Denis Ivanov
Hosting mega-events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics often leads to increased wealth inequality. Denis Ivanov and Gaygysyz Ashyrov show that these events disproportionately benefit the wealthy, exacerbating the gap between rich and poor Read more
Frowin Rausis
Qatar is basking in the global spotlight as host of the 2022 World Cup. Less prominently, it is the latest country to introduce an asylum law. Frowin Rausis argues that Qatar’s new-found status as a global host, of football and of asylum seekers, serves to showcase the country, and boost its global reputation Read more
Thomas Bunting
Inspired by Jean-Paul Gagnon’s call to build a data mountain on different democratic forms, Thomas Bunting emphasises the need to theorise sport as a crucial space for democratic spectatorship and action. He uses the Qatar World Cup as an example of how major sporting events can generate democratic insights and protest Read more
Daniel Auer
Back in 2018, Daniel Auer and Didier Ruedin were conducting a research experiment on prejudice in the Swiss housing market. That same summer, a footballer at the FIFA World Cup made a controversial gesture that got the nation talking. After he did so, our researchers observed a significant drop in ethnic discrimination. Were the two phenomena connected? Read more
The Loop
Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.