VACANCY / VACATURE
PhD research project: de relationship between elite sport and sport for all
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PROJECT PROPOSAL
Governments tend to justify large investments in elite sport using the argument that elite athlete
success and hosting international sporting events generate numerous positive outcomes. These
benefits include improved national identity, pride, international prestige and diplomatic
recognition, individual development of talented athletes and the capacity to inspire increased
mass participation in sport. But despite these high expectations, the cumulative evidence base
for elite sport’s personal and societal impact remains very weak. Because such outcomes of elite
sport are assumed to be self-evident, no further evidence appears to be required for
governments to justify their high investments in the pursuit of medal winning capability. These
policy concerns have led to an increased discussion on the legacy of elite sport investments within
the sport policy literature.
This research project is concerned with the question of why nations should care about winning
medals, and therefore why they should invest in elite sport. Elite sport’s societal impact is
described, among other things, in terms of (a) its inspirational value (e.g., for increased youth
participation), (b) its identification value (positive role modeling, empowerment and national
pride or identity) and (c) its economic value (related to mega-events, sponsorship, media). Much
of the work of SASO (the research unit Sport & Society at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel) is intended
to better understand the underlying mechanisms and outcomes of (elite)sporting practices.
The particular interest of this proposal is related to complex relationship between elite sport and
mass participation. The unproven relationship between elite success and mass participation leads
increasingly to tensions between opposing the political priorities of investing in elite sport for a
small group of athletes, and developing a wide range of organisations and facilities for mass
participation users. The researcher in this project can further develop the research direction to
his/her own interest and competencies. Possible research directions are related to (a) the
organization of elite sport versus mass sports in sports federations; (b) the inspirational function
of elite performances (international prestige, international recognition, pride, happiness), (c) the
inspirational function of elite athletes (sport stars as personalities), (d) the inspirational function
and legacy of elite events or (e) social corporate responsibilities of elite sport organisations and
elite athletes.
This project requires a full-time researcher, preparing a PhD, during a period of 4 years. The
subject is to some extent flexible within the background and interest of the applicant. This
includes a systematic literature review, development of the research design, choice of methods,
data analysis and reporting. The PhD is delivered as published papers for international peer
reviewed journals (min. 3, according to the faculty regulations).
Pleinlaan 2 1050 Brussel
Tel. +32 (0)2 629 27 12
BTW BE 0449 012 406
www.vub.ac.be
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COORDINATION
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Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Marc Theeboom
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Veerle De Bosscher
Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Inge Derom
REQUIREMENTS
He or she should have obtained (at least) a Master degree
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PROFILE
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Dutch speaking or English speaking
Understand research methods: knowledge of quantitative / qualitative research
methodologies
Understand elite sport policy research
Speak and write fluently/solid English (but should not be perfect)
Good research and writing skills
Be engaged and passionate, be eager to make a PhD
Within your PhD, you will be required to do a systematic review, carry out data collection
and analyze data. You will have to write a PhD thesis, consisting of papers written for
international scientific journals and to present the results on international scientific
conferences
The following elements are an advantage
- statistical knowledge; have used SPSS (with regard to your involvement in SPLISS 2.0)
- proof of good master thesis evaluation
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INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
For further details and/ or application, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Veerle De Bosscher: [email protected]
Applications should be sent no later than May 15th, preferably by e-mail.
The application should be accompanied by:
- a detailed Curriculum Vitae
- a motivation letter – interest and expectations from a PhD (what do you expect from
making a Phd)
- information – if available - about:
▪ competences and skills on writing
▪ competences with regard to statistics and research skills (e.g. master thesis;
statics course during masters or others)
▪ competences regarding the English language (speaking and writing)
▪ eventual competences and skills related to sport
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REFERENCES – READING (IF NOT AVAILABLE, CAN BE DELIVERED ON REQUEST)
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Chalip, L., Green, B. C., Taks, M., & Misener, L. (2016). Creating sport participation from
sport events: making it happen. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 1-20.
doi:10.1080/19406940.2016.1257496
De Bosscher, V., Sotiriadou, P., & van Bottenburg, M. (2013). Scrutinizing the sport
pyramid metaphor: an examination of the relationship between elite success and mass
participation in Flanders. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 5(3), 319-339.
doi:10.1080/19406940.2013.806340
Grix, J., & Carmichael, F. (2012). Why do governments invest in elite sport? A polemic.
International
Journal
of
Sport
Policy
and
Politics,
4(1),
73-90.
doi:10.1080/19406940.2011.627358
Mutter, F., & Pawlowski, T. (2014). Role models in sports – Can success in professional
sports increase the demand for amateur sport participation? Sport Management
Review, 17(3), 324-336. doi:10.1016/j.smr.2013.07.003
van Bottenburg, M. (2003). Top- en breedtesport: Een Siamese tweeling? Rapportage
sport 2003 (pp. 285-312). Den Haag: Sociaal Cultureel Planbureau.
Weed, M., Coren, E., Fiore, J., Wellard, I., Chatziefstathiou, D., Mansfield, L., & Dowse, S.
(2015). The Olympic Games and raising sport participation: a systematic review of
evidence and an interrogation of policy for a demonstration effect. European Sport
Management Quarterly, 1-32. doi:10.1080/16184742.2014.998695
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