Call for PhD Abstracts 5th WASM Conference Cape Town, South Africa 3 – 6 March 2026
This inaugural one-day WASM PhD Seminar is an important and integral part of the 2026 WASM Conference scheduled for 3-6 March 2026 at the Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa. The WASM PhD Student Seminar is scheduled for 3 March 2026, one day prior to the opening of the 2026 WASM Conference.
Doctoral students from the sport management domain and related fields are invited to submit abstract proposals to showcase their thesis research as part of the innovative and prestigious WASM Conference PhD Seminar. This unique opportunity will allow doctoral candidates worldwide to present their PhD research, enhance their research skills, and engage in collaborative problem- solving with peers and experts in the field. Another important element is the creation of networks that will hopefully encourage future joint research projects across nations and the establishment of fruitful social relations.
PhD students in the early and middle stages of their PhD research project are particularly encouraged to participate and present their research proposals, preliminary results, and reflections on issues related to theory, methods, and analysis. For students whose PhD dissertation is not planned as a monograph but as a series of articles on a common theme, the candidate can present a part of her/his work.
Submission guidelines
- Abstracts should be between 550-650 words and clearly outline the research problem, methodology, key findings (if available), and contribution to sport management.
- Abstracts must align with one of the thematic streams of the WASM Conference:
- Global Sport Management Teaching Excellence
- Sport Marketing & Consumer Behavior
- Sport Events & Tourism
- Sport Governance & Social Responsibility
- Innovation & Technology in Sport
- Strategy, Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Sport Finance & Economics
- All submissions should be submitted via the conference submission portal by 15 May 2025.
PhD Seminar Structure
The PhD Seminar will consist of two key components:
Research Methodology and Skills Development Workshop: Participants will partake in an interactive workshop focused on key aspects of research methodology, academic writing, and essential research skills. The session aims to strengthen methodological rigor, improve scholarly communication, and support the successful completion of doctoral research.
Practical Problem-Solving Challenge: PhD students will collaborate in teams to address a real- world problem related to sport management. Each team will develop and present their solution, showcasing their ability to apply research insights in a practical setting. The winning team will be awarded a prize in recognition of their innovative approach.
Application and Registration
This seminar is open to 20 International PhD students in total. We encourage PhD students to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to present their work, develop essential research skills, and engage in an intellectually stimulating environment.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a fee of US$200 for participating in the PhD Seminar, and registration and attendance at the 2026 WASM Conference is compulsory.
The application period will start on 1 March 2025 and close on 30 May 2025 (23:59 SAST). Click HERE to submit your application.
All attendees will receive a letter confirming their acceptance and will be requested to register for the seminar and the WASM Conference via the official conference booking system.
All attendees will receive a letter confirming their acceptance and will be requested to register for the seminar and the WASM Conference via the official conference booking system.
The deadline for early bird registration is 30 Aug 2025 and normal rate registration until 15 December 2025.
Please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Jaron Ras (CPUT email: RasJ@cput.ac.za), the Lead Coordinator of the WASM PhD Student Seminar, for any further information on the seminar.
