Grassroots sports and acts of citizenship: exploring how social movements mobilise sports to foster social and political participation in low-income superdiverse urban locales

Summary

Social movements are increasingly using sports as a tool for engagement and mobilisation as well as for addressing a broad spectrum of societal challenges, spanning from homelessness, gentrification, and anti-migrant sentiments to combating homophobia and sexism (Genovesi, 2023; Jarvie and Ahrens 2019; Milan and Milan, 2020). In this context, grassroots sport has the potential to facilitate what Isin and Nielsen (2008) call ‘acts of citizenship’, that is moments and spaces of struggle for often marginalised subjects. This project seeks to explore how social movements mobilise grassroots sports to foster social and political participation among low-income, racialised and nonconforming subjects in ‘super-diverse’ urban locales (Vertovec, 2007; Pemberton and Phillimore, 2016). In particular, the study aims to answer the following questions:

• What are the key features of sports that are mobilised by social movements? Towards which aims are these features mobilised?
• What are the meanings that activists and participants attach to their participation in sport within social movements operating in ‘super-diverse’ urban locales?
• To what extent do sports facilitate social and political participation among low-income, racialised and nonconforming subjects in ‘super-diverse’ urban locales?

To address these questions, priority will be given to studies that use collaborative qualitative approaches, such as Participant Action Research (Fals-Borda, 1987), and innovative methods of inquiry, such as photovoice (Wang and Burris, 1997), walking interviews (Frisina, 2022), or GIS mapping (Richardson, 2013).

To what extent do sports facilitate social and political participation among low-income, racialised and nonconforming subjects in ‘super-diverse’ urban locales?

To address these questions, priority will be given to studies that use collaborative qualitative approaches, such as Participant Action Research (Fals-Borda, 1987), and innovative methods of inquiry, such as photovoice (Wang and Burris, 1997), walking interviews (Frisina, 2022), or GIS mapping (Richardson, 2013).

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years* (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period (individual project advertisements will note where part time options apply).

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.