Sport and leisure cultures PhD

The University of Brighton took a pioneering role in the development of sport and leisure research and it has been a key discipline at the university for over 40 years.

Research of international standing and impact has characterised the department throughout this time, and we welcome PhD students to join an environment that takes a critical perspective on sport and leisure and develops a public-facing, interventionist social science.

Current areas of expertise include race and racism; the politics of, in, and surrounding sport; coastal and seaside leisure, refugees; migration; the politics of movement; identity politics; social movements; football cultures and fandom; labour rights; sport and international development; gender and sexuality; sports tourism; combat sports; and sports media and journalism; sport and violence; acculturation; coach-athlete relationships; and cross-cultural communication.

Our current and recent sport and leisure PhD students are investigating a range of topics in relation to marginalised communities in sport, such as women in Palestine, refugee women, bisexual sportspeople, transgender sportspeople, community action in Rio de Janeiro, and seaside gentrification.

We offer PhD study in both full and part-time modes and welcome students with significant professional experience, who are able to use and share the career skills they have developed, as well as those who have recently completed first degrees and wish to take advantage of their academic momentum. Many of our graduates continue in academia, becoming lecturers or post-doctoral researchers. Other recent jobs include Head of Commercial Activity at a professional club in Scandinavia and Head of Community Development at a professional club in England.

The entry requirements for the PhD are: a recognised Master’s degree with a significant research component, for example MPhil from another university, or similar qualification which is regarded by the University of Brighton as being equivalent and relevant or substantial appropriate research or professional experience at postgraduate level which resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of accomplishment. An application made by someone with this experience will be considered on its merits and will normally require independent academic references or, unless a School exercises their right to specify more stringent entry requirements, we may consider a first or upper second honours degree or other qualification which is regarded by the University of Brighton as being equivalent and relevant.