Sport for Social Cohesion : Theoretical and Practical Perspectives

This book takes a critical look at the role that sport can play in fostering social cohesion. It presents important conceptual and empirical material that sheds new light on what works, and what doesn’t, in terms of the use of sport as a tool of social policy.

The book presents original research from a major international project, the Sport for Social Cohesion Lab (SSCL), that was designed to improve social cohesion in diverse, vulnerable urban neighborhoods and to support practitioners in delivering high-quality sport-for-social-cohesion. Examining the results from that project, the book also critically considers the varying definitions of ‘social cohesion’ and how outcomes are monitored and evaluated, as well as the needs, expectations and understanding of the participants. This is discussed in the context of research into other international sport-for-development projects focused on social cohesion, providing a full-spectrum analysis of both theory and practice in this important area of sports research.

This is fascinating reading for all researchers, advanced students or practitioners with an interest in sport development, sport policy, social policy, or the relationship between sport and wider society.

Karen Petry is Senior Researcher and Deputy Head of the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies at the German Sport University Cologne, Germany. She is UNESCO Co-Chairholder in Sport for Development, Peace and Environment in a Multidisciplinary and Global Perspective. Karen is responsible for the research activities in national, European and international sport policy, sport and gender, and sport for development. She has worked on numerous European and international projects and has (co-) edited around 25 books as well as (co-) authored around 150 articles.

Louis Moustakas is Professor of Sports Management and Sports Sociology at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein, Austria. He serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure. Louis’ work is significantly influenced by extensive practical and policy experience, including stints within various national sports organisations and sport-related NGOs. He is Secretary General of the European Network of Sport Education (ENSE) and in this role he has worked on numerous pan-European projects and served on various political committees, including working groups associated with the European Commission and Council of Europe.