- Abstract Submission Opens: July 1, 2018
- Abstract Deadline: December 15, 2018
- Notification of Abstract Acceptance: December 15, 2018
- Early Bird Registration Deadline: December 31, 2018
- Regular Registration Deadline: March 1, 2019
- Congress Dates: April 24-27, 2019
Congress theme
Sociology of Sport and Alternative Futures
Sociology of Sport, like its parent discipline Sociology and the Social Sciences more broadly, is facing unprecedented challenges not only over funding and resources, but also in terms of its legitimacy and relevance. Within the context of neoliberalism in general, and the corporatisation of university education in particular, there has been a slow but steady marginalisation of sociology of sport as a field of academic study. Curiously this has occurred despite enormous growth in the interest in ‘sport’ (broadly defined) within the global economy and as a focus of scholarly enquiry. Both the state and private interests are increasingly aware of sports’ strategic location at the intersection of key sectors of society including: education, health, business and tourism/nation branding. Moreover, scholars spanning the fields of sociology, anthropology, history, geography, politics, economics, media and communication studies, and gender studies are increasingly recognising the social significance of sport as a cultural form and practice.
As we approach the 20th year of the new millennium, the 2019 World Congress of Sociology of Sport provides an ideal platform to reflect, evaluate and contemplate the past, present and future of the field. While the sociology of sport, across all of its specialisations, has successfully identified social fault lines within sport, discussions about how to use this knowledge for social transformation and social justice through collective action and social policy have been far less robust. In short, it is timely for our field to envision and create an alternative future for both sport and its sociological analysis.
The 2019 Congress offers a unique opportunity to consider how, in the spirit of C. Wright Mills, our research, teaching, public service and political activism, can connect private experience with wider social structures, personal problems with public issues, and scientific analysis with political awareness. We invite scholars to share their research and to consider how it might contribute to a new vision for sport, exercise, physical activity and health.
Important dates
About ISSA
International Sociology of Sport Association
The sociology of sport, while grounded in sociology, has always been much more of a social science of sport. In addition to sociology, work in the field encompasses history, political science, human geography, anthropology, social psychology and economics. Also, the new off-shoots of sociology such as, cultural studies, media studies, and gender studies, are well represented in the field.
Visit www.issa1965.org for detailed information.
Become an ISSA member
The International Sociology of Sport Association/ Association Internationale de Sociologie du Sport invites membership applications for 2016 and 2017. ISSA comprises an active body of scholars who study sport from the perspectives of sociology, social psychology, anthropology, history and political economy. The purpose of ISSA is to advance for the public benefit education and research related to the social significance of sport, exercise and physical activity. Visit www.issa1965.org/membership for detailed information.
