معرفی
Professor Paul Downward holds the position of Professor of Economics at Loughborough University, where he is affiliated with the Sir John Beckwith Centre for Sport. Previously, he worked at Aston Business School and Staffordshire University. He earned his BA (Hons) in Economics from Staffordshire University (1988), MA from the University of Manchester (1990), and PhD from the University of Leeds (1996). His research interests span sport management, public health, and social policy, with a focus on the interplay between sport participation and societal outcomes like health, well-being, and social capital. In 2023, he was honored with the Chelladurai Award for lifetime achievement in sport management.
His academic work critically examines topics such as gender disparities in sport participation, the impact of government policies on physical activity, and the ethical challenges in sport governance. Notable areas of inquiry include the role of leisure activities in aging populations, the economic valuation of subjective well-being, and the socio-cultural effects of sport corruption. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economics, sociology, and public policy, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications through policy recommendations and evidence-based analysis.
Recent research highlights include analyzing regional disparities in sport participation's levelling-up initiatives, exploring the well-being benefits of soccer for both genders, and investigating the relationship between referee abuse and mental health in sport. Professor Downward’s publications also address global issues such as China’s community recreation policies and the environmental trade-offs of leisure travel.
- Education: BA (Hons) Economics (Staffordshire, 1988), MA Economics (Manchester, 1990), PhD Economics (Leeds, 1996)
- Key Research Groups: Sport, Business & Society; Lifestyle for Health & Wellbeing; Sport Performance
- Labs/Teams: Sir John Beckwith Centre for Sport
