Sport in Society Research Fellows and Young Scholars Program

I. General Information

Sport in Society�s Research Fellows and Young Scholars program are one-year opportunities for faculty, students and practitioners to promote scholarship in the domain of sport and social issues. The objective of these programs is to foster action-oriented intellectual exploration that furthers the relationship between the study of sport and the practices of education and advocacy.

The Research Fellows program offers academic researchers and field practitioners a unique opportunity to engage in a rapidly expanding academic and outreach field. In collaboration with the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, fellows will support and further legitimatize this important work.

The Young Scholars Program was created specifically for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the Research Fellows program with additional guidance and support from academic faculty.

Each year Sport in Society identifies specific research needs related to the organization�s work and also invites project proposals that reflect the Center�s mission and values. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis prior to May 1st of each year. The annual cohort of Research Fellows and Young Scholars are announced in June and Fellows spend the following academic year working in collaboration with Sport in Society. Fellows may conduct research from any location.

II. Research Topics

All Sport in Society Research Fellows and Young Scholars complete one research project, as agreed upon prior to research year, which advances sport and social change work.

Fellowship candidates have the option to propose a project directly related to needs already determined by Sport in Society or propose a more innovative topic related to the organization�s Core Values.

a. 2008-2009 Identified Research Topics

1. Urban Youth Sports Health Connection Evaluation

The Health Connection creates opportunities for urban youth ages 6-18 to become active while making the connection between physical activity and leading a healthy lifestyle. The key priorities of this project will be to:

� Design and implement an evaluation tool that will measure the outcomes and impact of the current Health Connection model

� Develop recommendations for the initiative based upon research findings.

2. Bystander approach in and through sport and social change

Sport in Society currently utilizes the bystander approach to prevention and education. The key priorities of this project will be to generate substantive expert research to examine the bystander approach in relationship to sport and social change. The objective of this project will be to support and expand Sport in Society�s current use of the bystander framework.

3. Research on men's violence against women in and through sport
What is the relationship between men�s violence against women and sport? Are athletes more violent towards women than the rest of society? Are women within sport often victim to certain types of abuse and, if so, why? Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) currently leverages sport as a platform to address these larger issues. For this particular project, Sport in Society seeks unique research proposals that delve deeply into the relationship between sport and men�s violence against women and will provide the Center with more substantive research expertise regarding this pertinent topic.

4. Research on trends in sports leadership

What is the relationship between sport and leadership development? Are athletes more likely to be life-long leaders beyond their participation in sport? How is �sports leadership� being developed in relation to �sports management?� Sport in Society�s initiatives and programs all involve the intersection between sport and leadership in multiple contexts. These include the Northeastern University Masters in Sports Leadership program, as well as Leaders Act � an advocacy campaign turned social networking and activism group. The key priorities for this project will be to delve into the relationship between sport and leadership education/potential both within sport itself and using sport as a vehicle to promote leadership.

b. Open Request for Proposals

Projects that do not directly relate to current Sport in Society programming:

� Will be innovative, action-oriented investigations that cultivate unexplored areas of inquiry.

� Will directly relate to Sport in Society�s Core Values:

- Social Justice
- Sport
- Healthy Development
- Education

� Are intended to advance the sport and social change movement.

� Will, if successful, generate ideas and recommendations for future SIS work, including:

- Direct Outreach
- Education
- Consultation
- Advocacy

V. Research Fellow Benefits

Sport in Society provides all Research Fellows with:

� Assistance and partnership on worthy endeavors, including research papers, grant proposals, project implementation, etc.
� A stipend of up to $1,000 contingent upon research role and needs
� Overall support from Sport in Society
� Collaboration and networking opportunities with Research Fellow network
� Sport in Society Apparel
� Use of Sport in Society Brand
� Use of Sport in Society resources and space dependent on need and availability (Fellows are not expected to work directly at Sport in Society)

V. How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming a Sport in Society Research Fellow in the future, please submit a proposal/statement of interest, resume/C.V., and any other materials to the attention of the Research Fellows Program. Both academic researchers and field practitioners are invited to apply for the Sport in Society Research Fellowship.
For more information, including detailed information regarding roles and expectations for accepted fellows, please contact Eli Wolff, Research Manager, at [email protected].

2007 - 2008 Research Fellows

For copies of research material or for general questions about Sport in Society's research department, please contact:

Eli A. Wolff, [email protected], 617-373-8936