معرفی
Sofie Smismans is a Research Fellow and lecturer at the Department of Movement and Sport Sciences (MOSS) within the Faculty of Physical Education at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). She is an active member of the SPLISS (Sports Policy factors Leading to International Sporting Success) research group, contributing to both research and teaching activities in sport sciences with a focus on elite sport success factors and societal impact.
Her educational background includes:
- Master in Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2016-2017, Cum Laude)
- Master in Sports Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (2011-2016, Magna Cum Laude)
Sofie's research spans the intersection of sport management, policy, and sociology with particular emphasis on elite sport systems. Her work examines high performance management frameworks, athlete career transitions, and the societal implications of sport participation. She investigates how elite sport success operates across micro, meso, and macro levels while exploring gender dynamics, economic aspects, and the inspirational effects of athletes as role models. Her methodological approach combines qualitative and quantitative techniques to address complex sport policy questions.
Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent growth from 2016 through 2024, with increasing output in recent years. Her research focuses primarily on athlete transitions, societal impact of sport, and elite performance systems, with strong connections to European sport policy development. The 2024 publications particularly emphasize practical applications of research findings for sport organizations and policymakers.
Her recognition includes:
- Gaston Beunenprijs (December 11, 2020)
Sofie coordinates the 'Event and project management in sport' course, assists in 'High Performance Management,' and supervises master's theses related to SPLISS. She supports students during Sport Management internships at both bachelor's and master's levels. Her research has been supported through significant international projects including B-WISER (2017-2018), Mind the Gap (2018-2020), Ecology of Dual Careers (2018-2019), Athletes for Society (2020-2022), and ongoing projects through 2026, funded by the European Commission and International Olympic Committee.
Within the SPLISS research group, Sofie contributes to developing frameworks for understanding international sporting success while translating research findings into practical policy recommendations. Her work bridges academic research with real-world applications in sport management and policy development, particularly through her involvement in European Commission projects that directly influence sport governance across multiple nations.
