8th Summer School

From July 14 to August 1, 2025, the Institute of European Sport Development and Leisure Studies at the German Sport University Cologne, in cooperation with seven Chinese partner universities, hosted the 8th Academic Summer School (ASSP). A total of 29 students and early-career researchers took part, representing institutions such as Beijing Sport University, Guangzhou Sport University, Wuhan Sport University, Hebei Sport University (China Shooting College), Shenyang Sport University, and Shenzhen University.

Over the course of three weeks, the participants engaged in six academic modules that addressed key issues in sport and social sciences. Topics included the foundations of social science research, European sport systems and good governance, historical and sociological aspects of sport, sport media, sport and education in Germany, as well as broader European sport developments. The modules combined lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practice-oriented sessions, providing an intensive framework for interdisciplinary exchange.

To deepen the learning experience, several field studies were organized. These excursions were didactically prepared, academically supervised, and closely linked to the modules. In Brussels, participants explored the functioning of the European Union; visits to the European Quarter, the Parlamentarium, and related institutions highlighted the role of European politics for sport, society, and governance, complementing the module on “European Sport Development.” Attendance at the Ruhr Games 2025 in Essen was embedded into the module “Sport Organization and Major Events,” where students analyzed the organizational and social dimensions of an international multi-sport festival. Within the module “Historical and Sociological Aspects of Sport,” the group visited the Olympic Museum in Cologne, which provided insights into the development of the Olympic Movement from a scholarly perspective. Practical sport activities at Lake Bleibtreu enabled participants to apply theoretical concepts from the module “Leisure Sport and Practice,” demonstrating the role of physical activity in everyday life and the organization of recreational sports. A cultural and academic city tour of Cologne illustrated how sport, culture, and society intersect in an urban environment, underscoring the value of interdisciplinary approaches in sport studies. Finally, an excursion to Dortmund included visits to the BVB Stadium, the Borusseum, and the German Football Museum. This activity formed part of the module “Sport History and Sport Culture” and offered a critical look at the historical and social significance of football in Germany within the wider context of European sport culture.

The program language was English. At the end of the Summer School, participants completed a written examination. Attendance, active participation, and individual performance were assessed, and an official certificate of attendance documenting the learning content and hours was issued by the Institute.

In continuity with the Summer School programs of previous years, the 2025 edition once again provided participants with valuable international and interdisciplinary perspectives on sport, society, and education in Europe. It made a lasting contribution to strengthening academic exchange between China and Germany and gave the students concrete insights into research methods, institutional frameworks, and the cultural dimensions of sport.