UK : PhD Studentship Sustainability and Sport

University of Central Lancashire - School of Sports, Tourism and the Outdoors

The Greening of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012

Reference No RS/08/23

Applications are invited for a full-time studentship available in the School of Sports, Tourism and the Outdoors. The studentship is tenable for up to 3 years for the MPhil/PhD (subject to satisfactory progress). The studentship will cover the cost of tuition fees at UK/EU rates plus a stipend (currently £13,290 for 2009/10) per annum. International applicants may apply but will be required to pay the difference between UK/EU and international fees. The successful applicant will start on 1st January 2010.

Project outline:

In 1996 the Olympic Charter was amended and sustainable development became one of the fundamental objectives of the Olympic Movement. In 1999 the International Olympic Commission adopted its own version of ‘Agenda 21' (the action plan that followed the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992) with three core goals of: moving socio-economic conditions, conservation and management of resources, and strengthening the role of women, young people and indigenous populations. Despite adopting respect for the environment as a core part of its mission there are continuing debates about exactly how this can be achieved. With London staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2012 a critical investigation of Olympic host initiatives to date and those being undertaken by the London organisers in light of the IOC Agenda 21 is timely. Sociological theoretical and methodological approaches to the environment underpin this PhD, however applicants with other relevant degrees (e.g. ecology, geography, sociology of sport) may also apply.

Candidates should write a brief proposal (1000 words) to explain how they interpret the research topic and how they would research it and submit it with their application.

Prospective candidates will have a very good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant social science subject (especially sociology/ sociology of sport).

Informal queries about the project may be directed to Professor John Horne (+44 1772 894235, or email jdhorne@uclan.ac.uk ).

Requests for an application pack (quoting the reference number RS/08/23) should be directed to the Graduate Research Office. Tel +44 (0)1772 895082 or e-mail researchdegrees@uclan.ac.uk .

Note: Previous applicants need not apply.

Provisional Interview Date: 16 November 2009

Closing Date for Applications to the Graduate Research Office:
28 October 2009