Yoav Dubinsky

Yoav Dubinsky is an academic and researcher specializing in sports diplomacy, nation branding, and public diplomacy. He holds a PhD from the University of Tennessee and dual MA degrees from Tel-Aviv University and the University of Peloponnese. As Operational Director of the Olympic Studies Hub and Senior Lecturer in Sports Business at the University of Oregon’s Lundquist College of Business, he focuses on how sports enhance national and city reputations. His work spans Olympic Games analysis, country image management, and sport-tech diplomacy.

Education History:

• PhD in Sport Management, University of Tennessee, 2018
• MA in International and European Studies, University of Peloponnese, Greece, 2011
• MA in Communications, Tel-Aviv University, Israel, 2008
• BA in Communications, Tel-Aviv University, Israel, 2006

Research Interests: Dubinsky explores the intersection of sports and international relations, including how countries use sports events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup to shape global perceptions. He has analyzed Israel’s strategic use of sports for diplomacy, the role of technology in modern diplomacy (sport-tech), and the cultural impacts of major sports events. His work bridges academic theory with practical case studies from global events.

Key Contributions: Authored the book Nation Branding and Sports Diplomacy: Country Image Games in Times of Change (2023). His articles appear in journals like Place Branding and Public Diplomacy and Journal of Global Sport Management. He frequently consults with Olympic organizations and advises on sports diplomacy strategies.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Olympic Studies Hub, the only U.S. member of the global Olympic Studies and Research Centres network, fostering academic collaboration and research on Olympic-related topics.