Call for Papers | Research Handbook on Sport in North America | Call ends March 3, 2025

The Research Handbook on Sport in North America aspires to serve as a seminal academic resource, extensively examining the cultural, historical, social, and economic dimensions of sports. This handbook will address topics through multiple thematic sections, engaging with foundational issues and emerging trends that influence the sporting landscape. We encourage scholars, researchers, and practitioners to submit original chapters investigating diverse sports aspects in North America.

Handbook themes

The handbook will feature five main sections:

• • Introduction and Historical Context: These foundational chapters explore pre-colonial and Indigenous sporting practices, the development of professional leagues, and sport’s role in shaping societal structures and challenging colonial practices.
  • Research on College Sports: Critical analyses of American and Canadian collegiate sports, focusing on themes such as athlete compensation, gender equity, and economic impact.
  • Major Sports and Leagues: In-depth examinations of professional sports organizations, focusing on the “Big Four” leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB), as well as emerging and regional sports like Major League Soccer and rodeo.
  • Cross-cutting Themes and Issues: Chapters address issues such as gender equity, race, disability, media representation, and economic inequality within sports.
  • Conclusion and Future Directions: Reflections on key findings and emerging topics, including climate change, digital technology, and social justice movements.

Call for contributions

We are seeking contributions that align with the handbook’s themes and subtopics. Each submission should be original works that are grounded in rigorous research, with a clear analytical framework that situates the study within the broader academic discourse on sport in North America. Contributions from various disciplines—such as sociology, history, economics, and media studies—are welcome, and interdisciplinary approaches are highly encouraged.

Chapter Topics of Interest

• Potential topics may include, but are not limited to:
• • The impact of Title IX on women’s sports and ongoing gender equity efforts.
  • Decolonial approaches to sport and Indigenous sporting practices.
  • The economic and cultural significance of the NCAA and reforms in collegiate athletics.
  • Media portrayals of athletes of color and the role of athletes in racial justice movements.
  • Player safety and mental wellness issues across professional leagues.
  • The intersection of technology, performance psychology, and athletic activism.

Submission guidelines

• • Abstract Submission: Interested contributors should submit an abstract of 300-500 words outlining their proposed chapter, including the research question, theoretical framework, and key findings (if applicable).
  • Full Chapter Submission: Accepted contributors will be expected to submit chapters of 8,000-10,000 words, including references and appendices.

Timeline

• • Deadline for Abstracts: March 3, 2025
  • Notification of Acceptance: May 30, 2025
  • Full Chapter Submission Deadline: June 1, 2026
  • Anticipated Publication: 2027

Submission process

Abstracts should be submitted to hjbilly@uh.edu. For questions or further information, please contact one of the co-editors listed below using the subject line:Research Handbook on Sport in North America.

Editors

• • Billy Hawkins, Ph.D., hjbilly@uh.edu
  • Janelle Joseph, Ph.D., janelle.joseph@brocku.ca
  • Joseph N. Cooper, Ph.D., JosephN.Cooper@umb.edu
  • Marta Mack, Ph.D., Marta.N.Mack@uky.edu