Higher Education in the service of sport

A utilitarian approach

When Professor Grant Jarvie of the University of Stirling challenged the sports sector at a conference in Aberdeen to make more use of what Higher Education has to offer, he was preaching what he practises.

The above are just some of the titles from recently completed postgraduate research at Stirling; research that covers an impressive gamut of approaches to sport, including historical, sociological, cultural, political, economic, physiological and bio-medical, roaming for its case studies from the UK to India, China, the Middle East, Canada and Norway.

Professor Jarvie's belief is that: "Higher Education can help provide quality sports provision, quality education, quality sports-related research and advice through a system that is international in outlook, accessible, life-long and increasingly utilitarian in the public service of sport."

Scotland's stronghold of sport

There's always been a sense of vigour about Stirling. The castle perches eagle-like above the town, a formidable guardian to the fabled glens and lochs to the north; the Wallace monument soars into the skyline in honour of one of Scotland's greatest warriors; and the name itself Stirling makes one think of reins and martingales and chain mail. It's a fitting place to nurture and analyse physical prowess and athleticism.

Research in the Department of Sports Studies has a rating of 4, demonstrating national excellence in virtually all of the research activity submitted with some of international excellence. Research strengths are allied with those of other staff at Stirling in the Institute of Sports Research. The expertise that is provided makes for such a long and interesting list that the best way to convey it is by that indispensable convention from the academics' toolkit a set of bullet points:

• business aspects of sport
• exercise physiology and health
• football policy and culture
• history of sport
• international comparisons on sports development
• physical education and schooling
• psychology of sport
• social and economic aspects of sport
• sociology of sport
• sport and nutrition
• sport and the law
• sport and youth
• sport, exercise and ageing
• sport, film and media studies
• sport in Scottish culture
• sports management and organisational studies
• sports policy and development

The Institute for Sports Research

The Institute for Sports Research is located within the Department of Sports Studies. It was established as a centre of international excellence to utilise the sports-related expertise of economists, sociologists, psychologists, scientists, historians, policy strategists, media experts, education, management and legal specialists within the University of Stirling whilst allowing authorities elsewhere to be drawn upon for particular research projects.

Members of the Institute have particular expertise in analysing social, economic and historical data as a basis for formulating policy advice and staff have a wide range of skills which have involved research and sports policy advice for sportscotland (formerly the Scottish Sports Council), the Scottish Parliament, the European Union, Local Authorities, and Research Councils.

A campus that leads in its field

As you might expect with all this research taking place, the University of Stirling also has excellent sports facilities and turns out talented athletes. In fact, the sum of all these parts has led to the university being selected to house the headquarters of the Scottish Institute of Sport, the Commonwealth Games for Scotland and Scottish Swimming.

The Scottish Institute of Sport run a number of high flying programmes including the Individual Athlete Programme which adheres to stringent entry criteria before an athlete can follow an individual development programme overseen by a personal coach. Other programmes include: the Athlete Career and Education (ACE UK) which assists talented athletes to achieve and sustain world-class performance, while also providing support with their skills, education, training and employment opportunities; and Elite Sports Analysis a world leader in the field of performance analysis consultancy whose team of consultants work with coaches, athletes and teams at the top level in a wide range of sports around the world. It has also released its performance analysis software as a standalone product Focus X2.

Starting out

The first step of course in pursuing the study of sport is to take a degree or an MSc in Sports Studies. Stirling offers both of these. The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen also offer a BSC (Hons) in Sports and Exercise Science; and The University of Aberdeen offers a single honours degree in Sports Studies (Sport & Society).

The University of Glasgow has an established tradition of research in Exercise and Sport Science and the creation of the Centre for Exercise Science & Medicine (CESAME) in 1998 provides an interdisciplinary focus for research across a broad spectrum of studies.

The next time you see a ball of whatever shape being kicked, thrown or batted into the air you might, if up until now you've been a mere spectator or player, start to appreciate there's more to the subject than meets the eye.