NEWS

Happy New Year

Olympic fever will be hitting my home town when the torch relay arrives on 17 July on its way to Hastings. In anticipation of this, I have been involved in undertaking new research for an exhibition that focuses upon the sporting heritage of the town. The Sport in Bexhill exhibition is opening on 7 February and I am eagerly looking forward to its reception, having unearthed some intriguing stories and personalities that will put Bexhill on the map. 

This year, I'll be involved in organising two events. The PSA Sport and Politics Group's 6th Annual Conference is occuring at Southampton Solent University on 24 February on the theme 'Sport politics, identity and the media', and the University of Brighton is hosting a one-off conference for the Leisure Studies Association on 1 June on 'Coastal Cultures'.

Otherwise, I have an earnest year ahead of undertaking research, completing grant applications and fulfilling publication commitments. I'll be completing research into water pollution and environmental management, the community dimensions of football stadia, the contemporary climbing hero, and parkour in the UK.

Expect some new essays to be appearing throughout the year in the download section on:

Lifestyle sport and digital media

Climbing Beachy Head

Space hijacking and the politics of leisure

Coastal cultures and the creative class

The contemporary climbing hero

Sport and the Big Society