Alan Bairner is a Professor of Sport and Social Theory at Loughborough University, where he has been since 2013. Previously, he held the same title at the University of Ulster for 25 years. His expertise spans sport nationalism, globalization, and social theory. He leads modules including PSB015 and PSC023, focusing on ideologies, celebrity, and place in sport. Education: MA (Hons) in Politics from the University of Edinburgh, PGCE in History/Modern Studies from Moray House College, and a PhD from the University of Hull. Academic Roles: Past President of Loughborough UCU branch; co-author of seminal works like Sport, Sectarianism and Society in a Divided Ireland and editor of Routledge Handbook of Sport and Politics . His research explores sport in divided societies, nationalism, and cultural identity. Notable studies include Chinese football fandom, global wushu strategies, and the role of sport in postcolonial contexts. He is affiliated with the Edinburgh Critical Studies of Sport group and has contributed to policy debates on sport governance and anti-doping compliance. Bairner’s work critically examines sport’s intersections with politics, identity, and globalization, emphasizing its role in shaping and reflecting societal structures.
Professor Panikos Panayi is Professor of European History at De Montfort University's School of Humanities, where he has worked since 1990 and held a personal Chair since 1999. His extensive academic career has focused on migration history, ethnic relations, and European history, making significant contributions to our understanding of how immigrants have shaped societies, particularly in Britain and London. Professor Panayi's research interests encompass the history of immigration and interethnic relations, the history of food, the First World War, German history, the history of London, and the history of the Cypriot people. His work consistently examines how migration has been fundamental to the economic, social, political, and cultural development of societies, with a particular focus on Britain and London as case studies. He approaches his research through detailed historical analysis combined with contemporary relevance, often highlighting how historical patterns of migration and integration inform current debates. His publications reveal a consistent focus on migration history, particularly examining how immigrants have shaped British society. A central theme across his work is the argument that London's development as a global city has been inextricably linked to immigration patterns spanning two millennia. His research demonstrates how migrants have contributed to London's economy, culture, and social fabric, from Roman invaders to contemporary European Union citizens, acting as cheap labor, contributing to the financial sector, establishing curry houses, and influencing football clubs. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Research funding from prestigious organizations including the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Academy, Gerda Henkel Foundation, Leventis Foundation, and Leverhulme Trust Professor Panayi actively supervises PhD students, currently guiding research on topics including 'Sedition and State Overwatch: Radicalism, Racial Politics and Britain's Black Communities' and 'The Burger in Britain: A Symbol of Americana.' His externally funded research projects have examined subjects such as 'The Cypriot Peasant,' 'Real Londoners: Immigration and the Making of London,' and 'Knockaloe in Local, National and Global Context.' He serves as reviews editor of 'Immigrants and Minorities' and is a member of the international editorial board of the 'Journal of Imperial and Commonwealth History.'
Dr. Stuart Murray is an Associate Professor at Bond University's Faculty of Society & Design, specializing in diplomacy and international relations. His research focuses on traditional and modern diplomacies, including sports diplomacy, translational research, and innovations in diplomatic theory. Education: PhD (2006), Cours D'etet (University of Geneva, 2001), MA International Relations (2000), BA Hons (Edinburgh Napier University, 1996). External roles include Adjunct Research Fellow at Griffith University and Fellow of the Academy of Sport at the University of Edinburgh. Key projects include 'eSports Diplomacy' and 'Promoting a Strategic Approach to EU Sports Diplomacy.' His work explores sports as a tool for soft power, geopolitical strategy, and cultural exchange. Recent articles address global diplomatic dynamics in sports, pandemic responses, and future diplomatic strategies. Murray has contributed to media discussions on sport diplomacy, including expert commentaries on the Australian perspective and the role of sports in political movements.
Professor Adrian Bell is Chair in the History of Finance at the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School, University of Reading, where he also serves as Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (Prosperity and Resilience). He has been a faculty member since 1994 and leads a major AHRC-funded project, 'The People of 1381', examining the Peasants' Revolt through interdisciplinary economic and social lenses. His research integrates medieval financial systems with modern economic theory. His research interests span History of Finance , Medieval Economic History , Football Finance , Hundred Years War , and Higher Education Policy . He employs quantitative and archival methods to explore topics such as medieval real estate bubbles, credit systems, and pandemic economics. His work often bridges historical analysis with contemporary financial issues, such as the economic impact of football clubs on universities or lessons from the Black Death for modern crises. The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in medieval financial systems , behavioral and market finance , and socioeconomic impacts of sports and pandemics . His articles frequently analyze long-term economic patterns, price formation, and institutional finance, combining history with econometrics. Key themes include market efficiency, credit innovation, and the social consequences of financial decisions. Professor Bell has received continuous research funding from prestigious bodies including the AHRC , ESRC , and Leverhulme Trust . Notable projects include: The People of 1381 (AHRC) The first real estate bubble in medieval England (Leverhulme Trust) The Soldier in Later Medieval England (AHRC) Advance contracts for wool supply (ESRC) Medieval foreign exchange and credit finance (ESRC) He has advised on numerous collaborative research initiatives and contributes actively to public discourse through media appearances, podcasts (e.g., The Unexpected World of Business), and blogs. He is a frequent expert commentator on financial history and football economics. His work is supported by research teams and digital platforms such as 1381.online and the medievalsoldier.org database. He also contributes to academic leadership as former Head of the ICMA Centre and Associate Dean (International).
Ntzoufras Ioannis is a Professor in the Department of Statistics at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), School of Information Sciences and Technology, where he has served continuously since 2004 (promoted to Professor in 2015). Previously, he held teaching positions at the University of the Aegean (2000-2004) and completed military service (1999-2000). Education B.Sc. in Statistics and Insurance Science (1994) M.Sc. in Statistics with Application in Medicine, University of Southampton (1995, with distinction) Ph.D. in Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business (1999) Research Focus His work centers on Bayesian and computational statistics , specializing in categorical data analysis, statistical modeling, and variable selection methodology. He develops sophisticated models for applications in medical research (clinical trials, risk estimation), psychometrics (latent variable models), and sports analytics (football/basketball modeling), with emphasis on computational efficiency and real-world implementation. Publication Trends Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Advanced Bayesian variable selection methods for high-dimensional data, (2) Sports analytics applications in football (goal modeling, competitive balance) and basketball (in-play performance), and (3) Development of specialized R packages (ssifs, PEPBVS) for statistical computation. His work consistently bridges theoretical innovation with practical domain applications. Scientific Awards Lefkopouleion Prize for Greece's best statistics thesis (1999-2000) PROSE Award Honorable Mention for 'Bayesian Modeling Using WinBUGS' (2010) Academic Leadership He has supervised graduate students across AUEB's Statistics, Business Analytics, and Data Science programs, and taught postgraduate courses at the University of Athens (Biostatistics), University of the Aegean (Business Administration), and Italian institutions (University of Pavia, Universita Cattolica, University of Bicocca-Milan). As General Secretary of the Greek Statistical Institute (2006-2007), he advanced national statistical initiatives. Research Community He founded and maintains grstats (http://grstats.forumotion.net/), Greece's primary online statistics community, facilitating collaboration among 1,200+ statisticians and data scientists through forums, workshops, and resource sharing.
Jadranka Kolenović-Đapo is a Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, where she serves as Vice Dean for Teaching, Education, and Student Affairs. Her research spans personality psychology, social interactions, and cognitive reasoning, with a focus on adolescents and athletes. She has contributed extensively to understanding self-esteem development, humor styles, and psychosocial adjustment in post-conflict societies. Current position: Vice Dean for Teaching, Education, and Student Affairs Institution: Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo Main research areas: Personality traits, cognitive reasoning, self-efficacy, humor studies Her recent publications highlight the interplay between personality dimensions (e.g., the Dark Triad) and behavioral outcomes, including workplace stress and social interactions. She has validated multiple psychological scales for assessing competencies in sports and self-esteem metrics in youth populations. Key trends in her work include analyzing linguistic violence, imagined contact theory, and psychosocial resilience in clinical and educational contexts. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges psychology, linguistics, and sports science.
Dr. Caitlin Nunn serves as Reader in Migration and Youth Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she leads research at the intersection of refugee studies and youth studies with emphasis on refugee-background young people's lived experiences. Her work is anchored in the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies (MCYS) and involves significant collaboration with institutions including Manchester Museum and UKRI-funded initiatives. Her educational background demonstrates interdisciplinary training: PhD in Australian Studies (2013), University of Melbourne MA Preliminary (Honours equivalent) in Development Studies (2005), La Trobe University Graduate Diploma in Development Studies (2004), La Trobe University Bachelor of Dramatic Arts in Theatre Production (2000), Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne Professional qualifications include Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, Certificate II in Applied Language (Vietnamese), and CELTA certification. Nunn's research program critically examines refugee youth resettlement through innovative participatory and arts-based methodologies. Key thematic strands include: Rural and regional refugee resettlement dynamics Environmental dimensions of migration and belonging Transnational generational relations among refugee families Decolonizing research approaches with displaced communities Creative interventions for refugee wellbeing Her work consistently centers youth agency while challenging conventional integration paradigms. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals evolving methodological sophistication with increasing emphasis on environmental migration, cross-disciplinary collaboration (particularly with ecological sciences), and co-produced knowledge generation. The research demonstrates consistent focus on rural resettlement contexts and creative methodological innovations while expanding into digital engagement (e.g., AI/data co-production projects). Current research leadership includes: NERC Future of UK Treescapes Grant (£2m, 2021-2024): 'Voices of the future' exploring children's relationships with treescapes UKRI Citizen Science Collaboration (£343k, 2021-2023): 'Ancient History, Contemporary Belonging' with refugee-background youth EPSRC Public Engagement Scheme (£197k, 2022-2025): 'PEAs in Pods' for AI/data research co-production She actively supervises doctoral research including Nobila Bano's work on intergenerational knowledge transfer and Ahmad Al Shahma's research on equitable ESOL policies. Nunn maintains significant professional engagement as Member of the Editorial Board for Qualitative Research , Member of the AHRC Peer Review College, and Member of the UKRI Interdisciplinary Assessment College, demonstrating her disciplinary leadership beyond direct research outputs.
Prof. Dr. Antje Wilton is a W2 Professor for English Linguistics with a Focus on Sociolinguistics at the Institute of English Philology (WE6) within the Department of Philosophy and Humanities at Freie Universität Berlin. She is a leading scholar in sociolinguistics, English as a Lingua Franca (ELF), and discourse analysis, with a focus on media, sports, and forensic linguistics. Education: Magistra Artium in English, German, and Sociology (1990-1997) PhD: English and Applied Linguistics, University of Erfurt (2006) Her research spans sociolinguistics , multimodal interaction , discourse analysis , and cross-cultural communication . Recent work examines language use in sports interviews, media discourse, and forensic settings. She has co-edited volumes on organizational language and European linguistic dynamics. Key article trends include analyzing interactional strategies in sports interviews, ELF usage in media, and discourse patterns in public security debates. She teaches courses on sociolinguistics, language and space, and global English.
Professor Craig Sale holds the position of Professor of Human Physiology and Nutrition at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and previously led research initiatives at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). He specializes in investigating exercise and nutrition interventions, particularly focusing on bone and muscle adaptations. His roles include Co-Lead of NTU’s Health & Wellbeing Strategic Research Theme, Director of the SHAPE Research Centre, and REF Unit of Assessment Coordinator for UoA C24. His research spans bone metabolism, muscle performance, genetics, sports nutrition, biomechanics, and environmental physiology, with a commitment to impactful real-world applications. His research has addressed topics such as beta-alanine supplementation for exercise performance, diet/exercise interventions for bone health in athletes, and the biological actions of carnosine. He has supervised 17 completed PhD students and currently guides 8 more. His awards include Fellowship in the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and a Section Editor role at the European Journal of Sports Sciences. Recent work emphasizes bone biomarker responses to exercise, myocardial carnosine roles, and pregnancy’s legacy on athletic performance.
Bård Erlend Solstad is an Associate Professor at the Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder. His research focuses on youth sports psychology, athlete development, and coach education, with a particular emphasis on the impact of training loads, motivation, and injury prevention in young athletes. He holds a postdoctoral fellowship from the Norwegian Research Centre for Children and Youth Sports (2017–2020) and was a Research Fellow at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (2012–2017). Key affiliations: ROPE (Research in Outdoor and Physical Education), SPADE (Sports Performance and Athlete Development Environments). Research interests include the psychological aspects of sport injury, perfectionism in elite performers, and the motivational climate in youth sports. His work integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to address issues like athlete well-being, coaching practices, and retention in organized sports. Recent studies have explored factors influencing dropout rates in youth soccer and the efficacy of interventions like the FUEL program for female endurance athletes. Solstad has advised on coach education initiatives, emphasizing empowering coaching behaviors and the psychological needs of athletes. He collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance athlete development programs and policy recommendations.
Trine Anker is a Professor of Religious Studies with Subject Didactics at MF University of Applied Sciences' Faculty of Religious Studies and Society. She holds a PhD from the Norwegian School of Theology (2011), specializing in youth perspectives on respect in multicultural schools. Her academic career includes roles as Associate Professor at Østfold University College and MF University, with extensive experience in teacher education and professional development. Research interests focus on religious didactics, aesthetic teaching methods, ethics in education, and controversial topics like terrorism and memory culture. Notable contributions include analyzing the sacralization of July 22nd events in schools and exploring folk religions in Argentine football culture. She received the 2024 Distinguished Lecturer award for pedagogical innovation. Teaching responsibilities include courses on research methodology (MET-EMP910), pedagogy (PPU1010/1015), and didactic practices. She leads projects like EtiPP (Ethics in Professional Practice) and ReDi (Religion and Dialogue in Modern Societies), investigating ethical frameworks for educators and interfaith dialogue strategies. Publications span 30+ articles in journals like Journal of Moral Education and Prismet , addressing topics from classroom ethics to youth religious expression. Her 2020 textbook Analyse i praksis guides master's students in practical research methods.
Dr Martin Toms is Associate Professor of Global Sport Education & Coaching and Head of Global Engagement at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham. He is an expert in youth sport, talent identification and development, and sport education from international and socio-cultural perspectives, with extensive collaborations in India and with the PGA of GB&I. Education: BA (Hons) Sport Science and English Literature, University of Surrey, 1993 MPhil Youth Sport & Education, University of Brighton, 1997 Cert Ed (Post-Secondary Education), University of Plymouth, 2000 PhD Youth Sport Talent & Developmental Socialisation, Loughborough University, 2005 Dr Toms' research focuses on youth sport in international contexts—especially India—talent development, socio-cultural dimensions, grassroots sport, and sport education programs. His work emphasizes cultural and cross-cultural understanding in sport systems. He has edited key texts such as the Routledge Handbook of Golf Science and Sports Science in India: Practice and Perspective , and his recent publications reflect a strong trend in athlete development pathways, talent systems, and critical analyses of sport policy and practice globally. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Dr Toms actively supervises doctoral and postgraduate students on topics including talent identification in Indian sport, elite cricket development, and professional journeys in golf. He has secured research funding and consultancy projects in China and Europe and is an adjunct Professor at the University of Regina, Canada. He plays a key role in transnational education and has served as Emeritus Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Golf Science and co-editor of the European Journal for Sport & Society . He is also a board member of the World Scientific Congress of Golf. Labs and Research Teams: While not tied to a specific lab, Dr Toms leads global engagement initiatives and collaborates with international institutions and research networks focused on sport development, talent systems, and educational reform in sport.
Michael Knaus is a Junior Professor (Assistant Professor) in the Department of Economics within the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Tübingen, Germany. His office is located at Mohlstraße 36, 4th floor, room 415. He teaches graduate-level courses on causal inference and causal machine learning. Dr. Knaus specializes in the intersection of causal inference and machine learning, with particular expertise in Double Machine Learning methods. His research focuses on developing advanced statistical techniques to estimate treatment effects across various economic contexts including labor markets, finance, education, and health economics. His work bridges theoretical econometrics with practical applications, emphasizing methodological rigor and real-world relevance. His recent publications demonstrate a clear progression toward increasingly sophisticated methods for handling heterogeneous treatment effects and complex causal structures. His research shows strong integration of machine learning algorithms with causal inference frameworks to address challenging policy questions across multiple domains. Double Machine Learning based Program Evaluation under Unconfoundedness (The Econometrics Journal, 2022) Heterogeneous Employment Effects of Job Search Programmes: A Machine Learning Approach (Journal of Human Resources, 2022) How Does Post-Earnings Announcement Sentiment Affect Firms' Dynamics? (Journal of Financial Econometrics, 2024) Effect or Treatment Heterogeneity? Policy Evaluation with Aggregated and Disaggregated Treatments (2021) Dr. Knaus has made significant methodological contributions through his development of the causalDML R package, which implements Double Machine Learning methods for binary and multiple treatment effect estimation. His work has been published in top econometrics and economics journals and has gained recognition in the research community, with his GitHub repository accumulating 36 stars. He frequently collaborates with Michael Lechner, a leading researcher in causal inference and program evaluation. His teaching includes E464 Causal Inference and E463 Causal Machine Learning, both graduate courses that combine theoretical foundations with practical implementation using R. These courses prepare students for advanced research and data science roles requiring sophisticated causal reasoning skills, emphasizing hands-on application of methods to real-world problems.
Ilse Hartmann-Tews is a full Professor of Sociology and Sports Sociology at the German Sport University Cologne, where she heads the Institute for Sociology and Gender Research. She is affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and has held leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty, Chair of the Senate, and Deputy Chair of the University Council. She has been a central figure in advancing gender and diversity research in sport. Professor of Sociology and Sports Sociology (since 2014) Head of Institute for Sociology and Gender Research Former Professor for Gender Studies in Sport (1996–2014) Aigner-Rollet Visiting Professor, Karl-Franzens University Graz (2012) Her research focuses on gender, discrimination, LGBTQ+ inclusion, racism, and sexual violence in sport. She employs qualitative and mixed methods to examine structural inequalities and develop inclusive policies. Her work is deeply interdisciplinary, bridging sociology, gender studies, and sports science. Recent publications (2024) highlight trends in self-tracking for weight management, coming-out experiences among athletes, and organizational strategies for LGBTQ+ inclusion. These works reflect a strong emphasis on social justice, intersectionality, and empirical research in sports contexts. Landespreis "Sport und Wissenschaft" (2009) She has led major third-party funded projects such as PLUSS (LGBTIQ+ Policy and Leadership) and RaSpo (Racism in Elite Sport), often collaborating with researchers like Birgit Braumüller and Bettina Rulofs. Her academic service includes editorial roles and guest lectures on gender norms and discrimination in European sports. She is a key member of the Institute for Sociology and Gender Research, contributing to its profile as a leading center for critical sport sociology and diversity research in Europe.
Jessica Süßenbach is a Professor for Sports Pedagogy and Sports Science at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. She maintains an active research profile with 78 publications, 48 academic activities, 16 research projects, and multiple media appearances. Her work focuses on physical education, gender and diversity issues in sports, and innovative teaching approaches in primary school settings. Her research interests center on physical education in primary schools, with particular emphasis on inclusive sports practices, gender diversity, and the integration of digital media in sports teaching. She has conducted qualitative studies on movement, play, and sports in all-day primary schools, examining perspectives from both educational staff and children. Her work explores wheelchair basketball as an inclusive sport, digital video tagging in football instruction, and quality development frameworks for sports offerings in extended school settings. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on inclusive sports education, particularly examining how to make sports accessible to children with diverse needs. She has pioneered work on digital media integration in sports teaching, especially video-based approaches for reflection and instruction. Her research consistently addresses practical applications for primary school settings, with a focus on qualitative methodologies and participatory approaches that include children's perspectives. Professor Süßenbach is actively involved in significant research projects including 'Sport vernetzt,' the Move4Health subproject examining sports clubs as developmental environments for children, and the Circular EURO 2024 sustainability initiative. Her work has received substantial institutional support, including the 'Millions in funding for Leuphana teacher training' project from 2018. Her academic contributions extend to practical applications in schools, particularly through her work on wheelchair basketball (RoBaTaS project) and video-based reflection methods for physical education. She regularly presents her findings at conferences and through media outlets, demonstrating commitment to translating research into practice.
