: PhD in Urban Planning (Harvard University, minor in Economics) MDes in Real Estate Development (Harvard Graduate School of Design) Undergraduate degrees in Economics and Urban Planning Research Interests: Dr. Long bridges sport management and urban planning to address challenges in venue financing, post-event infrastructure utilization, and urban development through sport-driven initiatives. She emphasizes cost-effectiveness and long-term success for host cities, leveraging data from over 120 major league venues and Olympic projects. Grants & Awards: Funded by NSF, HUD, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and BBC Radio. Student Collaboration: Leads teams of researchers investigating Olympic venues, sport districts, and former major league facilities. Current and former students include Sarah Perrigo (MURP '22), Stephanie Gerretson (PhD '20), and Robert Sroka (PhD '21).

Martin MüllerView profile

Associate Professor

• Urban Geography
• Political Geography
• Major Events (Olympics, World Cups)
• +3 more

Martin Müller is an Associate Professor at the University of Lausanne's Institute of Geography and Sustainability. He holds a PhD from Goethe-Universität Frankfurt and has held academic positions at institutions including the University of St. Gallen and the University of Zurich. His research focuses on urban sustainability transitions, particularly through the lens of major cultural and sporting events like the Olympics and World Cups, and explores geopolitical knowledge imbalances favoring the Global East. Müller leads the M3 research team (Materialities | Multiplicities | Metropolis) and has contributed to global debates on event sustainability via collaborations with organizations like ICOM. Education: PhD in Human Geography (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, 2008), Master's in Development Studies (University of Cambridge, 2005), Bachelor's in Economic Geography (Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, 2004). His work critically examines how mega-events reshape urban landscapes and economies, with recent publications analyzing cultural institution sustainability and the global 'mega-event syndrome'. Müller has been interviewed by major media outlets including The New York Times and BBC for his insights on event-driven urban development. Grants & Awards: SNSF Scholarship Professor (2017–2019), numerous grants supporting research on urban sustainability and global knowledge geographies.

Monica ChienView profile

Associate Professor

• Marketing
• Tourism
• Consumer Behaviour
• +9 more

Dr Monica Chien is an Associate Professor at the School of Business, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, The University of Queensland. With multidisciplinary expertise in marketing, psychology, and tourism, her research focuses on consumer behavior, tourist-host dynamics, and branding strategies. She has led international projects on sport scandals, tourism sustainability, and resident-tourist intergroup relations. Bachelor of Business (Administration), Queensland University of Technology Master of Business (Coursework), Queensland University of Technology Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Her research bridges experimental studies with practical applications in traveler behavior , social identity theory , and pro-environmental tourism practices . Recent projects explore sport scandals' impact on brands, international education-tourism nexus, and resident responses to tourism development. She supervises PhD candidates in topics like augmented reality marketing, cultural policy, and First Nations legacy planning. Key funding includes grants from the Japan Science and Technology Agency , ARC Linkage Projects , and The Academy of Korean Studies . Her work appears in top journals like Journal of Sustainable Tourism , Annals of Tourism Research , and European Sport Management Quarterly , with themes spanning social identity, sustainable practices, and behavioral interventions.

Kirstin HallmannView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Sport Management
• Sustainability
• Athlete Development
• +4 more

Kirstin Hallmann is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sport Economics and Sport Management at the German Sport University Cologne. Her research focuses on sport management, sustainability, athlete development, and event management. She holds a PhD and has contributed to over 211 publications since 2017, including studies on dual career facilitators for elite athletes, paralympic marketing communication, and climate-resilient tourism strategies. Her work explores intersections between sport and society, with notable projects such as 'Social functions and social responsibility of formal sports organizations' and 'Mega-sporting events and their capability of meaning-making'. She serves on editorial boards for journals like Event Management and European Sport Management Quarterly . Education: PhD in Sport Management, German Sport University Cologne Key Research Areas: Dual career systems, sport sustainability, volunteer dynamics, and heritage event authenticity Dr. Hallmann has received awards including the 2024 Elite Best Reviewer for the Journal of Travel Research and the AIEST Best Contribution Award (2018, 2021). Her interdisciplinary approach bridges sport management theory with practical applications in tourism, policy, and athlete well-being.

Andrew SmithView profile

Associate Professor

• Urban Regeneration
• Urban Green Spaces
• Festivals and Events
• +3 more

Professor Andrew Smith is an interdisciplinary academic in Urban Experiences at the University of Westminster's School of Architecture and Cities. He leads the Sustainable Cities and Urban Environment Research Community (2021-2024) and previously served as PhD Coordinator (2018-2021). Educated at Cambridge (Geography) and Sheffield Hallam/Sheffield (PhD in 'Reimaging the City'), his career spans roles at Kent and Sheffield Hallam Universities. Research Interests: Events as urban revitalization tools Parks and green space dynamics Urban tourism and monumental projects Key Projects: Principal Investigator for the HERA-funded 'Festivals, Events and Inclusive Public Space in Europe' project. Co-edited open-access books: Festivals and the City (2022) and Destination London (2019). Published extensively in journals like Environment and Planning A and Urban Studies . Grants & Impact: HERA funding secured; contributed to government inquiries and media discussions on urban parks and events. Labs/Teams: Part of the Place and Experience research group and the Centre for Law, Society and Popular Culture.

Milena ParentView profile

Professor

• Sport Governance
• Strategic Management
• Organization Theory
• +5 more

Milena Parent is a Full Professor at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, specializing in sport governance and strategy. She holds a PhD from the University of Alberta and serves as Director of the IOC-funded MEMOS program, mentoring future sport leaders globally. Education: B.Sc. (Hon.) and M.A. from University of Ottawa; Ph.D. from University of Alberta Roles: Director of MEMOS (English), Project & Event Management Module Lead, Canadian Sport Policy Work Group Member Research Interests: Her work explores organization theory, strategic management, and governance in non-profits and major events like the Olympics. She examines board dynamics, digital transformation, and social value assessment for residents. Grants: Funded by SSHRC, Canadian Heritage, Canadian Armed Forces, and Sport Information Resource Centre for projects on sport governance, safe sport practices, and event sustainability. Publications: Co-author of Managing Major Sports Events (Routledge, 2021) and Strategic Management in Sport (Routledge, 2019). Her 2024 articles focus on board decision-making, digital change, and Olympic governance. Professional Contributions: Serves on the board of Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute and contributes to sport policy monitoring. Certified B2B copywriter for technical content.