Description

Maarten van Bottenburg is professor of Public Administration and Organisation Science at Utrecht University and coordinator of Utrecht University's focus area 'Sport & Society'. In 2017 he held the Francqui Chair at the Vrije Universiteit Brussels. He was also lecturer of sport business at Fontys University of Applied Sciences (2004-2009) and research director of the W.J.H. Mulier Institute – a leading centre for research on sports in society in the Netherlands (2002-2006), of which he was also one of the founders.  

As such, Van Bottenburg has been engaged in both academic research and consultancy in the field of sports for thirty years. The common thread in his work is the question of how sport is developing as a social phenomenon, which public values and public issues arise from this, and how and why the organization and management of sport have an impact on those values and issues.

Van Bottenburg published several books, articles and reports on the social meanings and public issues of sport, such as social inclusion (club life), international prestige (medal rankings), violence (extreme fighting) and cheating (doping, match-fixing).

Frank van Eekeren is associate professor Sport & Society at the Utrecht University School of Governance (USG) and professor applied sciences 'Impact of Sport' at the Hague University of Applied Sciences. At the same time he’s a board member at PSV Foundation.  

He studies the value of sport in and for society with the intention to contribute to better functioning organizations and managers who in turn contribute to a vital, resilient and inclusive society. Central topics in his research are: public value creation in and through football organizations; CSR by sport organizations; societal impact of mega sport events; criminal undermining in sport; good governance and integrity in (international) sport organizations. 

He considers both academic output and societal impact as his core business. Therefore, he publishes in academic journals, professional magazines, and social media. His most recent book is 'Good Governance in Sport, Critical Reflections', which he edited with Arnout Geeraert.