Sociology of Sport and the Global South: Critical Perspectives on Research and Methodologies

Sport has been one of the most important social dimensions in the life of many societies worldwide, and particularly in the Global South. The holding of the Olympics and World Cups outside the Global North, in the most recent period, seems to have brought new challenges for researchers in the area. However, only in the last few decades, the sociological study of these phenomena has become something more systematic, and the production in the area more fertile. Eva and Billy are among the most enthusiastic researchers in questioning the perspectives adopted in the research field and in questioning theoretically and practically the methodologies used in fields such as sport mega-events research, Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) research and practice, and Olympic Studies. In their presentation, they will address their research in Latin America, especially in South America, and the decisions they have taken in the context of approaches and methodologies, as well as discussing the future of sociology of sport on the continent.

Billy Graeff is an Adjunct Professor in Sociology of Sport at the Federal University of Rio Grande - Brazil. He has taught Sociology of Sport, Olympic Studies, Sport Policy Analysis, and Sport and Globalisation at Loughborough University between 2014-2017. In 2016-2017, he also taught at Nottingham Trent University, in modules such as sports training pedagogy and international perspectives on sport and physical education. He holds a Ph.D. from Loughborough University. Billy recently published the book 'Capitalism, Mega Sport Events and the Global South' (2019) by Routledge - Taylor and Francis.  He is currently organising the book Global South Voices on Sport for Development and Peace, a book to be submitted to Routledge (https://idrottsforum.org/call-for-papers-global-south-voices-on-sport-fo...)

Eva Soares Moura recently received her Ph.D. in sociology from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University in Prague. In her dissertation thesis, she was interested in the connections between gender, sport, and the UN's 2030 Agenda. Her research experience is marked by a deep engagement with Global South contexts, specifically Brazil where she conducted long-term ethnography during her doctorate. She has published her research in international journals but disseminates her findings also for a broader audience. Currently, she is developing a postdoc project on environmental challenges and sport in Brazil. 

Online seminars are organized through Zoom. Registration is required in order to receive access information. Link to the registration is available HERE