Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies
Professor John Cairney – Centre Director
Professor John Cairney is Head of School at the UQ School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences and the newly appointed director of the Centre. He brings to the role more than 20 years of experience in research leadership, having led internationally renowned research centres in both Canada and Australia. Professor Cairney assumes the leadership of the Centre from Honorary Associate Professor Ian Jobling, its founding director from (2000-2023) and current Patron.
Professor Cairney leads a multidisplinary team of researchers and educators who offer a range of expertise on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, including sports science and sports medicine, history and sociology, business and law, pedagogy, psychology and coaching, engineering, biomechanics, epidemiology and public health, and sports technology.
Professor Cairney’s own expertise is as diverse as the centre itself. After initially completing a PhD in sociology, he is now a world-leader in paediatric exercise medicine and is engaged in with multiple dimensions of sport, exercise and health research, including public health, athlete development pathways, athlete mental health and well-being, youth sport participation, sport diplomacy, and sport history.
Of the centre, Professor Cairney says:
On behalf of Professor Cairney, welcome to the UQ Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies. Please explore our research, peruse our resources, and contact us to work with our experts.
Patron
Oversight committee
- Committee member 1
- Committee member 2
- Committee member 3
- Committee member 4
- Committee member 5
Theme Leaders
- Enhancing Athletes Theme Leader: TBC
- Sport and Society Theme Leader: TBC
- Business of Sport Theme Leader: TBC
- Healthy Communities Theme Leader: TBC