معرفی
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.
