Research Projects

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We conduct research on current and classic topics in the sociology of sport. Our goal is to provide insight into the world of sports, to critically examine its “social order,” and to provide practical knowledge for competitive and recreational sports as well as physical education. We collaborate internationally, across disciplines, and across professional boundaries. The transfer of our research findings to society is a key priority for us.

Our Researchers* Project Archive Publications

Current Research Projects

QualiFT

Women are systematically underrepresented as coaches in competitive sports.

COSMOS

As part of an Erasmus Mundus Design Measure (EMDM) project, we are collaborating with five international partner universities (SE, IR, BR, …) to develop a joint international master’s program in sports science with the working title “Community Sport and Movement for Social Transformation” (COSMOS).

ZwaSpiDe Study

Forced Migration and Elite Sports in Germany: Conditions for Integration from the Perspectives of Athletes and the Sports System

Doctoral Projects

Other Research Projects

Applicants: Prof. Dr. Astrid Schubring (Project Director), Thorsten Ribbecke (Subproject Director), Prof. Dr. Stefan Grau (Project Partner), Dr. Laura Purdy (Project Partner), K. Lange (Project Collaborator)

Project Funding: Self-funded

Duration: September 1, 2025 – September 30, 2027

Advancing Sustainable Youth Performance Sport: An Interdisciplinary Researhttps://www.gu.se/en/about/find-staff/andreascaspersh-Collaboration Network

Applicants: Astrid Schubring (Project Manager), Kristof Jaczina (Project Staff), Andreas Caspers (Project Partner), Helene Bergentoft (Project Partner), Suzanne Lundvall (Project Partner), Natalie Barker-Ruchti (Project Partner), Stefan Grau (Project Partner)

Project Funding: Internal funding

Duration: April 1, 2023--> ...

Project website

Purpose and Aim of STEPS

The scientific purpose of this research collaboration is to advance the current state of knowledge on the sustainable development of performance in and through organized youth sports by integrating multidisciplinary, multi-paradigmatic, and practitioner perspectives in this research field.

To achieve our objective, we will:

establish a multidisciplinary collaboration network with researchers who possess expertise relevant to the development of sustainable youth performance sports,
discuss the integration of multidisciplinary and multi-paradigmatic knowledge on youth performance sports to create a common foundation for joint research,
develop a research plan for sustainable development interventions in youth performance sports to prepare for joint research grant applications, and
establish a network with clubs and federations to collaboratively develop sustainable development interventions in selected sports.

Applicants: Dr. Bo Peng (Project Leader), Prof. Dr. Astrid Schubring, Hanwei Zhang (Project Partner)

Project Funding: Self-funded

Duration: August 16, 2025–ongoing

Women in Leadership Positions: Career Pathways, Identity, and Formative Strategies for Career Maintenance and Advancement through a Training Program for Coaches at the Brazilian Olympic Committee

Applicants: Prof. Larissa Rafaela Galatti (Applicant) & Prof. Dr. Astrid Schubring (Project Partner)

Project Funding: FCA Unicamp Brazil

Duration: August 16, 2025 – August 15, 2027

Project website:

The Working World of Athletic Trainers in German Elite Sports: A Sociological Study of the Profession

STEPS - Advancing Sustainable Youth Performance Sport: An Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration Network

The Quantified Achievement Body: Digital Fitness Culture, Feminist Paradox, and Self-Exploitation Among Young Women

Women in Leadership Positions