Making sense of the lack of evidence discourse, power and knowledge in the field of sport for development.

Kevin Harris, A Adams

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Purpose
    – The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyse the power dynamics and vested interest groups that shape the lack of evidence discourse, which is critical of the way evidence is produced within and for the sport for development (SFD) field. This examination recognises that an understanding of the dominant neoliberal context within which SFD is located is critical.

    Design/methodology/approach
    – Using a Foucauldian conceptual framework, power, knowledge and discourse relating to political actors in SFD – funders, policy makers, academics and sport development practitioners (SDPs) – are assessed. This paper addresses two key questions: How is the lack of evidence discourse constructed, and what is its impact? And whose interests are served in the interpretation, generation and reporting of evidence?

    Findings
    – This paper concludes that although in a Foucauldian sense power surrounding evidence is everywhere, the neo liberal context, which situates SFD, favours the privileging of evidence discourses associated with and derived from funding organisations, political and academic interest groups to the detriment of evidence discourses associated with SDPs. Clearly then there is a major tension concerning knowledge transfer, power and process, and the way that evidence can be used to inform practice.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)140-151
    JournalInternational Journal of Public Sector Management
    Volume27
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

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