The Scottish Centre of Olympic Research and Education

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The Centre 

A member of the IOC's extensive network, which includes around 50 academic Olympic Studies and Research Centres globally, SCORE is the only one of its kind in Scotland and operates within Moray House. Dedicated to advancing Olympic research and education programs, the Centre was founded by Dr Jung-Woo (Jay) Lee and Dr Louis Nolte, who act as Research Director and Education Director, respectively.

SCORE’s vision is to develop, promote and disseminate Olympic research and education programs locally and internationally. The Centre plans to strategically collaborate with national and global sports organisations, focusing on the ongoing legacy of the Olympic Games, sustainability of mega-events, cross-cultural communication through the Olympic Movement and the intersection of sport and technology.

Since gaining formal accreditation from the IOC, we have enhanced our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes by establishing PhD workshops related to the Olympic Movement, and regularly inviting guest speakers to talk about the following topics: the positioning of E-sports in the Olympic Movement, and the strategic planning, governance, and career planning in the context of the Olympic Movement. Many of our guest speakers are multiple Olympians, Paralympic medallists, and CEOs of National Governing Bodies.

Dr Jung-Woo (Jay) Lee and Dr Louis Nolte

Centre highlights 

SCORE's inaugural year showcased its commitment to academic excellence and global engagement with achievements including:

• initiating PhD workshops focused on the Olympic Movement
• hosting successful international seminars addressing sustainable development goals
• receiving awards for outstanding research presentations by Moray House students
• actively participating in prestigious conferences like the Pyeongchang International Conference for Olympic Studies and Research Centres (PICOSRC)

Moreover, SCORE has organised international hybrid conferences and hosted guest speakers, including Olympians and Paralympic medalists. The Centre has partnered with esteemed sports organisations and industry professionals to enrich its programs.

We hosted our first international hybrid conference in June 2023 on Sustainable Development Goals and a Large Sporting Event in the Global South. In November 2023, our Research Director, Dr Jung-Woo Lee, represented SCORE at the Pyeongchang International Conference for Olympic Studies and Research Centres (PICOSRC 2023). 

Dr Jung-Woo (Jay) Lee and Dr Louis Nolte

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Kicking off 2024, SCORE, in partnership with the Sport Management Academic Cohort Leads, held a session for approximately 30 students and staff members from Moray House’s undergraduate Sport Management and postgraduate Sport Policy, Management and International Development programmes. The session, which was presented by Mr Craig McIntyre, focussed on sports events management. Craig is an experienced sports event management lecturer and industry professional and shared his experience managing various major international events, including local/regional/national championships, British Championships, European Championships, European Games, World Championships, UEFA events and Special Olympics.

The future and a shared vision 

Dr Nolte and Dr Lee share a common vision for SCORE's future - to establish it as a globally recognised leader in Olympic education and research. Through strong international collaborations and partnerships, SCORE aspires to become a prominent Olympic Studies Centre, contributing actively to the Olympic Movement's growth and development. The goal is to build and strengthen relationships with organisations like the British Olympic Association, fostering academic support and actively contributing to the national sporting landscape.

While we are a relatively new Olympic Studies Centre (OSC), our academic programmes are well respected within the global OSC community, and we maintain a very productive relationship with OSCs in South Arica, Switzerland, Germany and South Korea. By facilitating this international academic network, we have a strong ambition to develop SCORE into an internationally renowned OSC in the foreseeable future.

Dr Jung-Woo (Jay) Lee and Dr Louis Nolte

SCORE's journey from inception to its current position demonstrates its commitment to excellence in Olympic education and research. As the Centre continues to evolve, it seeks to make lasting contributions to the broader Olympic academic community and the development of future leaders in sports education. In 2024, SCORE will host a series of events, including multiple PhD workshops, strategic sports management talks and discussions on sports governance with industry leaders. It will also participate in international colloquia by hosting at least one of the sessions at the PSA Sport and Politics Conference, which will be held at the University of Edinburgh in March. These initiatives will enhance SCORE's academic and research contributions to the Olympic Movement.

Related information: 

E-sports workshop

Olympian Sarah Clark's talk

Dr Louis Nolte

Dr Jung Woo (Jay) Lee

The Scottish Centre of Olympic Research (SCORE)

Sport Policy, Management and International Development (MSc)