Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia Research Collaborating Centre

Welcome to the SOEERCC Website

Since September 2010 the University of Ulster has been appointed the official Regional Research Collaborating Centre (RRCC) for Special Olympics in the Europe/Eurasia region. 

The research team, consisting of Professor Roy McConkey from the Institute of Nursing Research, Project Manager Dr Sandra Dowling and Dr David Hassan, from the Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, have worked in close harmony with Sabine Menke, Senior Manager of Youth, Education and Unified Sports for Special Olympics in the Europe/Eurasia region.

Their 18-month study focussed on the experiences of athletes who participated in the Unified Sports programme - a unique initiative in which athletes with intellectual disabilities compete alongside partners without intellectual disabilities in a range of sports.  They worked across five European countries and collaborated with university colleagues throughout the continent.

For over forty years Special Olympics has offered sports training and competition for persons with intellectual disabilities and is recognized around the world as the leading organization supporting its mission to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Themes

be a fanThe University of Ulster is recognized nationally and internationally for the research undertaken in the field of intellectual disabilities over the past 13 years.  The major themes of which have been support for families, the promotion of health and wellbeing and the social inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  Likewise the University has an outstanding reputation in the field of sport and exercise sciences research and undertakes work in physical activity and population health, sport sciences and, particularly relevant to this work, has an international profile in the sociology of sport. This specifically includes research into the role of sport in society, focuses upon aspects of social inclusion/exclusion, identity and sporting pedagogy.

Throughout the past years Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia developed a very good relationship with the University of Ulster throughout common cross-regional research projects. Professor McConkey and his team show a deep understanding of the Special Olympics movement, bringing new ideas and perspectives.  The relationship between Special Olympics and the University of Ulster will be a mutually beneficial one and I look forward to a bright future together for the benefit of the athletes, their families and coaches.

The aims of the Collaborating Centre are networking amongst University partners, research activities, consultancy on research and evaluation issues as well as University education programs. If you are working in the field of sport for people with intellectual disability or in any related field I kindly ask you to join the RRCC in a common effort to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and to foster their integration in society.