Sports Humanities and Sociology at East China University of Science and Technology is the first degree programme within China's mainstream higher education institutions to specialise in sports economics and sports health industry management, conferring an academic master's degree in Education. Approved for establishment in 2003, the programme commenced admissions in 2004 and has since graduated over 200 students. Leveraging research institutions including the Research Institute of Sports Economics and the Research Institute of Health Sciences and Engineering, the programme currently employs 12 academic supervisors—comprising four professors and eight doctoral degree holders.
Sports Humanities and Sociology aims to cultivate high-calibre sports professionals who are well-rounded in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labour education, possess strong comprehensive qualities and innovative practical abilities, have a solid foundation in professional theoretical knowledge of sports humanities and sociology, master systematic research methodologies in the field, and demonstrate patriotic sentiment, a global perspective and innovative spirit. Graduates will be equipped to undertake roles in sports teaching, scientific research and professional management.
Primary research directions include:
1. Sports Economics and Management. This programme upholds the interdisciplinary approach of ‘sports + economics + management’, aiming to cultivate professionals who are ‘sports specialists with business acumen and business professionals with sports expertise’. Aligned with market demands, it encompasses multiple domains including the sports industry, sports economics, and sports management. Research focuses on sports marketing, sports financial management, sports industry management, event operations, sports tourism management, and sports economic policy.
2. Sport and Health. This research direction is grounded in the forefront of sports science, addressing major theoretical and practical issues within the field of ‘sport and health’. Key areas of investigation include the relationship between physical activity and mental wellbeing, exercise behaviour, brain science and cognitive research, systematic management of physical fitness and health promotion, and public health policy.