Obrisani Korisnik — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:53:39 GMT

2nd International Scientific Conference

Beyond the Game: Women, Sport, and Social Changes

Zagreb, Croatia | December 17–19, 2026
Organizers: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar & University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to the 2nd International Scientific Conference Beyond the Game: Women, Sport, and Social Changes, to be held in Zagreb, Croatia, from 17–19 December 2026.

Sport is a powerful social arena — a place in which social relations are both reproduced and transformed. Despite significant progress in women's participation in sport, gender inequalities persist across domains such as power, governance, media representation, economic resources, and career opportunities.

This conference aims to foster interdisciplinary, critical dialogue on gender and sport in contemporary societies, linking historical perspectives with present-day challenges. Special emphasis is placed on understanding social change, as well as identifying structural constraints and transformative possibilities within the field of sport.

The conference will bring together scholars from across the social sciences and humanities to exchange theoretical and empirical insights and strengthen international collaboration.

Keynote Speakers

Mariann Vaczi (University of Nevada, Reno, USA)
Leanne Norman (Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, UK)

Topics Include

History and development of sport
Women in sport through history
Gender inequality in sport
Gender, participation, and sport
Youth sport
Gender-based violence in sport
LGBTIQ+ experiences
Gender and parasport
Discrimination and harassment
Economic inequalities
Governance, coaching, officiating
Social class and sport participation
Athletic careers
Sport, economy, and marketing
Organization of sport
Media and sport
Women in sports media
Politics, nation, and power
Race and ethnicity
Gender and ideology
Sport and education
Sport and religion
Health and sport
Other gender-related topics in sport

Submission Guidelines

Deadline: 15 October 2026
Length of abstract: up to 250 words
Languages: Croatian and/or English
Submission e-mail: sport.sociology.conference@kif.unizg.hr

Submissions may include individual papers and panel sessions (panel abstract up to 150 words + 3–4 papers). Authors may submit up to two papers. Notification of acceptance: 1 November 2026.

All abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings. A peer-reviewed edited volume is planned after the conference.

Venue

17–18 December: Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar (Trg Marka Marulića 19, Zagreb)
19 December: University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology (Horvaćanski zavoj 15, Zagreb)

Registration Fee

The registration fee includes access to all lectures and parallel sessions, opening ceremony, closing dinner, lunches, coffee breaks, and social programme.

€150 — regular participants
€75 — students and retirees

We look forward to receiving your abstracts!

On behalf of the Organizing Committee,
Sunčica Bartoluci & Marko Mustapić