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PODCAST

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events"

Centre for Events & Festivals

CEF’s podcast ‘InsideEvents’ invites inspiring people and thought leaders to talk about hot topics; cutting-edge research and science; share stories of success and failure; and interrogate some of the pressing issues and biggest challenges we face across the event and festival industry.

science social sciences

All Episodes

00:28:23

ATMOSPHERE IS A SOCIAL CONTRACT: WHY ORGANISERS,...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

An electric event atmosphere can’t be manufactured—it emerges organically from rituals, participation, and shared emotion. Yet too often, organisers mistake spectacle for atmosphere, investing in grand visuals and pyrotechnics while overlooking what truly makes events memorable and meaningful. In this episode, we unpack why fans are not passive consumers but co-creators of atmosphere before, during, and long after an event ends. From fan traditions and local culture to inclusive design

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00:16:22

THE OTHER WORLD CUP: WHERE DISPUTED NATIONS FIGHT FOR...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

For millions living in unrecognised or contested regions, football offers more than sport—it’s a powerful tool to assert identity, belonging, and visibility beyond the boundaries of statehood. In this episode of Inside Events, we explore the role of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA), which provides vital platforms for communities excluded from mainstream global sporting systems like FIFA. Despite claims of neutrality, these tournaments are inherently political,

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00:50:23

DRIVING REAL SOCIAL IMPACT BY CO-CREATING A THEORY OF...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

Despite growing expectations for events to deliver lasting legacies, most organisers still rely on economic metrics while overlooking the harder-to-measure social outcomes that matter most to communities. In this episode, we explore how Flanders is pioneering a more evidence-based, co-created approach to embedding social impact into event planning from the outset. By using Theory of Change models and adapting proven tools from other policy sectors, Flanders is redefining how events plan, measure,

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00:27:41

THE SUSTAINABILITY “SIGNALS” EVENT SPECTATORS...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

Sustainability has become a central promise of many events, yet new research reveals that spectators often overlook or misinterpret organisers’ efforts. Audiences tend to recognise only the most visible, environmental signals—like recycling bins or renewable energy use—while social and economic impacts often go unnoticed. What counts as a meaningful sustainability initiative also depends heavily on local context; what resonates with one community may feel routine or irrelevant in another. Adding to

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00:29:44

Authenticity Over Spectacle: Why the Island Games Matter

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

The Island Games tell a remarkable story of community, identity, and resilience in global sport. In this episode, Dr. Michael Duignan speaks with Dr. Matt McDowell to explore how this unique multi-sport competition, founded in 1985 on the Isle of Man, has grown from a local tourism initiative into a complex international event involving more than 20 island communities. We trace the Games’ origins, their cultural and political significance, and the tensions between grassroots ethos and the demands

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00:35:22

HOW TO MAKE EVENTS CATALYSTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE:...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

Too many events promise social impact but fail to plan, measure, or deliver it in meaningful ways. In this episode, we explore what it truly takes to create lasting event legacies that go beyond short-term economic gains. The conversation focuses on shifting ownership to local communities, investing in outcomes that people genuinely care about, and rethinking how we define success. Rather than focusing solely on GDP boosts or tourist numbers, wellbeingshould sit at the heart of legacy planning. We

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00:46:29

THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND ESPORTS: HOPELESS MARRIAGE OR...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

Esports has exploded into a $2 billion global industry, attracting over 500 million spectators worldwide and offering the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unprecedented opportunities to connect with younger, digitally native audiences. Yet the integration of esports into the Olympic Games remains complex and contested. Unlike traditional sports, esports titles are privately owned, meaning game publishers control competition access, formats, and rights—creating major legal, cultural, and

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00:23:16

From Scandal to Reform: Is FIFA Changing?

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar wasn’t just about football—it became a global lightning rod for debates on corruption, governance, and ethics in sport. In this episode, Dr. Michael Duignan speaks with Dr. Christina Philippou, whose research examines FIFA’s governance reforms and whether scandals can spark meaningful change. Together, they unpack the complex story behind Qatar’s controversial bid, the bribery allegations that reshaped FIFA’s leadership, and the compliance reforms that

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00:19:07

DESIGNING HUMAN-CENTERED SPORT EVENTS TO ENRICH...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

In this episode, Dr. Michael Duignan speaks with Mark Briegal, Chair of Archery GB, to explore how archery events go far beyond competition to deliver powerful benefits for health, wellbeing, and community connection. Archery GB’s mission, “Enriching Lives Through Archery”, shapes how the sport creates inclusive spaces where everyone—from beginners to Olympians—can thrive. Mark shares stories of mental and physical transformation, from para-athletes rebuilding confidence to neurodiverse individuals

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00:37:36

The Science of Crowds: Decoding Human Movement at Scale

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

In this episode, Dr. Michael Duignan speaks with Dr. Bachar “Bash” Kabalan, an expert in crowd dynamics, to unpack the science behind how people move, interact, and sometimes collide in mass gatherings. From music festivals and sports stadiums to religious pilgrimages and city fan zones, understanding crowd behavior is vital not just for safety but for designing better event experiences. Bash explains the principles that govern crowd flows, debunks common myths around “stampedes,” and explores

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00:16:40

Rebranding a Nation: Lessons from South Africa’s 2010...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/08/25

In this episode, Dr. Michael Duignan speaks with Dr. Brendan Knott to unpack the transformative power of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in reshaping South Africa’s global image. Once viewed with skepticism, South Africa leveraged the tournament to project a new narrative of pride, unity, and capability on the world stage. Brendan shares insights from his extensive research, exploring how strategic branding, media management, stakeholder alignment, and community mobilisation helped the nation harness the

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00:28:09

How Events Can Make Better Decisions Under Risk and...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Claire Drakeley from the University of Northampton, whose work is reshaping how we understand decision-making in live event delivery. Drawing on her extensive industry experience and doctoral research, Claire explores the psychology and complexity behind real-time decisions made under pressure—where outcomes can impact safety, reputation, and the very fabric of the event industry. Rather than relying on instinct or experience alone, Claire is developing a new

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00:42:11

Mega Sports Events Get Millions, Cultural Festivals...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

Why do the events that truly change lives, foster inclusion, and rebuild divided communities struggle hardest to survive? From the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to Derry’s City of Culture, cultural festivals have delivered powerful legacies—driving regeneration, strengthening social bonds, and projecting national values globally. Yet, while these festivals scramble for basic funding, governments continue to pour billions into mega sporting events with questionable long-term benefits. In this powerful

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00:28:44

Why Academics In Events and Festivals Must Step Out...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

The global events and festivals sector shapes public space, cultural identity, and social change—but academic voices often remain unheard outside university walls. In this candid discussion, George Bradley, media strategist for the Centre for Events & Festivals, explains why that needs to change. He argues that academics are trusted experts the public and media want to hear from—yet many hesitate to engage, unsure how to translate dense research into accessible, impactful narratives. Drawing on

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00:24:57

When Cities Fight Back: Why Communities Are Resisting...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

Resistance to mega-events is no longer fringe — it is an organised, global movement reshaping how cities engage with the Olympic Games. Based on extensive research across ten Olympic cycles, this article presents a new theoretical framework that explains the evolution of community resistance, from street protests to subtle, everyday acts of defiance. Drawing on sociological theory and transnational case studies, the authors reveal how opposition emerges across the event lifecycle, fuelled by

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00:35:32

The Hard Edge Of Soft Power: What Mega Events Really...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

Beneath the spectacle of fireworks, opening ceremonies, and global fanfare lies a harder truth—mega-events reshape cities, but often at the expense of the very communities they claim to uplift. In this critical analysis, Dr Sven Daniel Wolfe exposes the hidden consequences of events like the Olympics, World Cups, and Expos, arguing that soft power is anything but soft. Behind the carefully curated images of unity and progress are patterns of urban exclusion, displacement, and authoritarian

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00:20:25

Designing Pilgrimage for All: Spirituality,...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

In this episode, we explore how pilgrimage events can offer more than just spiritual fulfilment—they can support physical, social, and emotional wellbeing. Focusing on Taiwan's famous Dajia Mazu pilgrimage, our guest discusses how this iconic event blends religious tradition with personal growth, community belonging, and even recovery from life’s challenges. Drawing on the Centre for Health Promotion (CHP) model and bottom-up spillover theory, we unpack how the pilgrimage fosters wellbeing

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00:32:44

What Did the Berlin 1936 Olympics Teach Us About...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

The 1936 Berlin Olympics provided the world’s first systematic blueprint for using global sporting events as instruments of soft power, propaganda, and image management. Through spectacle, architecture, and ritual, Nazi Germany constructed an alluring but misleading narrative of modernity and unity—while concealing oppression and persecution. Nearly a century later, this model persists. From Beijing 2008 to Qatar 2022, mega-events continue to project curated national images, often masking

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00:20:25

The Trickle-Down Illusion: Why Major Events Often...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

Does elite sport truly inspire everyday people to get more active? In this episode, Dr Mike Duignan speaks with Dr Georgia Teare, Dr Girish Ramchandani, and Dr Luke Potwarka about their recent article, The Trickle-Down Illusion, based on UEFA Euro 2020. Using comparative data from across 11 European host nations, they critically assess the widely held belief that mega-events boost grassroots sport participation. Their findings challenge the assumption that symbolic nationalism, athlete success, or

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00:23:28

Sport or Spectacle? Exposing the Olympic Industry's...

CEF"s Podcast: "Inside Events" ·

2025/07/19

Behind the glittering spectacle of the Olympic Games lies a complex and troubling reality. In this episode, Professor Helen Jefferson Lenskyj, a leading critic of the Olympic movement, exposes how the so-called “Olympic industry” masks corruption, authoritarianism, and human rights abuses beneath rhetoric about unity, peace, and sporting excellence. We unpack how host city selection is dominated by opaque deals and political influence, how displaced communities and marginalised groups pay the price,

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31 results

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