The FISU World Conference on Innovation – Education – Sport will be held during the next edition of the FISU World University Games that will be held in Lucerne, in December 2021.

Under the main topic of ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Sport in Modern Society’ researchers will focus on three subthemes: Dual career, Digitalisation and Women in top-class sport. Researchers and experts from around the world are invited to submit abstracts of papers dwelling on any of the three subthemes.

The objective of the conference is to create a networking platform for scientists who will present and promote their research and innovations to enhance the sustainable development of sports. It is in particular an opportunity for the young generation of scientists and scholars from different disciplines to discuss new ideas and plan cooperative efforts in the area of sports.

This call for papers is aimed at students, scholars and researchers from various disciplines such as sports science, sociology, educational science, management, marketing, etc. and experts concerned with sport and its integrating function in global society.

Abstract proposals in English, not exceeding 500 words, should be submitted no later than 31 July 2021. Please include your name and e-mail contact details. Feedback and a decision will be provided by 1 September 2021. The abstract can be submitted along with the registration form here: Form for Submission

The rich programme of the two-day Conference includes plenary sessions, parallel sessions, poster sessions and round tables packed between the opening ceremony and the closing. The day after the Conference is reserved for visits to competitions and cultural programme, for the participants.

The conference will be held at the University of Lucerne and organised by the University of Lucerne, the Universities of teacher education Lucerne, Zug and Schwyz and the Universities of applied sciences of Lucerne and Grisons. The conference will be held in English and the dates are 13 and 14 December 2021. For further information please contact conference@winteruniversiade2021.ch.

Please find further details on each subthemes below.

Institutional Requirements for Dual Careers in High Performance Sport

• How are dual career concepts implemented? What are challenges from different disciplinary perspectives (e.g. sociology, economics, management, politics, law)?
• What are the results of empirical research on the employability of (former) top athletes? How do top athletes in different countries master the transition to professional life?
• How can career transitions be planned proactively and how do different stakeholders coordinate and cooperate (e.g. schools, universities, employers)? What role do other institutional factors, such as family and the teaching profession, play?

Fields of Digitalisation in Popular and Professional Sport

• How can digitalization serve as an «enabler» for future education services? How can universities (of applied sciences) adapt technological systems in order to develop their programs?
• How is sport consumed today and tomorrow? What does this mean for the service provider involved in the sports industry? What are potential challenges and opportunities for the different stakeholders (e.g. sports governing bodies, clubs, sponsors, etc.)
• How are digital technologies used in active sports and education in sportmanagement? What opportunities and risks does this entail for sport and athletes? (e.g. augmented reality & virtual reality, image processing, optical recording of movements and digital exploitation)

Achievements and Challenges for Women in High Performance Sport

• What special challenges do women face in high performance sport? For female athletes, trainers/coaches and sport organisations?
• What can we learn from the historical development in sport? Does sport have a model function, is sport a reflection of society or is sport a latecomer when it comes to equality?
• What marketing potential is there in women‘s team sports? How do club and association developments contribute to professionalisation in women‘s sport?