Professor Steven Jackson receives international lifetime scholar award

Professor Steven Jackson with a group of postgraduate students from Otago and Korea at the 60th ISSA (International Sociology of Sport Association) World Congress of Sociology of Sport held in Korea.

Professor Steven Jackson from the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences has been recognised by the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA) with a Lifetime Honorary Member Award.

Presented at the recent 60th ISSA World Congress of Sociology of Sport held in Korea, the award honours the exemplary scholarly contribution of academics who have shaped the intellectual foundations of socio-cultural inquiry in sport.

While Otago has always been well-represented within ISSA, this year's anniversary event was even more special. Attending the Congress with two other School academics, Professor Mike Sam and Associate Professor Mark Falcous, Steve says there were about 20 current and former academic staff, postgraduate students, and world-class scholars who have spent time on sabbatical at Otago.

"People from other countries are always asking how we are so connected and how we manage to have such a global presence," Steve says. "I think it's just the high-quality research we undertake, the amazing postgraduate students we attract and support, and the great network of colleagues we have established around the world."

"These factors also drive our continuing success in the QS World Rankings for 'sport'-related research and teaching that is Otago's, and indeed Aotearoa's, highest subject ranking area. This is an amazing achievement given how small we are."

He adds that attending these conferences continues to play a key role in growing Otago's global reputation and provides visibility and networking opportunities that are essential for being nominated for leadership positions and other roles.

The theme of this year's Congress, '60 Years of the Sociology of Sport: Past, Present, and Future Trajectories', included contemporary challenges such as human rights, widening social inequality, and the myriad of issues (for example, doping and athlete maltreatment) threatening sport's integrity.

Professor Steven Jackson receives a Lifetime Honorary Member Award from the International Sociology of Sport Association.

ISSA's mission is to help facilitate high-impact research that informs public policy, and Steve says that while sport is often overlooked within both state and university priorities, its strategic location intersects with other key sectors including health, education and tourism.

"'Sport' still tends to get marginalised in academia which is a real curiosity given that governments invest significant funding into elite and community sport, it's a major global business, and is amongst the oldest and most popular forms of culture in human history."

"What is reassuring and exciting however, is that scholars across many fields including anthropology, geography, political science and media studies are now 'discovering' the links between sport and their areas of expertise."

One of the highlights for Steve of attending the World Congress,was being inspired by the next generation of emerging scholars and postgraduate students including those attending from the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences.

"It is easy to forget just how good our students are, but when you see them presenting such cutting-edge research and the positive feedback of international scholars, one can only feel a sense of pride."

On receiving the Lifetime Honorary Member Award, Steve says he was "surprised, honoured, and humbled, particularly given the stature of some of the previous Honorary Award members".