Paul Widdop

Dr Paul Widdop is a Professor in Sport Business at Manchester Metropolitan University's Business School. He holds a PhD from the University of Manchester and is a core member of Edinburgh University's Academy of Sport. His research focuses on the economic networks and geopolitical dimensions of sport, employing social network analysis to explore relational dynamics in consumption and production. Widdop has authored 11 books including 'The Business of the FIFA World Cup' and 'Handbook of Football Business and Management', alongside over 40 peer-reviewed articles.

Education: PhD in Social Change & Statistics (University of Manchester), MSc in Social Research Methods & Statistics (University of Manchester).

Research Interests: Geopolitical economy of sport, social network analysis methodologies, sport policy, fan culture, and global sport networks. He examines intersections between economics, politics, and sociology in sport contexts.

Professional Affiliations: Reviews Editor for the Journal of Consumer Culture, Mitchell Centre member (University of Manchester), co-founder/Chair of the Football Collective research community. He actively engages in policy briefs addressing sport's societal impact, including responses to the pandemic's effects on grassroots football.

Awards: None explicitly listed, though his editorial roles and research contributions highlight professional recognition.

Advising/Grants: No specific grants listed, but his prolific publications and policy engagement indicate active research collaboration. Advises through academic mentorship in sport business and management.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Football Collective, a vibrant academic network studying football's socio-economic impacts. Collaborates with institutions like the Mitchell Centre for Social Network Analysis.