In June 2014, Brazil will host the 20th Football World Cup. Since it takes place every four years, this planetary mega event is a valuable tool to gauge the assertion of national and local identities. It is also
a good opportunity for supporters to stir – or moderate – dissent, thus playing a buffer role between the national team and the political community. The ULB research group on sport is organising an international and interdisciplinary conference in Social Science to better understand the issues relating to “football fans and their support to national teams”. The question of “football fandom” has been the subject of numerous studies in Social Science, especially regarding topics such as the politicisation of football passions (Bromberger, 1995; Cano, 2001), identification (Smith, 2002; Giulianotti & Armstrong, 1997; Lestrelin, 2012), social integration or relation to violence (Alabarces, 2003; Dunning, 1982). However, most of these studies deal with football fandom through the prism of local teams, while issues raised by supporterism at a national level have been addressed only minimally.
These issues are nonetheless numerous: Who supports the national team? What relationships do they maintain with other groups of supporters (domestic or foreign)? How are their different levels of adherence and commitment articulated and prioritised? What are the time frames and areas of national supporterism? To what extent do they contribute to the consolidation of a national identity? Etc.
Moreover, the study of national supporterism in football opens the door for comparative studies and encourages disciplinary exchanges (history, sociology, anthropology, political science).
The ULB research center CEVIPOLwill hold an international conference on these topics.
Deadline for submission: November 15, 2013. The people having sent their proposal will be informed about the outcome of the selection process.
Working languages: English and French
Please send your proposal with the title of the presentation, a 1500-character (including spaces) summary, and a brief biographical statement to : jmdewael@ulb.ac.be
