Research and consultancy work

Our current and recent work.

We provide a vibrant, supportive gathering space for impactful sports research. We seek to work with the best possible partners and practice to address contemporary sporting problems and issues and to inform and improve lives and communities.

A set of values and principles that we share with the Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences guide our engagement:

  • mutual respect for the history, context, values and culture of communities that we engage with
  • equity by recognizing the inherent dignity of every human being and the just distribution of resources and access, especially with respect to marginalized and vulnerable groups
  • sustainability by living and working within the limits of available physical, natural and social resources to facilitate the self-reliance and independence of individuals and communities
  • social justice by advocating and evidencing that individuals and groups have fair and impartial access to the benefits of society, including the right to health, physical activity and sport
  • excellence in striving for and adhering to the highest standards of quality, integrity, professionalism and leadership
  • accountability and responsiveness to students and the communities we collaborate with
  • pursuit of global public good by appreciating our roles and obligations as leaders in creating, sharing and translating knowledge about and through sport for the benefit of all people
  • cooperative spirit through mutual enrichment, openness and a commitment to reciprocate working with communities of best practice working in our areas
  • quality - an aspiration to continually improve on the quality of everything that we do

Learn more about the work we do and support on our Edinburgh-Toronto public symposia and lectures page.

University and College Research Themes

The Academy of Sport is part of the following University and College Research Themes

  • Work and Economy
  • Data and Digital
  • Future Cities
  • Health and Well-Being

Learn more about the University and College Research Themes

Current and recent projects

This study examined the seasonal sustainability reporting of Formula E for its content, variation, and linearity.

Learn more about Racing with a Purpose


The paper aims to evidence and reflect upon China’s use of football during the New Era (since 2012).

Learn more about China's football development


The report examines the use of sport as an enabler of cultural relations and peacebuilding in the 21st century. It asserts that sport matters, has scale, is a pillar of connectivity, and is an invaluable tool but also that those involved with cultural relations and peacebuilding need to be smarter about how, when, and where to use sport.

Learn more about the Sport, cultural relations and peacebuilding project


This report identifies sport as a unique exemplar of a globally powerful, yet locally adaptive, community-embedded implementation model that can improve mental health. Sport has unmatched global reach and the power to unify people and cultures through a universal language. Sport can support health systems under pressure, while strengthening communities.

Learn more about the Sport for mental health project


This report specifically focuses upon Hibernian Football Club and draws upon a specific data-driven sentiment analysis, a specific social-demographic analysis and a secondary body of reports relating to the future of sport. It is structured around three main sections:

  1. Scottish Football and Covid 19
  2. Hibernian Football Club and Covid 19
  3. Recommendations and Observations

Learn more about the Hibernian Football Club report


Further books, articles, reports, policy briefs, advisory papers and blogs are available on the University’s research portal.

Gaelic Sports Voices and Dialogue - Guthan Spòrs Gàidhlig agus Conaltradh

The Gaelic Sports Voices and Dialogue project opened up a discussion about sport in Gaelic culture.

Explore Gaelic Sports Voices and Dialogue