Shushu Chen

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.