CCSE Associates
The Centre for Culture, Sport and Events is part of the wider University of the West of Scotland research community, Many staff and PhD students from the School of Business and Creative Industries undertake research which is relvant to the four themes of the Centre.
Dr Carlton Brick
Lecturer in Sociology
Dr Carlton Brick joined UWS in 2003 as a lecturer in sociology. Before becoming a full time academic he has had a varied and wide-ranging employment history, including amongst others, book restorer, and sports journalist.
Prior to joining UWS he was Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Social & Cultural Studies of Sport & Leisure, at the University of Surrey Roehampton, where he completed his PhD in 2002. His particular areas of academic expertise and interest are drawn from fields of sociology of leisure, fan cultures, identity and consumption, and social theory. His work has appeared in a variety of publications including Spiked, Four Four Two, Living Marxism, and a wide range of scholarly journals and publications.
He was a founding member of Libero, the civil rights campaign for football supporters, and was editor of the fanzine Offence until 2000.
His current research is driven by an interest in the relationships between culture, society, and the individual, with particularly focus on the intersections of identity, memory and place. In the recent period his main focus has been on the role of cultural memory in the (de) politicisation of urban spaces – an increasingly prominent, but not unproblematic narrative within regeneration policies as urban spaces seek to reposition themselves within increasingly post-industrial service led globalised economies.
He was a member of the Scotland ITF Taekwon-Do squad that competed in the 2019 EITF European Championships in Rimini, Italy.
Dr Carlton Brick UWS PURE Profile
Dr Carlton Brick personal website
Dr Liz Carlin
Lecturer in Sports Coaching & Development
Dr Liz Carlin is a research assistant working on parasport participation and the legacy of integrated/ non-integrated parasport major events. Liz has previously worked at UWS on a social impact study of a Dementia Friendly Walking Football program in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Scotland and is also a member of the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Research Network working on a European wide study of the social inclusion of Special Olympics athletes within their local communities. Her PhD was a cross-cultural analysis of the management and motives of volunteers within Special Olympics.
Previous work has involved collaborations with Public Health England as part of the evaluation of a large scale, national clinical champions physical activity program at Loughborough University. Liz is a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercises Sciences (BASES) and also of the UK Sport Volunteer Research Network (SVRN). Externally, Liz works as a coach educator with Sport Northern Ireland and Coaching Ireland as well as a casual teaching associate within Ulster University’s School of Sport.
Oluwaseyi Aina
PhD student
Sport and play are a crucial part of every child’s life. And over the years, it has been discovered that children go through series of rights abuse during Mega Sporting Events, such as the Olympics, FIFA, World Cup, and so on. Hence, my research aims to analyse the mechanism through which children’s rights can be protected and promoted in Mega Sporting Events, drawing on the context of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Dr Séverin Guillard
Assistant Professor/ Lecturer Université de Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV)
Dr Séverin Guillard is a lecturer in geography at Université de Picardie Jules Verne. Prior to taking up this position in September 2021, Séverin was postdoctoral research fellow at the University of the West of Scotland, where he contributed to the FestSpace HERA project (Festivals, Events and Inclusive Space in Europe). Séverin completed a PhD dissertation at the University of Paris Est in 2016, His thesis analysed the imaginaries and practices of urban space in French and American rap music in a context of cultural globalisation. This work drew on ethnographic data gathered across several local scenes in France (Paris and Lille) and the United States (Atlanta and Minneapolis). He then contributed to various collective projects in hip-hop and popular music studies and, at the University of Cergy-Pontoise, collaborated on research examining the impact of theatres in disadvantaged cities of the Parisian banlieue. He held positions as a temporary lecturer at the Universities of Paris Est and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, where he taught classes in social and cultural geography, urban studies, and tourism studies
Thorsten Brønholt
PhD student and Associate Lecturer
Thorsten Brønholt is a project manager turned academic. He recently completed his PhD at the University Of The West Of Scotland, researching how digital platforms shape and reshape us as individuals and societies. Thorsten holds a M.Sc. and a B.Sc. in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen. In his MA Thesis, Gated Communities of the Digitised Mind, he introduced the theoretical concept of the same name (as cited by Käyhkö, 2019). As an academic, Thorsten is particularly interested in ethics and philosophy of the digital age. As a lecturer he specialises in Research Methodology, Cyber Policy (IR), and Philosophies of Science whilst also teaching various other themes of politics and social science. Together with a colleague (Carolina Silveira) Thorsten developed a concept for student-led initial training and scientific induction for PhD students which has been implemented across UWS and, was showcased at the Learning and Teaching conference in 2019. In addition to publishing widely, Thorsten has joined the Internet Commission – an independent initiative aimed at introducing and furthering transparency and accountability of internet platforms – where he works especially on the development, methodology, and analysis of the responsibility reporting framework (see inetco.org).
Thorsten Brønholt ResearchGate link
Len McCaffer
PhD student
Len has worked as an actor, writer and producer in Theatre, film and television for over 25 years, initially training at Manchester Metropolitan University. His theatre company White Rabbit Cowboys had several sell-out Edinburgh fringe shows winning awards and touring. As a producer he ran Firefly Arts film and media department and for the last eight has worked as Arts Officer with West Lothian Council, managing several concurrent Community Arts projects with a specific remit of Wellbeing. He has a MA in film production from Edinburgh Napier University and is currently studying a PhD at the University of West of Scotland.
PhD Outline:
His PhD is a Practice as Research project studying the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr. This research aims to capture the Intangible Cultural Heritage, people’s informal associations and attachments with the theatre. What does the theatre mean to the people of Ayr? It analyses community interactions and the theatre’s impact. Data for this study includes oral histories, immersive heritage techniques and drama workshops, all designed to gain insights into the theatre’s relevance. The data collected will inform an immersive promenade theatre performance informing new audiences on the theatres heritage and utilising the building in a radical new way. The research aims to discover how the theatre can have continued relevance to the community; analyse and challenge the theatres output, its community engagement and sustainability into the twenty first century.
Njomza Mehani
PhD Student
Njomza holds a BA Degree in Political Science and Public Administration (Dardania College, Pristina, Kosovo) and a master’s degree in Diplomacy (University of Westminster, London, UK). Currently, she is reading for her PhD studies at UWS. After completion of her master’s degree in the UK, Njomza returned to Kosovo with the aim of contributing to higher education; working as a lecturer at Dardania College. In addition to her academic engagement, Njomza became increasingly involved in civil society activity, establishing an NGO; the Kosovo Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (KICD) with the aim of enhancing the cultural sector in Kosovo.
Njomza’s doctoral research work is mainly focused on cultural diplomacy and related to the issues encountered during the peace-building period in Kosovo, the promotion and improvement of the national image after independence in 2008. Other academic interests focus on the topics of ethnic conflict, culture and the Western Balkans.
Nasser Alkubaisi
PhD Student
Greis Cifuentes
PhD Student
Greis Cifuentes is a PhD candidate from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). Her research into peace-building processes explores the role that artistic processes and activities in Colombia can play in providing context-specific solutions.She holds an MA in International Cooperation from the Université de Montpellier, and a BA in Governance and International Relations from the Universidad Externado de Colombia.
Through her extensive work experience Greis has gained a deep appreciation for arts and culture as essential tools to promote social change in post-conflict environments. She has previously worked for the Colombian Ministry of Culture, the Fulbright Commission in Colombia and Germany, the EU Delegation to Colombia, and the Colombian Consulate in New York.
Greis was part of the research project for the British Council on the Contribution of Art and Culture in Global Security and Stability (2018). She has authored a chapter on the role of arts and culture in the peace building process in Colombia for the academic journal ‘Memorias’ (Forthcoming in 2019). She also has blog dedicated to the potential that arts have in the Colombian peacebuilding process. Besides her academic work, Greis is a columnist for the newspaper El Olfato in Colombia.
Dr Jenny Flinn
Lecturer in Events Marketing
Jenny Flinn joined UWS in 2020 as a Lecturer in Events Marketing having previously designed, developed and led programmes in events at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level at Glasgow Caledonian University. Her research interests lie in the area of festivals and events with a particular focus on the experiential aspect of events, community impacts of events and safety/security for events. Jenny has published a number of articles and book chapters and has experience of undertaking consultancy projects and designing CPD products for industry. She is currently the module leader for the CCSE CPD module The Future of Events which is delivered in conjunction with the Centre for Business Innovation and Transformational Technology.
Jenny also has a strong interest in the relationship between the events industry and Higher Education and is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate, examining how universities and industry can collaborate to enhance the student experience and increase graduate employability. She has been a member of the Executive Board of the Association for Events Management Education since 2009 and has recently been re-elected to the role of Secretary.
Dr Alison Clifford
Reader in Digital Art
Alison Clifford is an artist, researcher and Reader in Digital Art at UWS.
Her research focuses on the new creative possibilities that emerge through processes of translation and interpretation between media, realised through her digital art practice. This includes: audiovisual installations, experimental moving image digital artworks, interactive artworks and electronic literature.
She has exhibited widely in various international new-media and electronic art festivals and exhibitions, and has received several awards and commissions. These include a BAFTA nomination for interactive media, a commission from SFMOMA, and inclusion in the second edition of the Electronic Literature Collection (USA).
Her current practice-based research continues her interdisciplinary collaboration with composer and sound artist Graeme Truslove. Through collaboration, they investigate how natural systems can be used to propagate relationships between audio and visual elements in immersive audiovisual art practice.
Alison has a PhD from Glasgow School of Art, (title: ‘Articulating the Interstitial: Interpretive Responses in Digital Art Practice’); a Master in Digital Art from the Audiovisual Institute, University of Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona), and an MA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh.
Dr Alison Clifford’s UWS Pure Profile.
Gemma Lumsdaine
Masters Student
Gemma is a 24 year old wheelchair athlete from Monifieth, who is a member of the GB Wheelchair Rugby Talent Squad which helps to prepare athletes to make the step to the Paralympic Squad. Gemma is also in the Scottish Disability Sport Athlete Academy. Prior to competing in wheelchair rugby Gemma played wheelchair basketball at a national level. She also coaches wheelchair sports for Dundee Dragons Wheelchair Sports Club and won the COVA Young Coach of the Year in 2018.
As well as being athlete and coach Gemma sits on the Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Advisory Board and has been a member of the Scottish Disability Sport Young People’s Panel. She now supports and mentors the newly formed board.
During the pandemic Gemma worked tirelessly to provide support and engagement opportunities for people with a disability which included weekly workout sessions and talks by Paralympians. She has been also run workshops and delivers training on areas related to disability sport, mental health and well-being. Gemma has spoken at conferences and events about issues relating to disability and inclusion and has been recognised as one of the most inspirational young women in Scotland by the YWCA. Gemma has recently completed a degree in Sports Development and Coaching at Abertay University and hopes this will help to progress her career in disability sport.
Solomon Ilevbare
PhD Student
I have just begun my doctoral study with the School of Business and Creative Industries at the University of the West of Scotland. My PhD is in the area of Sport and Cultural Diplomacy, on creating Soft Power change and Nation Branding. My research includes examining sport as a tool for promoting closer dialogue and integration in a multicultural society, a tool to surge for development and the promotion of a peaceful relationship in the international community.
Prior to commencing my PhD study, I had attended Babcock University in Nigeria for my bachelor’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy and completed my MSc programme in Security, Peace-building and Diplomacy at Loughborough University London. My PhD research is a reflection of my diverse academic background and knowledge acquired over the past few years.
Francis Adams
PhD Student
PhD Thesis title: promoting and protecting indigenous African cultural heritage through digital and cultural diplomacy.
Case study location: Platfontein, South Africa
Methods: Convergent mixed-methods
PhD Outline:
The case study is to examine the benefits of Cultural Diplomacy, alongside Digital Media, as a medium, through which sustainable Indigenous African Cultural Heritage could be promoted and protected. Specifically, the purpose of the case study is to investigate and explore sustainable and effective ways that could use the global digital infrastructure as an instrument of Cultural Diplomacy to safeguard the San/Bushman Cultural Heritage. With the power of Digital Media, Cultural Diplomacy linked to Indigenous Cultural Heritage could positively influence global public opinion and the ideology of individuals, communities, cultures or nations on the values of African Indigenous Cultural Heritage
Yara Moulla
PhD Student
Yara Moualla has MA degree in Art and Archaeology from the Lebanese University, Beirut and another MA degree in Cultural Heritage for development from the University of Turin, Italy in collaboration with the UNESCO World Heritage Center. She was the Arts project manager at the British Council in the United Arab Emirates in 2008. In 2009 she made a return to Syria where she worked with civil society to shift the national agenda to mobilise culture as a pillar for development. She is part of the UNESCO expert pools and consulting the Syria Trust for development in their role in evaluating the nomination files for intangible cultural heritage at the UNESCO 2003 convention. Moualla lives in Berlin and preparing a PhD with the University of the West of Scotland in collaboration with Institute of Cultural Diplomacy, Berlin; examining the soft power of cultural heritage through the theory of change with a special focus on the Syrian context.
Reem Kassem
PhD Student
Reem Kassem is a PhD candidate at the University of West Scotland, and a cultural manager with 17 years of experience in the cultural sector, including in performing arts, community arts, economic development, and cultural policies.
In her previous appointments, her roles included: the Head of Performing Arts at the Library of Alexandria (Egypt), Manager of Programming & Cultural Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation ADMAF, Manager of Community and Education, and Director of AGORA for Arts and Culture NGO. Currently she is a theatre programmer at the Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi. Reem’s research project explores cultural engagement as a framework to facilitate a role for Ministries of Culture to act as enablers between ministries, while developing policies to counter violent extremism. The model will frame policy recommendations in new innovative approaches, skills and tools concerning complex environments impacted by conflict and violence, suggesting policy-level cross-sectoral collaboration with culture at the heart of these strategies.
The research will look at two different cultural policies models; firstly, where the state is a strong supporter of culture and secondly, the case where the state’s support of culture is minimal. The research will also include a review of best practice from grassroots initiatives in locations such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Libya. In addition, data will be gathered from Bab Elbahr international festival, taking the event to new locations, examining new target groups by developing a community engagement methodology.