“Supporting dual careers starts with caring environments”

According to keynote speaker Miquel Torregrossa-Álvarez, universities need to create caring environments that promote both academic success and mental wellbeing. At the FISU World Forum 2026 in Östersund, he will share how universities and sport organisations can work together to make that happen.

Miquel Torregrossa-Álvarez is Professor of Sport Psychology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and Director of the Sport Research Institute (IRE). His research focuses on dual careers, career transitions and mental health in sport, and he has coordinated several national and international research projects in these areas. He has also supervised more than 20 PhD students and collaborates with sport organisations and high-performance centres across Europe and the Americas.

His keynote, scheduled on the opening day of the Östersund 2026 FISU World Forum – will explore how universities and sport organisations can better support athletes in combining elite sport with higher education, while creating environments that foster both performance and wellbeing.

– What is the one key message you hope participants will take away from your keynote in Östersund?
– That dual careers must be planned based on caring environments that promote the mental health of athletes.

– In your view, what is the biggest challenge universities face today when it comes to promoting student health, wellbeing and physical activity?
– Balancing the level of demand with the facilities provided so that student athletes enjoy good levels of well-being.

The importance of bilateral empathy

– Can you share an example of a university, organisation or initiative that is making a real difference and could inspire others around the world?
– I prefer not to mention specific names because you always overlook some. In general, the ones that make real differences are those that are concerned with monitoring their practices and continuously improving them.

–If every participant could leave the Forum and make one change at their university, what would you like that change to be?
– I would like them to develop bilateral empathy – not only care about your own domain (sport or education), but also understand the needs of the other.

– What are you most looking forward to experiencing in Östersund and at the FISU World Forum?
– Meeting colleagues and professionals from different countries, exchanging experiences and learning good practices to improve our programmes.