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Responsibilities and responses of sport in contemporary society 2026

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
-

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.

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Call for Abstracts opens: October 20, 2025
Call for Abstracts closes: January 31, 2026

Preliminary programme at glance.





programme at glance

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

Oscar

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

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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

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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.

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

Regular registration: April 1 – May 17, 2026

Welcome to Seminaarinmäki Campus!

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

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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

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Campus map

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.
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