Responsibilities and responses of sport in contemporary society 2026

Name: Responsibilities and responses of sport in contemporary society 2026
Start: 2026-06-15T06:00:00
End: 2026-06-18T12:00:00

Conference hosted jointly by EASS & ISSA 2026 European Association for Sociology of Sport & International Sociology of Sport Association.

Info

Event date

15.06.2026 09:00 - 18.06.2026 15:00

Event type

Congresses and conferences

Event language

English

Event accessibility

Event space is accessible for all

Event address

Seminaarinkatu 15
Jyväskylä 40100
Finland

Event organizer

Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences

Event payment

A paid event

Registration period

1.12.2025 - 17.5.2026

This international sport sociology conference emphasizes the diverse realities, functions and meanings of sport, exercise and physical activity in society. Special focus is given to the responses and responsibilities of sport organisations and independently experienced forms of physical activities. The conference is jointly organised by the European Association for Sociology of Sport (EASS) and International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA), and hosted by the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä. The conference invites researchers and experts from various fields and disciplines of the social sciences of sport and sport management to explore the role and significance of sport in different communities and societies, and how responsibility is illustrated and tackled in sport.

How to Get to Jyväskylä

Jyväskylä is situated in Central Finland, approximately 270 km north of Helsinki. The city is well connected, with frequent train services, and the journey from Helsinki to Jyväskylä takes about 3.5–4 hours. Traveling by train or bus is recommended, as these options are both more convenient and environmentally friendly than flying.

From Helsinki Airport, take the Ring Rail Line train to Tikkurila Station, a short 8-minute ride with departures every 10 minutes. From Tikkurila, there are direct train connections to Jyväskylä, though in some cases a transfer in Tampere may be required.

Alternatively, if you prefer to begin your journey from Helsinki city centre, you may take the I or P train, or local bus 615, to the Helsinki Central Railway Station. The trip takes approximately 30–40 minutes. For route planning within the Helsinki region, the online journey planner Reittiopas is highly useful. You may also download the HSL mobile application, which allows you to conveniently check routes and purchase tickets.

The train journey from Helsinki to Jyväskylä takes about 3.5–4 hours. Timetables and tickets are available on the VR (Finnish Railways) website.

If you arrive at Tampere-Pirkkala Airport, you can take a bus or taxi to the city centre. From there, onward connections to Jyväskylä are available by train or bus. Further details can be found on the Finavia website.

A direct bus service operates between Helsinki Airport and Jyväskylä, with a travel time of approximately 3.5 to 5 hours. When purchasing your ticket, please confirm whether a transfer is required. Buses depart from outside Terminal 2 of the airport. Schedules and tickets are available through the Matkahuolto and Onnibus websites.

Map of the airport

Matkahuolto tickets and timetables

Onnibus tickets and timetables

Both Onnibus and Matkahuolto buses depart from Helsinki Airport as well as from the city centre. Onnibus services also operate from the Kamppi Bus Station, located within walking distance of the Helsinki Central Railway Station. To reach the Central Railway Station from the airport, you may take the I or P train, or local bus number 615. Onnibus tickets can be purchased online by credit card and, subject to availability, from the driver at a higher fare. As tickets frequently sell out, advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Most international flights to Finland arrive at Helsinki Airport, located about 20 km from the city centre. From there, you may continue your journey to Jyväskylä by plane. Connecting flights should be booked in advance, and the flight duration is approximately 45 minutes. Jyväskylä Airport (Tikkakoski) is situated around 23 km from the city centre.

Please note that there is no bus connection from Jyväskylä Airport to the city centre. Transportation is available by taxi, with a journey time of about 20 minutes and a fare of approximately €50. It is advisable to book a taxi in advance by calling +358 100 6900, as taxis may not always be available, particularly during late-night or early-morning arrivals. A free telephone is available inside the terminal for this purpose. Alternatively, you may order a taxi via the JYTAKSI mobile application (available on the App Store and Google Play). Without a prior booking, some waiting time should be expected.

Finavia website

Public Transportation
Local transport in Jyväskylä is provided by Linkki buses. A single ticket purchased in cash from the driver costs €4, or €5 after 11 p.m. However, tickets are slightly cheaper when paid with contactless methods (Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Eurocard, Google Pay, or Apple Pay) or via the mobile app, in which case the fare is €2.70 per ride. The Linkki application, available for download on mobile devices, is a convenient tool for purchasing tickets and planning routes in the Jyväskylä region.

Cycling
Cycling is also a practical way to get around the city. When using a bicycle, you should ride on designated cycle paths, marked with a blue sign featuring white symbols. In areas without a dedicated cycle path, cyclists should use the right-hand side of the roadway rather than the sidewalk, and must follow the same traffic rules as motorists. The use of a helmet is strongly recommended.

Bicycle rental

Add to calendar

Call for papers

Call for Papers, Guidelines and Information

We warmly invite submissions for oral and poster presentations addressing the Conference Main Theme:

“RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESPONSES OF SPORT IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETIES”

In addition to the main theme, we also welcome contributions aligned with the Sub-Themes listed below. We also invite colleagues to propose and chair Thematic Sessions during the conference. Kindly send your Thematic Session proposals to Hanna Vehmas by Dec 1, 2025 (hanna.m.vehmas@jyu.fi)

Child protection and safeguarding in sport
Climate change and Environmental Sustainability in Sport
Esports and virtual sports
Methodology in Sociology of Sport
Sport and Unorganized and Alternative Sport Activities
Sport and Asia
Sport, Body and Intersectionality
Sport and Commercialization
Sport and Communities
Sport, Development and Peace
Sport and Doping
Sport and Education
Sport and Ethnicity
Sport events
Sport and Gender
Sport, Health and Wellbeing
Sport and Human Rights
Sport and Ageing
Sport and Media
Sport and Migration
Sport, Nation and Identities
Sport and New Technologies
Sport Participation
Sport and Power Relations
Sport and Social Change
Sport, Social Inclusion and Exclusions
Sport and Tourism
Sport and Urbanization
Violence in sport
Youth Sport
Other

Cultural and Structural Changes in Disability Sport (chair Aija Saari)
Movement with Animals and in Nature (chair Hanna-Mari Ikonen)
Professionalization and development of sport clubs (Sport Organisations Research Network (SORN) specific session) (chair Siegfried Nagel)
Sports as workplace (chair Suvi Heikkinen)

Authors are required to submit their abstract online by 30.01.2026. Abstracts must be submitted in English, and presentations (both oral and poster) have to be conducted in English. Translation services will not be available. Each author can present only one paper as the lead author, and his/her/they name can appear on up to two additional papers as second or additional author, but not as the presenter.

· Abstracts should not exceed the 250 words.

· An abstract must include title, author(s) and affiliation(s).

· Authors should indicate a conference theme which that they feel most closely represents the topic covered and provide keywords. Organizers reserve the right to decide on the presentation type and suitable sections.

Abstracts will be reviewed by the members of the Conference Scientific Committee. Abstract submission is free of charge. Notification of the acceptance of abstracts will be provided by 23.02.2026

Oral presentations The presentations will follow a 15/5 format, 15 minutes of presentation followed by 5 minutes for questions/comments.

Abstracts should address:

Empirical papers

· Introduction or context and/or theoretical frame

· Aims/objectives

· Research method(s)

· Research findings

· Conclusions and/or contribution to the field/relevance

Theoretical papers

· Introduction

· Aims/Objectives,

· Theoretical reflections/experiences

· Implications

· Conclusions

Methodological papers:

· State of the Art

· Objectives

· Methodological reflections/experiences

· Implications

· Conclusions

Poster presentations will be shorter and held in a dedicated poster session. Presentations will last 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions.
Authors must also submit a proposal with a title, an abstract of up to 250 words, and 3 keywords.
Poster abstracts should address the following points: Objectives, Methods, Findings, Discussion, Conclusion.
Posters should use an A0 portrait format for the session.

If there is a limited number of posters and a dedicated session cannot be organized, authors may be invited to adapt their poster into an oral presentation.

For any questions related to abstract submission, please contact: eassissa2026@jyu.fi

Programme

See the programme below.

You'll find the timetable for sessions soon below.

Speakers

The conference will feature three keynote speakers who will share their perspectives on the varied roles, functions, and meanings of sport, exercise, and physical activity in society. Particular attention will be given to the responsibilities of sport organisations and to individually experienced forms of physical activity.

Professor Oscar Mwaanga

Professor Oscar Mwaangais a Praxis Professor and a co-founder of the Sport for Development (SFD) movement in Sub-Saharan Africa. He directs the International Sports Management programme at the University of London and chairs the Zambian Institute of Sport, where he champions the professionalization of sport and the decolonization of education.

Renowned as one of the “fathers” of SfD, he pioneered Kicking AIDS Out, the Edu Sport Foundation, and the GoSisters programme—initiatives that harnessed sport to tackle HIV/AIDS, empower youth, and advance gender equality, impacting more than 30 countries.

As Visiting Professor at Kwame Nkrumah University, he leads Physically Active Education(PAE), integrated into Zambia’s competency-based curriculum to promote play-based and inclusive learning. He has advised the African Union on its 2030 Sports Policy and serves on the UNESCO Chair’s Scientific Committee.

The first Zambian to earn a PhD in Sport, Professor Mwaanga has published widely and is the author of The Black Baton: Letters from a Father and the International Handbook of Physically Active Education (PAE).

Kaari Mattila

Kaari Mattila is Professor of Practice in Social Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland. Appointed in 2024, she brings extensive expertise from her career in human rights and democracy. Mattila previously served as Secretary General of the Finnish League for Human Rights and has also worked with Amnesty International Finland and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Internationally, she is a board member of the International Federation for Human Rights, the world’s oldest human rights organisation.

Her academic role focuses on strengthening students’ ability to recognise and address human rights and democratic issues in public administration, civil society, and the private sector. With deep professional networks in Finland and abroad, Mattila fosters collaboration across disciplines and connects students with real-world advocacy. She is particularly committed to highlighting the practical importance of human rights and the rule of law in shaping a fairer and more sustainable society.

Ramón Llopis-Goig

Prof. Ramon Llopis Goig received his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Valencia, Spain, in 1996. Between 1992 and 2001, he held technical and managerial roles in several marketing research and food companies. He is currently a Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Valencia, where he teaches Sociology of Sport and Social Research Methods.

He has served as Vice-Dean of Academic Planning of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Valencia (2018–2024) and as President and Vice-President of the Spanish Association of Social Research Applied to Sport (2012–2024). His academic work has been published in renowned journals such as the International Journal of Consumer Studies, Journal of Common Market Studies,Contemporary European Politics, International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, International Review for the Sociology of Sport, and Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, among many others.

Prof. Llopis Goig has carried out research stays at the University of Leicester (UK), the European University Institute in Florence (Italy), University of Cork (Ireland), and the IOC Olympic Studies Centre in Lausanne (Switzerland). He has participated in numerous national and international research projects funded both publicly and privately. His research interests include sport, consumption, health, and organizational issues, on which he has published extensively.

Registration

Early Bird registration opens: December 1, 2025
Early Bird registration closes: March 31, 2026

Regular registration: April 1 – May 17, 2026

Venue

Welcome to Seminaarinmäki Campus!

Join us on the beautiful and historic Seminaarinmäki campus – a proud holder of the European Heritage Label.

The international conference Responsibilities and Responses of Sport in Contemporary Society 2026 will take place at the Seminaarinmäki Campus, University of Jyväskylä.

Seminaarinmäki offers a unique cultural and natural setting, showcasing over a century of Finnish architectural heritage. The campus is especially renowned for its many iconic buildings designed by Alvar Aalto, attracting visitors from around the world.

Conference sessions and events will be hosted in two central venues:

The University Main Building (Capitolium, C)
The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences

Google Maps – The University Main Building (Capitolium, C)

Picture of the main building from outside — The University Main Building (Capitolium, C)

Google Maps – The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences (Liikuntarakennus)

JYU Liikunta — The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences (Liikuntarakennus)

We look forward to welcoming participants to Jyväskylä in 2026 for this important gathering at the intersection of sport, society, and contemporary challenges

Addresses:

University of Jyväskylä, Main building (C)
Seminaarinkatu 15
40100 Jyväskylä
Finland

The Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Building Liikunta (L)
Keskussairaalantie 4
FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä
Jyväskylä
Finland

Campus map

Accommodation

Accommodation options

To make your stay more comfortable, the local organizers have arranged pre-reservations and special rates exclusively for conference participants, and we warmly encourage you to explore the hotels listed below and take advantage of these offers. Please note the booking codes and deadlines for each hotel to ensure availability. Conference participants are welcome to arrange their own accommodation to best suit their needs, with reservations made directly with the hotels, and special rates available for a limited time.

Finlandia Hotel Alba welcomes all EASS & ISSA conference participants to stay by the scenic Lake Jyväsjärvi in Mattilanniemi during June 14–19, 2026, with the following accommodation options:

Standard Single Room (H1): €109 / night
Standard Double Room (H2): €130 / night
Economy Single Room (H1): €100 / night
Superior Single Room (H1): €120 / night
Junior Suite with Sauna (H1): €168 / night
Junior Suite with Sauna (H2): €190 / night

The prices include a generous buffet breakfast, access to the customer sauna during scheduled hours, free parking, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Email: info@hotellialba.fi
Phone: +358 14 636311
Address: Ahlmaninkatu 4, 40100 Jyväskylä
Website: www.hotellialba.fi  – Use the campaign code EASSISSA26 on the booking page

Original Sokos Hotel Alexandra welcomes all EASS & ISSA 2026 Conference participants to stay in the center of Jyväskylä, conveniently located near the University and the city’s main railway station. Accommodation Options (June 14–18, 2026):

Standard Single Room (H1): €131 / night
Standard Double Room (H2): €141 / night
Superior Single Room (H1): €161 / night
Superior Double Room (H2): €171 / night

The prices include a delicious buffet breakfast, access to the sauna and hotel gym, and VAT.

Email: alexandra.jyvaskyla@sokoshotels.fi
Phone: +358 20 1234 642
Address: Hannikaisenkatu 35, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland
Website: https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en/jyvaskyla/sokos-hotel-alexandra – Use the campaign code BISSAEASS on the booking page

Solo Sokos Hotel Paviljonki invites all EASS & ISSA 2026 Conference participants to enjoy a modern and stylish stay next to Lake Jyväsjärvi, within walking distance of the University and the city center. Accommodation Options (June 14–18, 2026):

Solo Single Room (H1): €155 / night
Solo Double Room (H2): €165 / night

The prices include a rich buffet breakfast, access to the sauna and fitness facilities, and VAT.

Email: paviljonki.jyvaskyla@sokoshotels.fi
Phone: +358 20 1234 645
Address: Lutakonaukio 10, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland
Website:www.sokoshotels.fi/en/jyvaskyla/solo-sokos-hotel-paviljonki – Use the campaign code BISSAEASS on the booking page

Hotel Verso welcomes all EASS & ISSA 2026 Conference participants to stay in the heart of Jyväskylä, just a short walk from the University campus and city center amenities, during June 14–18, 2026, with the following accommodation options:

Standard Single Room (H1): €120 / night
Standard Twin Room (H2): €135 / night
Superior Single Room (H1): €135 / night
Superior Twin Room (H2): €150 / night

The prices include a Finnish buffet breakfast, access to guest saunas daily from 17:00 to 21:00, VAT, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Email: info@hotelliverso.fi
Phone: +358 14 333 999
Address: Kauppakatu 35, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland
Website: www.hotelliverso.fi – Use the campaign code EASSISSA2026 on the booking page

To compensate the many costs of travelling, the conference organizers encourage you to make the most out of the time you spend in Jyväskylä. Why not stay for the weekend and see the Capital of Central Finland and the beautiful nature surrounding it?

Find more information and travel tips from the Visit Jyväskylä Region website

Visit Jyväskylä Region website

Responsibilities and responses of sport in contemporary society 2026

Important dates

Contact details

Local Organizing Committee

PhD Workshop Coordinators

Scientific Committee

How to Get to Jyväskylä

From Helsinki to Jyväskylä by train

From Helsinki to Jyväskylä by bus

From Helsinki to Jyväskylä by plane

To Helsinki by ferry

While in Jyväskylä

Add to calendar

Call for Papers, Guidelines and Information

“RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESPONSES OF SPORT IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETIES”

Sub-Themes

Thematic sessions

Guidelines

Oral presentations

Posters

Abstract submission dates

Submit your abstract here

Programme

Monday 1 December 2025

Professor Oscar Mwaanga

Kaari Mattila

Ramón Llopis-Goig

Welcome to Seminaarinmäki Campus!

Cookie consent

Cookie consent

Accommodation options

Finlandia Hotel Alba

Sokos Hotel Alexandra

Sokos Hotel Paviljonki

Hotel Verso

Green Star hotel

Travel tips