Category Archives: Uncategorised

Legacy of Olympic Games (Mega Sport Events)

Mohammad Al Kayal
Mohammad Al Kayal

Doctoral Candidate 1 (DC 1) Name: Mohammad Al Kayal
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Mohammad Alkayal combines his passion for sports with a solid academic foundation, holding a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and English Literature. His journey in sports management is marked by a Master’s in Sport and Entertainment Management from a collaborative program between Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar, and South Carolina University.

His professional experiences include significant roles in event management at FIFA Qatar 2022 and contributions to the World Association for Sport Management Conference. Alkayal’s research, focused on sustainability in sports, reflects his deep commitment to ethical practices, notably in his studies on the Qatar Golf Masters and the sustainable impact of the FIFA World Cup on tourism.

As a PhD candidate in the DAiSI program, he is currently delving into the ‘Legacy of the Olympic Games,’ a subject that resonates with his avid interest in the enduring societal influence of major sports events. His research aims to conceptualize sports integrity and shape governance policies in the sports world. Alkayal’s dedication to sports extends beyond professional pursuits; it is a lifelong passion that drives his every endeavour.

Home University: JGU

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: KU Leuven
(2) Industrial Partner: IOC

Supervisors: Prof Dr Holger Preuss, JGU; Prof Dr Sophie De Winne, KUL; Prof Dr Thomas Koenecke, KUL

Project Description: Based on the relevant scientific and IOC frameworks, the impact and legacy of the Olympic Games will be evaluated through a data driven approach as a first step in an evaluation of the ethical justification of the long-term impacts for the host territory and population. Then, good governance, in particular accountability, and other policies changed due to Olympic Games will be investigated and analysed from an ethical perspective based on a newly developed model validly measuring legacies of good governance.

Crisis communication after ethical misconduct on social media

Maria Delgado
Maria Delgado
mexico

Doctoral Candidate 2 (DC 2) Name: Maria Delgado
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Maria Fernanda Delgado, or Mariffer, has a decade of experience in the sports industry having done volunteering in four Olympic Games. She is a marketing major and holds two master’s degrees from the International Olympic Academy and Seoul National University in sports and events management.

She has worked in social media and digital marketing for Panam Sports and the Mexican Football Federation, covering major sports events such as the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, the Cali-Valle 2021 Junior Pan American Games and the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Her areas of studies include Olympism as a brand, Olympic bidding procedures, Rule 50 and athletes’ freedom of expression, among others. She is a co-author to a basic guide to international sports administrators book with the International Sport Strategy Foundation in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Home University: JGU

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: NSSS
(2) Industrial Partner: IBU

Supervisors: Prof Dr Holger Preuß, JGU; Prof Dr Chris Horbel, NSSS

Project Description: The project will analyse which strategies that selected athletes, federations and other stakeholders use to communicate on social media after a crisis has been caused by an ethical misbehaviour (e.g., suspected doping, corruption, racism, discrimination etc.). Based on their statements on social media, it will be analysed which communication strategy (e.g., apologizing, justification, etc.) triggers which reactions among the followers. From both, the communication of the misbehaviour and the reactions of the fans, a model depicting certain behaviours and typical reactions is derived.

eSports integrity – ethics and governance

Aline Lopes da Silva Candeo
Aline Lopes da Silva Candeo
brazil


Doctoral Candidate 3 (DC 3) Name
: Aline Lopes da Silva Candeo
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Aline Lopes da Silva Candeo is a sports marketing and integrity specialist with extensive experience with managing consumer relationships, live marketing, and events. Leveraging a background in communications and advertising, Aline has worked in the public and private sector. Aline has actively engaged with governmental bodies to develop essential protocols involving diverse stakeholders. Her exceptional ability to foster meaningful stakeholder relationships is underscored by her collaborations with renowned brands such as Coca-Cola and Instagram.

Aline’s commitment to professional excellence led her to graduate summa cum laude from the Masters in Sports Ethics and Integrity (MAiSI) program in 2022. Her academic journey culminated in a thesis centered on the sustainable development of women’s football. Currently, Aline is a dedicated advocate and educator, driven by her primary goal of making sports integrity matters more accessible to a wider audience.

Home University: JGU

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: KU Leuven
(2) Industrial Partner: FIFA

Supervisors: Prof Dr Mathias Schubert, JGU; Prof Dr Thomas Koenecke, KUL

Project Description: The project will critically assess the current governance structures of eSports to lay the foundation for sport governing bodies to collaborate with relevant institutions in the eSports ecosystem. It will also define a strategy how sport governing bodies can include eSports competitions into current/future competition formats and analyse the main integrity-related issues of eSports (e.g., performance-enhancement, match-fixing and technological fraud). Finally, it will identify existing and further required regulatory powers and instruments to address these issues in mutual cooperation between sport governing bodies and eSports institutions.

The legal dimension of labour market integrity in sport (football)

Sahra Simay Günalp
Sahra Simay Günalp
turkey

Doctoral Candidate 4 (DC 4) Name: Sahra Simay Günalp
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Sahra Simay Günalp completed her LL.B. at Istanbul Kadir Has University in 2016. She acquired her license to practice law in 2018 and subsequently served as a legal counsel at an Istanbul-based law firm for over three years. During this time, she advised and consulted international companies, Turkey-based sports clubs, and individuals, including athletes. Sahra represented athletes and sports clubs before national and international sports governing bodies, as well as the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In 2022, she pursued her second LL.M. in International Business Law with a Sports Law specialization at the University of Lausanne in order to complement her legal expertise. During her second LL.M., Sahra completed an internship at a Geneva-based NGO specializing in sport integrity issues related to the migration of youth pursuing careers in sports. Subsequently, she worked at a Swiss-based company as a Contract Administrator. In 2023, she submitted a thesis entitled ‘A Critical Examination of FIFA RSTP Article 19(2)(b) in Safeguarding Minors in Football within the Context of European Union Law and Human Rights.’

In 2024, Sahra Simay commenced her role as a PhD Researcher at the Institute for Labour Law at KU Leuven, as part of the interdisciplinary group iCERIS and DAiSI. Her research focuses on the legal dimension of labour market integrity in football, aiming to clarify the main characteristics and legal principles governing the labor market of football players and their clubs. The governance will be explored in the context of both public regulations, such as labour and employment laws and EU Law, as well as football-specific regulations, including those set forth by FIFA. Suggestions and guidelines will be formulated to enhance the integrity of the labour market in professional football, addressing public policy considerations, including EU Law. This will involve promoting compliance, sustainability and recognizing the specific characteristic of football.

In 2018, she pursued an LL.M. in Human Rights Law at Istanbul Bilgi University. As part of an exchange program, she studied for a year at the University of Bern. In 2022, Sahra submitted a thesis entitled ‘Evaluation of Gender-Based Eligibility Rules for Competing in the Women’s Category in Elite Sports in the Light of International Court Decisions.’

Home University: KU Leuven

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: NSSS
(2) Industrial Partner: FIFA

Supervisors: Prof Dr Frank Hendrickx, KUL; Prof Dr Sigmund Loland, NSSS, Prof Dr Camilla Knight, SWAN

Project Description: To determine how employment laws (public regulation) and football law (private regulation) can/do coexist; to advance a regulatory model which respects the specificity of the football labour market, fairness and integrity, including compliance (the rule of law).

Patterns and actors of match-fixing and the challenges of its control

Emil Maximilian Freiherr von Werthern
Emil Maximilian Freiherr von Werthern
germany

Doctoral Candidate 5 (DC 5) Name: Emil Maximilian Freiherr von Werthern
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Emil von Werthern is the Doctoral Candidate for the project “Patterns and Actors of Match-Fixing and the Challenges of its Control” at KU Leuven, Belgium and Johannes Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany. He will work in close cooperation with UNODC to tackle current threats to the integrity of sport and the involvement of organized crime in match-fixing and corruption in sport. The research aims for a comparison of measures between different confederations and nationalities in a few selected sports and addresses both, sport-related and betting-related match-fixing.

Emil did his Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Sports Science and his Master of Science in International Sports Management at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. His master’s thesis addresses the strategic implementation of sustainability strategies at major sport events by the example of the EURO 2024.
He can draw on four years of experience in the sports sector as he already worked for 1. FSV Mainz 05 and the EURO 2024 GmbH, helping to organize the European Football Championship 2024 in Germany.

The objective of this PhD research project is to develop evidence-based policy recommendations for governmental and sport ruling bodies, to help them better understand the nature of match-fixing in its forms, extent, and prevalence, to tackle match-fixing more effectively in the future.

Home University: KU Leuven

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: JGU
(2) Industrial Partner: UNODC

Supervisors: Prof Dr Letizia Paoli, KUL; Prof Dr Holger Preuss, JGU

Project Description: The project objectives are threefold: (1) identify patterns and actors of match-fixing and other forms of corruption in sport with a particular focus on organised crime; (2) specifically analyse patterns and actors of match-fixing and other forms of corruption in sport in two selected European countries (likely Italy and Belgium) based on criminal proceedings and interviews with police and prosecutors; (3) assess processes, outcomes and challenges of government policies to control match-fixing in a selected number of countries (through expert interviews).

Measuring ethics and integrity in sport organisations

Andres Meneses
Andres Meneses
ecuador

Doctoral Candidate 6 (DC 6) Name: Andres Meneses
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Andrés is passionate about human behavior. His curiosity drives him to explore and dive into various topics to understand why people act the way they do. He completed his BSc in Economics at USFQ and his MSc in Economics and Business Administration at NHH and the University of St. Gallen. During this time, he specialized in big data, policy analysis, behavioral economics, and econometrics.

In terms of professional experience, he worked for three years as an analyst and two years as an independent consultant. During the first three years, he provided strategy and investment advice to companies from different industries. After this first stint, he became an independent consultant focused on providing policy recommendations with an ethical component. He worked with government agencies and non-profit organizations to shed light on critical social challenges.

Currently, Andrés is a doctoral candidate at DAiSI. His research focuses on how to measure and manage ethical and integer behavior in sports organizations. This topic aims to provide managerial and policy recommendations to improve the well-being of all the actors surrounding the world of sports. He is based at KU Leuven in Belgium under the supervision of Prof Dr Thomas Könecke (KUL) and Prof Dr Chris Horbel (NIH).

Home University: KU Leuven

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: NSSS
(2) Industrial Partner: AIU

Supervisors: Prof Dr Thomas Könecke, KUL; Prof Dr Chris Horbel, NSSS

Project Description: The project seeks to develop standardised/standardisable academically and empirically grounded systems for managing, i.e. measuring and controlling, ethically desired and integer behaviour in sport organisations. These systems will be adaptable to different organisations types (e.g., sizes, purposes) and different aspects of ethical behaviour (e.g., protection of athlete rights, fighting unwanted behaviour). The project will draw from the insights won in the other projects of this DN and from own original research. The developed systems will be a major factor in implementing the scientific outcomes of the DN into organisational practice.

Ethical dimensions of data collection and AI in sports

Niko Vuorinen
Niko Vuorinen
finland

Doctoral Candidate 7 (DC 7) Name: Niko Vuorinen
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Niko is an AI enthusiast holding a master’s degree in theoretical philosophy from the University of Helsinki with a specialization in metaphysics and philosophy of science. Additionally, he studied mathematics in the University of Eastern Finland.

He has a strong practical background in professional sports with a lengthy career as a professional epee fencer for Finland. Athlete advocacy and ethical issues are important to him, and he volunteers in several sport-related associations and commissions.

Home University: NSSS

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: KU Leuven
(2) Industrial Partner: IOC

Supervisors: Prof Dr Sigmund Loland, NSSS; Prof Dr Pascal Borry, KUL

Project Description: The project will describe and analyse the range of rights and duties, both ethical and legal, of employers and athletes in relation to the use of athletes and players data captured via information and communication technologies to monitor health and performance date. It will focus on the use on artificial intelligence and machine learning protocols used to manipulate data with particular reference to unintended biases within the algorithms or processes. It will also identify good practice over and above minimal legal duties.

Local anchoring of safe sport policies for transnational sport development

Kadija Richards
Kadija Richards
jamaica

Doctoral Candidate 8 (DC 8) Name: Kadija Richards
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Kadija Richards is a Sport Integrity Consultant, specializing in non-doping integrity concerns such as age manipulation, athlete trafficking, and safeguarding, most recently working as an Analyst and Investigator at the Athletics Integrity Unit.

A Performance Enhancement Consultant by profession, Kadija has worked with numerous national sports federations, national teams, and international athletes in her home country of Jamaica, and was awarded the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Jamaica for her work in sport psychology.

Kadija has also lectured on Sport Psychology and Sports Governance at several universities including the University of West Indies, the University of Technology – Jamaica, KU Leuven (MAiSI), and the International University of Monaco.

Kadija was in the first cohort of the Erasmus Masters in Sports Ethics and Integrity (MAiSI), graduating with distinction in 2019. She also has a Masters in Sports Studies from Miami University, where she was a top-flight varsity and internationally-ranked tennis player.

Home University: NSSS

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: KU Leuven/SWAN
(2) Industrial Partner: IOC

Supervisors: Prof Dr Åse Strandbu, NSSS, Prof Dr Mike McNamee, KUL; Prof Dr Camilla Knight, SWAN

Project Description: Identify how transnational sport for development partnerships can facilitate and strengthen policies to prevent sexual harassment and abuse in sports.

The erosion of sport autonomy and its impact on traditional models of sport

Viktoriia Smirnova
Viktoriia Smirnova
russia

Doctoral Candidate 9 (DC 9) name: Viktoriia Smirnova
Email Address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Viktoriia Smirnova is the Doctoral Candidate for DC9 titled “The erosion of sport autonomy and its impact on traditional models of sport”. Viktoriia’s areas of interest and engagement include sport governance, diplomacy, international relations, and socio-legal studies. She holds an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Sports Ethics and Integrity and a Bachelor’s degree in Trade Business from Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.

Prior to embarking on her doctoral journey, Viktoriia has amassed professional experience through her role as a research intern at the Biathlon Integrity Unit in Austria, where she provided research assistance in relation to the upcoming inclusion policy. Her dedication to the field extends to her role as a Young Sports Maker at the Global Sports Week in Paris.

Beyond her scholarly pursuits, Viktoriia volunteered within the European Solidarity Corps in Spain, the FIFA World Cup in Russia, the European Universities Games in Poland. Viktoriia has a transnational background; she has lived and studied in six countries. Additionally, she completed 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training by Yoga Alliance in India.

Home University: JGU

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: KU Leuven
(2) Industrial Partner: EOC EU office

Supervisors: Prof Dr Mathias Schubert, JGU; Prof Dr Frank Hendrickx; Prof Dr Thomas Koenecke, KUL

Project Description: The project critically assess developments (2000-25) that affect sport’s autonomy and traditional models of sport organisation and governance. It will identify the stakeholders involved in these processes, critically explore how sport governing bodies have tried to respond to these developments by means of regulation and policy. Finally, it will develop recommendations how sport governing bodies could better develop autonomy-preserving strategies.

Sport provision and public health ethics in an era of pandemics

Giulia Sesa
Giulia Sesa
italy

Doctoral Candidate 10 (DC 10) Name: Giulia Sesa
Email address: [email protected]

Personal Information: Giulia is a public health graduate, with a passion for healthy lifestyles, sports, public health measures, public health ethics, and health communication.

Giulia completed a bachelor’s degree in European Public Health from Maastricht University and a master’s in Management, Policy Analysis, and Entrepreneurship in Health and Life Sciences from Vrije University Amsterdam, with an International Public Health specialization. She is currently conducting a PhD on the topic of Sport Provision and Public Health Ethics. This is a joint PhD between KU Leuven and the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences under the supervision of Professors Pascal Borry and Sigmund Loland. Via this project Giulia will identify and evaluate the ethics of imposing restrictions on sport activities in order to promote individual wellbeing and safeguard public health.

Giulia has worked as a researcher in diverse institutes and organizations, including the Polish National Institute of Public Health. To date, the majority of Giulia’s research work has focused on societal compliance with COVID-19 public health measures, health psychology, and communication, as well as on the ethical issues surrounding the imposition of public health measures.

Home University: KU Leuven

Planned Secondments:
(1) Host University: NSSS
(2) Industrial Partner: (TBA)

Supervisors: Prof Dr Pascal Borry, KUL; Prof Dr Sigmund Loland, NSSS

Project Description: The project will identify and evaluate the ethics of imposing restrictions on sports activities in order to promote individual wellbeing and prevent the spread of the disease and safeguard public health. The DC in this project will (1) identify citizen’s rights to engage in sport; (2) identify duties of public authorities in relation to such provision; (3) develop a framework to balance public health objectives and individual well-being concerns; (4) critically evaluate recent guidelines and approaches of federations and regulatory agencies.