CEF's Podcast: 'Inside Events'

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...

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 glo...

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 C...

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 h...

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 Gam...

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. Rathe...

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 ,...

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 controversia...

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 st...

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 . Bas...

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 bra...

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 o...

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 conti...

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 hesit...

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 transnationa...

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...

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 Prom...

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 Beiji...

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 spo...

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 b...

Dr. Trudy Barber joins Dr. Michael Duignan to explore the provocative future of live music in an era of avatars, AI, and virtual performance. From ABBA Voyage to sex robots, holograms to immersive gigs, Barber draws on decades of digital experimentation to ask whether we’re witnessing a radical reinvention—or the slow demise—of live music's soul. They unpack nostalgia, authenticity, cyberpsycholog...

In this gripping episode, Dr. Gjoko Muratovski joins Dr. Michael Duignan to explore how the 1936 Berlin Olympics became one of the most powerful exercises in political propaganda in modern history. We unpack how Nazi Germany orchestrated the Games to manipulate global perception, influence international diplomacy, and lay the foundations for today’s mega-event spectacles. From torch relays and arc...

The Olympics promise legacy—but who actually benefits? In this compelling episode, Dr. Judith Mair joins Dr. Michael Duignan to explore the complex realities behind Olympic-led urban transformation, focusing on Tokyo 2020 and the road ahead to Brisbane 2032. From gentrification and displacement to truth-making and indigenous inclusion, they interrogate the disconnect between promised legacies and...

In this episode, Dr. Brian McCullough unpacks the environmental blind spots of major sports tournaments, using March Madness as a case in point. With 80% of emissions linked to fan and team travel—often ignored in official assessments—he challenges the sustainability claims of neutral-site models. We explore whether regionalization could be a realistic solution, what women's tournaments can le...

What really happens when things go wrong at a live event—and how do professionals decide what to do next? In this episode, Dr. Claire Drakeley reveals why decision-making at events is more complex, creative, and consequential than most people realise. Drawing from her PhD research and years of frontline experience, Claire explores the psychological and practical dynamics of making high-stakes call...