Jan Box-Steffensmeier was Ohio State’s dean of social and behavioral sciences when she posed a transformative question: Since the university is ranked No. 1 in athletics, shouldn’t it also lead in academics and research about athletics?
To pursue this vision, she partnered with two renowned sports-focused economics professors, Trevon Logan and Lucia Dunn, to establish the Ohio State Sports and Society Initiative (SSI). Over the years, SSI has evolved into a cross-disciplinary, collaborative endeavor that bridges the university community and beyond, with the mission of deepening our understanding of society through its intersection with sports.
Led by Director Nicole Kraft of the School of Communication, SSI brings together faculty from sociology, economics, sports industry, sports medicine, and social work, as well as key partners from Ohio State Athletics, the Ohio High School Athletic Association, and the Columbus Sports Commission. Its advisory board is comprised of Ohio State alumni who are leaders across the sports industry.
“Athletics touches and shapes the lives of so many people, no matter their level of competition,” Kraft said. “Our goal is to build a much stronger understanding of the connection between sports and society and how it influences us far beyond any game or season.”
To achieve this, SSI focuses on three main areas:
- Fostering Sports-Related Research
- Supporting both graduate and undergraduate research to advance impactful studies across a range of disciplines.
- Collaborating on projects such as the National Sports and Society Survey, a study of 4,000 U.S. adults led by Chris Knoester of Sociology, which explores sports-related attitudes and experiences.
- Public Programming on Sports and Society
- Creating opportunities for the public to engage with topics at the intersection of sports and societal structures, exploring how sports shape societal experiences and relationships.
- Hosting discussions and events to better understand current and emerging topics, including e-sports, athlete equality, mental health, and the broader cultural implications of sports.
- Career-Readiness for Students
- Offering classes, training, and immersive learning experiences to develop skills necessary for success in the sports industry.
- Preparing students to excel in fields like media, data analytics, psychology, design, and more, ensuring they are ready to work at the highest levels in the sports industry.
Through these areas, SSI equips students and scholars with tools to study, engage with, and shape the future of sports in meaningful ways.
The initiative’s broader mission is guided by five key pillars:
- Outreach and Engagement: Advancing Ohio State’s national reputation through inclusive dialogue and meaningful conversations.
- Teaching and Learning: Tapping into the passion for sports to create transformative educational and career opportunities for students.
- Research and Creative Expression: Elevating the university’s prominence in sports-related research and attracting external funding for innovative projects.
- Leadership and Advocacy: Driving national conversations around key sports topics.
- Alumni Relations and Advancement: Connecting athletics to purpose while engaging the Ohio State community in meaningful ways.
From examining sports at the collegiate and youth levels to life after athletics, SSI explores topics such as the role of data in sports, athlete mental health, and leadership. It also collaborates with student organizations to foster academic and societal engagement.
“SSI is an extraordinary opportunity for the athletic expertise at and around Ohio State to come together on topics that transcend any field or court of play,” Kraft said. “Our goal is to help society better understand the complex issues that define the role of sports in our lives.”
For more information about the Ohio State Sports and Society Initiative, please email sportssociety@osu.edu.