This conference examines the wide range of innovation in soccer and the associated power dynamics.
About SoccerCon: The Atlanta Conference on Soccer & Innovation
Soccer is simple, requiring only a single person and some object to kick around, even tape or an orange. As shown in the film Timbuktu, young people can even enjoy the game with an imaginary ball. There are competing claims that soccer was invented in China, by the Mayans in Central America, by the Florentines, or by small towns playing folk football in Great Britain. Since that invention, soccer inspired waves of innovation in rules, norms, governance, technology, tactics, training, fandom, and more. “Innovation is the complete process of taking new ideas and devising new or improved products and services” (Dan Breznitz). It is imperative to remember that the interests of fans, players, owners, and communities are often at odds. Who benefits and who loses from improved products and services and what are the time horizons as new products or services may be beneficial in the short term and harmful in the long term? This conference examines the wide range of innovation in soccer and the associated power dynamics.
SoccerCon will be like no other conference, incorporating scholars, journalists, coaches, activists, supporters groups, youth leaders, players, alumni, emerging scholars and Georgia Tech students. Students from the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, the Global Development program, the Ivan Allen College, the Honors Program, the Minor in Sports, Technology, and Society, and the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) on Soccer, Community, Innovation & Politics (SCIP) will participate in all aspects of the conference.
The Atlanta SoccerCon will take place on March 29-30, 2023. Georgia Tech is a world leader in basic and applied research on innovation. The first day will feature some panels and a visit to Station Soccer. The evening of March 29th will include a large public event, keynote speakers, posters of research papers, and will celebrate innovation in soccer organizations for marginalized communities. March 30th will have panels and workshops and one larger public event during the day. An edited book on Soccer & Innovation will be published in late 2023 or early 2024. There are a number of grants for participants for airfare, hotel, and a small honorarium.
Please contact kirk.bowman@inta.gatech.edu for more information.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Declan Abernathy, PhD Candidate in History and Sociology of Technology and Science, Georgia Tech.
Felipe Arocena, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
John Boyd, PhD student, Michigan State University.
Kirk Bowman, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Tech.
Dan Breznitz, University of Toronto, Canada (author of Innovation in Real Places: Strategies for Prosperity in an Unforgiving World).
Gilda Doria, Founder and CEO SoccerHead.
Alberto Fuentes, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the School of City and Regional Planning, Georgia Tech.
Greg Garza, former professional soccer player (capped UNMNT), co-founder Beyond Goals Mentoring.
Dilara Hekimci-Adak, Phd Bahçeşehir University and PhD student Florida International University.
Mbali Hlongwane, founder Pink Codrs, South Africa.
Jasmin Jalali-Yazdi, Eastside Program Manager at Soccer in the Streets.
Matt Lawrey, Academy Director, Atlanta United.
Cas Mudde, host of podcast Radikaal, Stanley Wade Shelton Professor, University of Georgia.
Sanjay Patel, Soccer in the Streets, Atlanta, Georgia (Director of Special Projects).
Jill Robbins, Soccer in the Streets.
Miguel Rosas Buendia, School of Modern Languages, Georgia Tech.
Francisco Stenger, MS Student, Global Media and Cultures, Georgia Tech.
Alexis Steinman, McCourt Global Impact Advisor and OM Foundation Board Member.
Patrick Sullivan, Soccer Historian, New South Associates.
Luísa Turbino Torres, Florida Atlantic University (Author of The Politics of Being a Soccer Fan: An Ethnographic Perspective on Feminist Action Around Soccer in Brazil)
Trevor Williams, Publisher and Editor, Global Atlanta.
Vera Zeigler, Atlanta United Resurgence and Tifo creator.