[Commlist] CFP - Sport Politics. Histories, Media, Identities

Call for papers
Sport Politics. Histories, Media, Identities
Sapienza University of Rome | 25-26 September 2025

Sport has always had a central role in constructing collective identity, 
defining cultural imaginaries, and influencing the political sphere. 
Despite a long-standing tradition of international studies, only 
recently has the study of sports history received increasing academic 
recognition. To date, many areas remain unexplored, particularly 
concerning the mediatization and impact of sport on contemporary 
society. Disciplines such as sociology, media studies, and communication 
sciences have largely focused on how sport is represented, disseminated, 
and employed as a tool for identity construction and political 
influence.The concept of mediasport highlights the increasingly 
inseparable interaction between sport and media in a context marked by 
globalization and the growing commercialization of sports disciplines. 
Historically, international sporting events have reinforced a sense of 
belonging, while the media have transformed sports into tools for 
storytelling and consensus-building. The phenomenon of sports-washing, 
for instance, illustrates how sport is used to rehabilitate the image of 
states and corporations, overshadowing controversial political and 
social issues. Upon closer inspection, these phenomena have seldom been 
considered from a historical perspective.The conference represents the 
high point of the larger research project "Sports Politics: Football, 
Media, and National Identity in Italy" (PRIN 2022). It aims to propose a 
comparative perspective, bringing international insights into the topic. 
In particular, we are interested in exploring the relationship between 
sport, media, and politics from historical, multidisciplinary, and 
transnational points of view. The dual goal is to cast new light on how 
the mediatization of sport has promoted and shaped processes of identity 
redefinition at global, national, and local levels, as well as to better 
understand the role of sport as a cultural and media phenomenon by 
examining its historical evolution and its social and political 
implications.

In light of this, we invite you to submit a proposal regarding these 
thematic areas (but not limited to):

Sports and cultural identities: the role of sport in constructing local 
and national identities;
Sports and globalization processes: the interaction between sport and 
broader global dynamics;
Sports, nationalism, and propaganda: the use of sports for political and 
ideological purposes;
Gender and sports: gendered representations of sports across different 
media and contexts;
Case studies on specific sporting events or disciplines: historical, 
sociological, and media analyses;
Sports in radio, cinema, and television: the representation of sport in 
audiovisual storytelling;
Sports and their audiences: narrative strategies, engagement, and 
consumption;
Sports-washing: sport as a soft power/nation branding asset.
Sports fans and the media: how fans utilize and criticize media for 
their identity;
Audiovisual broadcasting rights for sports events: political, 
institutional, and commercial implications.
Media professionals and sports: how the evolution of sports has affected 
media industries.

By intertwining sports history, media history, politics, and culture, 
the conference provides an opportunity to expand our understanding of 
how the dissemination and popular consumption of sports have 
historically influenced social dynamics and globally shaped local and 
national identities.Proposals, including a title, an abstract (maximum 
of 500 words), and a brief biography, must be submitted in English and 
sent to (sportandpol /at/ gmail.com) <mailto:(sportandpol /at/ gmail.com)> by May 15, 
2025. Notifications of acceptance will be sent by May 30, 2025. No fee 
is required to attend the conference.The conference will take place at 
Sapienza University of Rome, Department of History, Anthropology, 
Religions, Arts, and Performing Arts (via dei Volsci 122, Rome), on 
September 25-26, 2025.

Conference Convenors: Damiano Garofalo, Margherita Moro.
Organizing Committee: Silvia Campisano, Giulia Crisanti, Federica 
D’Urso, Gianluca Giampà, Livia Sisi.
Scientific Committee: Stefano Bellomo (Sapienza Università di Roma), 
Riccardo Brizzi (Università di Bologna), Mirco Carrattieri (Università 
di Bergamo), Corrado Del Bo’ (Università di Bergamo), Damiano Garofalo 
(Sapienza Università di Roma), Giulia Guazzaloca (Università di 
Bologna), Federico Mazzei (Università LUMSA di Roma), Margherita Moro 
(Sapienza Università di Roma), Jacopo Perazzoli (Università di Bergamo), 
Gemma Pizzoni (Università di Bergamo), Giovanna Russo (Università di 
Bologna), Nicola Sbetti (Università di Bologna), Lorenzo Venuti 
(Università di Bologna).

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