Professor David McGillivray, Co-Director of CCSE, has delivered a keynote address at an international conference in Cape Town on the need for major sport events to take a more responsible approach to human rights and social justice. Professor McGillivray spoke at the World Association for Sport Management conference, where he set out the case for stronger accountability, better governance and a clearer focus on the impact major events can have on workers, communities and host cities.
Continue reading “CCSE Professor addresses international conference on human rights and sport”CCSE representation at The Football Collective, November 2025
In the last week of November 2025, The Football Collective’s annual conference took place at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park. The conference was hosted by Ulster university and provided the opportunity for over 120 attendees (academic and other interested parties) to come together to listen, learn, and debate on some of the contemporary issues within the football (soccer) landscape. The theme of the conference was Shaping critical agendas in football.
Continue reading “CCSE representation at The Football Collective, November 2025”CCSE: Topics of Interest for SGSSS Student-led Open Competition 2025/26
Colleagues from the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events (CCSE) at University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are eligible to supervise students in the area of sport, leisure and tourism (Unit of Assessment 24) for the SGSSS Student-led Open Competition which is now open for applications.
Continue reading “CCSE: Topics of Interest for SGSSS Student-led Open Competition 2025/26”CCSE Deputy Director debates the social value of sporting and cultural events
On August 5th, as part of the famous Edinbrugh Festivals, CCSE Deputy Director, Professor David McGillivray, was invited to participate in the inaugural Centre for Events and Festivals (CEF) debate. Debate panellists were asked to consider, “Do large scale cultural festivals deliver more social value than major sporting events?” with David and his partner, Iain Edmondson, on the opposition side, arguing for the value of sporting events, against Professor Jane Ali-Knight and Lyndsey Jackson, from the Edinburgh Fringe making the case for cultural festivals.
Continue reading “CCSE Deputy Director debates the social value of sporting and cultural events”CCSE collaborates with Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games organisers to develop legacy story of change
Last week, CCSE’s Professor Gayle McPherson, Dr Briony Sharp, Professor David McGillivray and Callum McCloskey collaborated with Alex Johnston and colleagues from the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company to deliver eight legacy workshops involving a diverse range of stakeholders with an interest in how the Commonwealth Games can be a catalyst for meaningful impact in 2026 and beyond.
Continue reading “CCSE collaborates with Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games organisers to develop legacy story of change”Mega sport events and human rights focus of new CCSE film
Mega sporting events and human rights are at the centre of a new documentary film produced by Professor David McGillivray and other CCSE colleagues, in collaboration with an international group of academic and non-academic partners.
The film, titled EventRights: Progressing Human Rights in Sport Events was produced by UWS’ FIRE base, as an outcome of the EventRights research project, and explores the potential for mega sport events like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup to shine a light on and advocate positively for progressive social change, within host communities and beyond.
Continue reading “Mega sport events and human rights focus of new CCSE film”Euro 2024: a FANtastic experience for all? Insights from Fan Zones
Several high-profile incidents have occurred in recent years at major football events, where the general public, media personnel, academics and fans alike, have criticised authorities for their failure to strike the right balance between security and an enjoyable fan experience.
Continue reading “Euro 2024: a FANtastic experience for all? Insights from Fan Zones”Vila Autódromo, the favela that stood up to the Olympic Games, eight years on
As part of my recent EventRights mobility to Rio de Janeiro, I revisited Vila Autódromo, a favela community that became emblematic of evictions linked to mega-events in the city.
Continue reading “Vila Autódromo, the favela that stood up to the Olympic Games, eight years on”FestivalsConnect: Talking EDI & the many facets of accessibility…
Fine days can be few and far between in Scotland, it has seemed particularly so this spring; heavy rain has featured most days. Thus, when the sun does put in an appearance, spending time in a basement conference suite might not be everyone’s first choice.
Continue reading “FestivalsConnect: Talking EDI & the many facets of accessibility… “EventRights Mobility to USA (20th February – 21st April 2023)
I recently returned from a two-month mobility to the US; its purpose to carry out observation and conversations, as the first phase of my study, entitled: ‘Mega Events, Governance and Human Rights: A Case Study of the United 2026 World Cup’
Continue reading “EventRights Mobility to USA (20th February – 21st April 2023)”#FestivalsConnect and So Do In-Person Launch Events!
On a bright Tuesday morning a couple of weeks ago, members of the CCSE team found themselves walking briskly about the corridors of UWS’s Paisley campus, counting chairs, tracking down pens, collecting printouts from photocopiers.
Continue reading “#FestivalsConnect and So Do In-Person Launch Events!”