Social Sciences | Interview with Editorial Board Member—Prof. Dr. Steve Jackson

Currently the Co-Director of the New Zealand Centre for Sport Policy and Politics, Steve is also a Corresponding Editor for the International Review for the Sociology of Sport and has served on the following editorial boards: Communication and Sport, Sociology of Sport Journal, Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, International Journal of Sport Marketing and Management, Revista (Journal of the Latin American Association for the Sociocultural Study of Sport), and the Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science, and Social Sciences.

The following is a short interview with Prof. Dr. Steve Jackson:

1. Could you share what initially drew you to your research field, and how your academic journey has evolved?

I originally studied physical education along with sociology and social psychology at  University. I planned to be a teacher, but in my last year of study, a professor asked me if I would be interested in getting a Master’s degree. I had no idea what a Master’s was, but decided to learn more and ultimately went on to complete a Master’s and PhD at the University of Illinois (USA). While studying at the University of Illinois, I had a chance to teach at the University of British Columbia (Canada), and this, in turn, enabled me to travel before I returned to start a PhD.

2. As Guest Editor of the Special Issue “The Contested Terrain of Sport: Sociological, Political and Policy Perspectives” in Social Sciences, what was the most meaningful insight or challenge you encountered during the process?

It was a great experience to have an idea for a Special Issue and then to see how it all unfolded. The biggest challenge is recruiting good manuscripts, even when the theme of our Special Issue was relevant to a lot of scholars in our field. The journal team did a great job of helping to contact potential authors, and this helped develop a solid pool of contributors.

3. How do you see the role of open access journals like Social Sciences?

In some ways, the journal fills a gap for authors who may not have the opportunity to publish in other mainstream journals. These types of journals often help support Special Issues that may not be possible otherwise or would take a long time to obtain approval from some of the main journals.

4. What advice would you give to early career researchers hoping to develop an impactful scholarly profile or collaborate internationally?

In philosophical terms, I would suggest “do what you love and love what you do”, but beyond that, I think I would encourage young scholars to try and understand the wider significance of their research. While most of our research often focuses on very narrow and specific topics, it is important to understand that this work is generally part of a much wider network of research that, collectively, helps us understand key issues and problems in the world. In my field, I would encourage young scholars to embrace the wisdom of C. Wright Mills and use our sociological imagination to link our private experiences and personal problems with wider social structures and public issues. This approach helps all of us recognise that we are not alone and that transformational social change comes through acting collectively.

5. Outside of academic work, are there any personal interests or practices that contribute to your perspective as a social scientist?

I love to travel and have been very fortunate that my work enables this. Experiencing other countries and cultures is extremely valuable for understanding how different but also how similar we are. It provides valuable insights into some of the shared problems we all face, and this might help us to think of strategies to find solutions. One other important part of my job is teaching. Teaching is an opportunity to share knowledge, but it is also a chance to gain knowledge. Students increasingly come from more diverse backgrounds, and they all have knowledge and experiences to share. Working with highly motivated postgraduate students who are conducting exciting new research is also highly rewarding and ensures that Professors continue to learn.

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