On 27-28 October 2026, the World Players Institute (WPI) will host its inaugural conference (WPI 2026) in partnership with Trinity College Dublin (TCD), bringing sport scholars and player associations together to facilitate the translation of research to impact both on and off the pitch.
As sport continues to grow—with longer seasons, ever-increasing revenues, expanding global reach— athletes remain underrepresented in decision-making processes. This power imbalance is most effectively addressed through collective bargaining, which depends on reliable data and rigorous research to strengthen athlete voice and ensure equitable outcomes.
While significant research on such key areas as economics, labour rights, and health and safety in sport already exists, WPI 2026 provides a unique platform for this evidence to create real impact. By fostering relationships between academia and player associations, this conference bridges the gap between theory and practice through co-created research and projects that directly support athlete welfare.
Call for papers
World Players Institute 2026 (WPI 2026) welcomes abstract and research proposal submissions which align with this year’s theme: ‘Where research takes the field: Informing decision making, bargaining, and practice in sport’.
The selection process will heavily favour presentations and proposals which have clear pathways for impact through collective bargaining, advocacy, and policy change. Submissions from postgraduate students, early-career researchers, and scholars from the Global South are welcomed and encouraged.
Priority Areas
Labour Rights in Sport
· Collective bargaining
· Freedom of association
· Working conditions
· Precarious work
· Gender equity
· Career progression for women players
· Exploitative power structures in world sport
· Yellow unions and athlete commissions
Health & Safety
· Brain health
· Mental health and holistic wellbeing
· Workload management
· Injury prevention
· Minimum medical standards
· Medical independence
· Workload
· Women’s health
· Heat and climate change
The Economics of Sport
· Revenue distribution and sharing
· Industry analysis
· Salary structures
· Competitive balance
· Economic exploitation
· Gender pay and historic investment gaps
World Players recognises the multi-, inter-, and even transdisciplinary nature of sport research, and submissions addressing multiple priority areas are welcome. The subcategories listed above are examples rather than an exhaustive list. However, all submissions must align with at least one of the three core areas: Labour Rights, Health and Safety, or Economics.
We encourage submissions from a wide range of disciplines including, but not limited to:
– Anthropology
– Economics
– Health Sciences
– History
– Labour/Industrial Relations
– Law
– Legal Studies
– Management and Business
– Political Science
– Psychology
– Sociology
– Sport Science
Submission Guidelines
– All submissions must be received by 31 May 2026
– Submissions and presentations must be in English
– There is no submission fee
Click here to visit the conference website for further information.
