Jürgen Mittag

Jürgen Mittag is a University Professor of Sport and Politics and Director of the Institute for European Sports Development and Leisure Research at the German Sport University Cologne. He also holds leadership roles in external institutions, including as Honorary Board Member and former Managing Director of the Ruhr Area History Foundation. His academic affiliations span multiple institutions, including Ruhr University Bochum, Sciences Po (Paris), and Bosphorus University (Istanbul), where he has held visiting and teaching positions.

• PhD in Philosophy, University of Cologne (2000)
• Habilitation-equivalent research recognition (2010)
• Postgraduate scholarship from University of Cambridge (awarded, not taken up)
• Carl Duisberg scholarships (annually, 1992–1997)

Prof. Mittag's research focuses on sports policy, European integration, social movements, political parties, trade unions, and leisure studies. His work bridges historical, political, and sociological perspectives, with emphasis on comparative analysis of sports systems, governance, and the role of sport in societal integration. He investigates the political dimensions of major sporting events, the evolution of European sports policy, and grassroots football cultures.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research at the intersection of sport, politics, and European integration. His work frequently examines the role of sport in refugee integration, nation branding, and transnational governance. He has contributed significantly to understanding co-determination in sports, labor relations, and the legacy of cultural mega-events such as RUHR.2010.

His scientific awards include:

• Jean Monnet Professor (European Commission, 2011)
• Teaching Award of the DSHS (2013)
• Certificate for outstanding teaching (DSHS, 2018)
• Thyssen Foundation travel scholarship (2008)

Prof. Mittag has supervised numerous research projects and has been a reviewer for major funding bodies including the DFG, FWF, NCN, and the European Commission. He has served as a guest professor at institutions in Turkey, Italy, China, and Kazakhstan. He is actively involved in advising through editorial roles (e.g., Historical Social Research), project leadership (ERASMUS+ initiatives), and expert functions in UEFA, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and the European Parliament.

He leads or contributes to several research centers and teams, including the Research Center for Sports Policy China-Europe, the ERASMUS+ National Sports Governance Observer (NSGO), and the ERASMUS+ Player Agents project. He is also a member of the UEFA Scientific Advisory Board and the Scientific Directorate of the Institute for European Politics, Berlin.