Brock has ranked first in Canada for university sport management research contributions around the world for the second consecutive year.

The annual assessment by the University of North Texas’ Sports Innovation Project ranked Brock No. 1 in Canada and 10th worldwide out of the 67 universities included.

Universities are evaluated on the number of research publications their faculty members have produced over the past decade in three of the world’s flagship sport management journals: Journal of Sport Management, published by the North American Society of Sport Management; European Sport Management Quarterly, published by the European Association for Sport Management; and Sport Management Review, published by the Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand.

Scholars in Brock’s Department of Sport Management (SPMA) produced 58 research publications within the three prominent journals. Top contributors include Shannon Kerwin, Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director for the Department of Sport Management, who was recently awarded the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Research Excellence Award, and Michael Naraine, Associate Professor of Sport Management. Both climbed the rankings and placed within its Top 50 authors this year.

Naraine says Brock’s ranking reflects SPMA’s high-quality research program, which has been built collectively by all its exceptional faculty members.

“There are several Brock SPMA professors who are included on the rankings list, and who continue to pursue innovative research that aligns with current and emerging trends,” he says. “The quality and quantity of research within the department continues to grow.”

The wide variety of research topics being produced by SPMA faculty include digital marketing, enhanced governance practices in sport, improved systems of people and culture, and impactful findings related to issues that address equity, diversity and inclusion across various sport sectors.

Research findings are often incorporated into faculty’s teaching, so students learn relevant and timely knowledge they can immediately apply to their careers in sport management, says Peter Tiidus, Dean for the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

“Brock’s SPMA program is the largest in the country, no doubt in part thanks to our research-focused faculty who prioritize knowledge mobilization — sharing their findings with students, industry and community,” he says. “This along with Brock’s world rankings for sports-related subjects and the University’s focus on experiential education opportunities is what sets Brock’s SPMA program apart.”

SPMA students not only benefit from learning about industry-focused research from leading educators and researchers, but they can also apply their knowledge and skills with local and national sport organizations through experiential education opportunities, such as field courses centred around major sporting events including the 2023 Grey Cup and the upcoming World Rowing Championships.

“If students want practical experiences led by professors performing cutting-edge research, Brock’s Sport Management program is the clear choice,” says Naraine.

More information on the rankings can be found on the Sports Innovation Project website. Visit Brock’s Sport Management website to learn more about the department’s research and undergraduate and graduate programming.