Sussex researcher awarded ESRC grant to study disease, injury and new medical treatments in elite sport
Dr Alex Faulkner of the Centre for Global Health Policy, School of Global Studies has been awarded an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) grant of £437,000 to undertake new research which will examine emerging links between molecular and cell-based approaches to disease, injury and medical treatments, and the world of elite sports. The research combines the disciplines of medical sociology, science & technology studies and applied ethics, and will be conducted in collaboration with Royal Holloway London and the University of Swansea.
Commencing in October 2013 and lasting for three years it will seek to answer the following questions:
How do high-profile, powerful sports communities influence the agendas of biomedicine, and how do the new techniques of diagnosis and treatment influence sports players, their clubs, associations and sports authorities?
What are the implications for sport as an industry and as cultural spectacle?
As ethical concerns about the spirit of sport and ‘human enhancement’ are raised what impact does this have on amateur sports players and wider society? ?
What are the long-term implications for future global health care?
The research will focus on musculoskeletal disease and injury, especially in the case of football (soccer) and cycling. These specific sports have been , chosen because of their very different organisations, contrasting funding regimes, and differing spectrums of injuries. Findings will be important for government policy making, both for bioscience enterprise and business and for culture, media and sports, for the development of sports science and medical education. Following last year’s London Olympics the research will also will be of interest to the wider public watching and participating in sport.
Further details can be obtained from Dr Faulkner: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ir/people/peoplelists/person/228199.
The Centre for Global Health Policy is an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to advancing the knowledge base for global health policy.
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