Nearly 400 international researchers gather in Jyväskylä to discuss responsibility in sports
Researchers from 42 countries will attend the event.
“Although sport sociology is a relatively small field in itself, its research topics concern societies and individuals globally. Sport sociology examines the societal significance of physical activity and sport through a critical lens,” says Hanna Vehmas, Secretary General of the conference and University Lecturer at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Physical Activity Mika Poutala will attend the opening of the conference on Monday, 15 June at 18:00. The keynote speakers include Associate Professor Oscar Mwaanga from the University of London, Professor of Practice Kaari Mattila from the University of Eastern Finland, and Professor Ramon Llopis-Goig from the University of Valencia.
The conference begins on Sunday, 14 June with a doctoral seminar, which will bring together nearly 100 doctoral researchers in sport sociology from around the world. The conference will conclude on Midsummer’s Eve with a celebration of the Nordic nightless night in Central Finland.
Roots of the international sport sociology organisation trace back to Jyväskylä
The conference is jointly organised by the European Association for Sociology of Sport (EASS) and the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA).
The roots of ISSA, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, trace back to Jyväskylä. One of its key founders was Kalevi Heinilä, the first Finnish professor of sport sociology and a former rector of the University of Jyväskylä, who passed away in 2022. Since its founding, ISSA is now holding its conference in Finland for the first time. For EASS, this year’s conference marks its second time in Finland, and the association will celebrate its 25th anniversary in Jyväskylä.
Further information
Hanna Vehmas
Secretary General of the Conference, University Lecturer
Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä
hanna.m.vehmas@jyu.fi, Tel. +358 40 805 3977
