Mission
The objectives of the Danish Institute for Sports Studies are
- to establish a general overview of and insight into academic and other forms of research within the field of sports nationally as well as internationally
- to analyse the implications and perspectives of policy initiatives within the field of sports
- to initiate public debate on key issues in Danish and international sports politics
- to organise the international Play the Game conference at suitable intervals for a target group of Danish and international journalists, academic researchers and sports officials to address current issues in sports politics
- to strengthen the ethical foundations of sport and work to improve democracy, transparency and freedom of speech in international sports through the Play the Game conference and other activities
Vision
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies aims to contribute to a comprehensive and nuanced debate at a political level about the development of sport and the formulation of sports strategies.
To meet this objective, the institute should
- raise awareness and create insights into the links between sports, culture, health and society at a local, national and international level and thereby contribute to building a comprehensive understanding of sport
- raise questions in the sports political debate and encourage a free, independent, transparent and fair debate on the affairs of sport and its development locally, nationally and internationally
- create an overview of and provide perspectives on current research on sports as well as debates about sports politics nationally and internationally and assess the implications of sports political initiatives;
- undertake research, write reports and do evaluations of issues of importance for the development of sport
- communicate insights and knowledge to the public in an accessible and relevant manner that gives journalists, academic researchers and decision-makers inspiration and tools to work with cultural, social and economic aspects of sport
- create networks and partnerships across national borders and professional boundaries to facilitate debates on the challenges that arise from a globalised sport and media world
Values
The work at the institute will be based on
Independence: The work of the institute must not be influenced by political considerations or interest groups. This is the only way to ensure that the work of the institute will be credible and above reproach.
Professionalism: The work of the institute must be based on high standards of academic excellence combined with the ability to communicate well. That is the only way to ensure the necessary degree of fairness.
Relevance: The work of the institute must be of importance to key actors in sport and sports development. That is the only way to ensure that the work of the institute is topical and dynamic.
Impact: The institute must be capable of presenting the findings of its work to the public in accessible and interesting ways. That is the only way to ensure that the institute can have an impact on the sports political agenda.
Tasks
The work of the institute must be based on high quality journalism or research within the social sciences but when relevant it can also draw on research from other forms of science (humanistic studies, medical and natural sciences). The institute will have the opportunity to use both interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary approaches.
The institute must be capable of summing up, processing and communicating current and relevant Danish and international research, and at short notice undertaking impact analyses of current ideas and initiatives in the area of sports politics. At the same time, the institute must have the capacity to undertake its own research projects, investigations and evaluations - either on its own initiative or as part of commissioned work.
At suitable intervals - currently thought to be every second year - the institute will host the international Play the Game conference for a Danish and international target group of journalists, academic researchers and sports officials. The programme should address a number of current sports political issues. The international Play the Game conference can be supplemented with conferences, seminars and course activities at regional, national or local levels.
The institute should strive for close dialogue and cooperation with actors within sport, relevant public institutions, university degree programmes within sport and other relevant research institutions.
Structure
The Danish Institute for Sports Studies is an independent research centre set up by the Danish Ministry of Culture.
The Danish Institute for Sport Studies is directed by a board that consists of seven members. The Minister of Culture appoints the chairman, the deputy chairman and five other members to have overall responsibility for the institute and its activities. As part of the process of appointing board members, the Minister ensures that the board represents the values expressed in the institute's objectives and that its members collectively have competencies in the areas of Danish and international sports politics, media and sports research.
The board and the director cooperate on developing a multi-annual plan of action for the institute. The action plan should identify relevant target areas for the activities of the institute.
Based on recommendations from the administration, the board will appoint a Programme Committee for the international Play the Game conference consisting of at least seven Danish and international experts. The role of the Programme Committee is to give advice on conference themes and speakers. The Programme Committee is also responsible for evaluating the conference.
To ensure a balance between continuity and variation in the conference programme, some members of the Programme Committee will be replaced after each conference.
Funding
The Danish Ministry of Culture provides the institute with a basic grant. The grant should cover research and analysis projects identified in the plan of action for the institute. The grant should also cover the basic costs of running the institute, such as rent, administration, information and documentation, updating and processing national and international research, communication, conference secretariat, etc.
In addition, the institute can procure income from commissioned work and other forms of revenue-funded activities.
