Critical sociocultural studies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Projects in this theme consider the longstanding social, political, cultural, and philosophical complexities of sport.
Fields of expertise
- Sociology
- History
- Indigenous studies
- Cultural studies
- Education and pedagogy
- Sports coaching/leadership
- Indigenous studies
- Arts and humanities.
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See below for a selection of active projects in this theme.
Torres Strait Islander History: Sport, Culture and Identity
This project aims to investigate sport as a means of understanding the cultures, identities and history of Torres Strait Islanders. Through a community-centred approach, and a project team including Torres Strait Islanders, the project challenges versions of Australian history that marginalise the Strait or conflate Islanders with Aboriginal people. Expected outcomes of this project include a more nuanced history of Indigenous Australia, a significant body of repatriated resources on Islander sport and increased involvement of Islander communities in the history-making process. Anticipated benefits include a multifaceted contribution to reconciliation and better understanding of our unique and complex national identity.
Researchers
Associate Professor Gary Osmond, Professor Murray G. Phillips, and Mr Al Harvey
Partners / Funding
- Australian Research Council Discovery Project
Status
Active (2023 – 2026)
‘Athletes are not radicals’: Analysing the IOC’s Human Rights Record Through the Avery Brundage Collection
For most of its existence, the IOC has vigorously avoided engaging with human rights issues. The man arguably most responsible for this stance is Avery Brundage, President of the IOC between 1952 and 1972. This project analyses Brundage’s attitudes and actions on human rights by examining the Avery Brundage Collection held by the UQ Fryer Library. The Avery Brundage Collection provides a unique opportunity to historically contextualise recent changes to the IOC’s human rights policies, and to consider the Olympic Movement’s future responsibilities within a geopolitical climate that promises to become increasingly turbulent.
Researchers
Partners / Funding
- Paralympics Australia
Status
Active (2022-2023)
Australian Paralympic History Project
The first comprehensive history of the Paralympic Movement in Australia. This research focuses on the athletes, administrators, coaches, and support staff who grew Paralympic sport in Australia from its beginnings as a rehabilitative activity to the high-performance spectacle of modern times. The website, book, and community-written Wikipedia pages produced from this project highlight the contributions of famous and previously unheralded figures in the Paralympic Movement.
Researchers
Professor Murray G. Phillips, Associate Professor Gary Osmond
Partners / Funding
- Paralympics Australia
Status
Complete