The Centre for Culture, Sport and Events at the University of the West of Scotland is pleased to announce our next FREE ONLINE SEMINAR, which will take place on the 4th of November at 2pm UK time. The theme for this seminar is “Beyond Access: Rethinking Accessibility at Major Sport Events”, featuring Sophie Fusco McKeown and Dr Liz Carlin. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beyond-access-rethinking-accessibility-at-major-sport-events-tickets-2003972884844?aff=oddtdtcreator
Speakers
Sophie Fusco McKeown is a major event professional specialising in accessibility, front-of-house operations and volunteer management. She has worked across a range of global major sport events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cups, Commonwealth Games and Women’s Rugby World Cup. Most recently, Sophie was Accessibility Manager for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Drawing on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as a case study, Sophie will explore the practical realities of planning and delivering accessibility at a major sport event. The presentation will reflect on what worked well at Glasgow 2026, including the integration of lived experience throughout planning, accessibility-focused venue design and mitigation, and the use of dedicated accessibility managers across venues. It will also consider some of the challenges encountered, including time, staffing and resources, as well as the importance of leadership and governance in embedding accessibility across an event.
Building on her wider experience across global major sport events, Sophie will compare approaches to accessibility across the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA events and other international sporting events. The presentation will consider issues including ticketing, transport and last-mile journeys, venue design, audio description and other access enhancements, spectator communications, contractor and workforce training, and the accessibility of sponsor and commercial activations. Sophie will also reflect on why accessibility can still become an afterthought within major event planning and the importance of embedding accessibility across event operations, budgets, procurement and decision-making from the outset.
Dr Liz Carlin is a lecturer in Sport Coaching & Development at the University of the West of Scotland and has an expertise in inclusion and diversity. Her work focuses on adapted and inclusive sport and physical activity for a range of population groups including people living with dementia and people with a disability.
Liz will explore accessibility and inclusion through the GAPS programme and the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Drawing on the newly released GAPS documentary, the presentation will consider the experiences of athletes and the role of inclusive and accessible environments in supporting participation in sport.
Liz will also draw on the Glasgow 2026 impact evaluation, examining accessibility in relation to the Games’ Inclusive driver and wider story of change. This will include a focus on venue accessibility and spectator and athlete experiences, reflecting on what the evidence from Glasgow 2026 can tell us about accessibility and inclusion and the lessons that can be taken forward into future major sport events.
Sandro Carnicelli
Professor of Tourism and Leisure Studies
Co-Director – Centre for Culture, Sport and Events
School of Business and Creative Industries
High Street, Paisley, PA12BE
Email: sandro.carnicelli@uws.ac.uk
