Head in the Game - (Globalizing Sport Studies) by Stephen Townsend & Murray G Phillips & Gary Osmond & Rebecca Olive (Hardcover)

About the Book

Head in the game critically analyses the global concussion crisis in sport from sociocultural perspectives. This edited collection features essays from humanities, social science, and scientific scholars who analyse how the concussion crisis came to be and provide guidance for developing ethical and evidence-based solutions for the future of sport.

Book Synopsis

Head in the game brings together international scholars from multiple humanities, social science, and scientific disciplines to critically examine one of the most vexing issues in global sport: concussion. It argues that science and medicine alone cannot solve the concussion crisis: sociocultural factors must also be considered. This edited collection draws attention to the ways that social, cultural, historical, political, literary, philosophical, and legal factors have shaped the concussion crisis in sport. Head in the game is essential reading for those who want to understand how the concussion crisis came to be, and provides guidance for developing ethical and evidence-based solutions in the future.

From the Back Cover

'Timely and important, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the cultural and social dynamics contributing to a health issue that is increasingly framed as a crisis in sport.'

Kathryn Henne, The Australian National University

'This essential collection harnesses expert insights to tackle one of sport's most pressing challenges. Each chapter reveals far-reaching impacts of concussion, emphasising the need for collaborative engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration.'
Annette Greenhow, Bond University

Head in the game brings together scholars from across the humanities, social sciences and scientific disciplines to critically examine one of the most vexing issues in global sport: concussion.

Internationally, there are growing concerns that repeated brain trauma puts athletes at risk of long- and short-term neurological damage. These concerns have created a crisis for sport, the solutions to which remain elusive despite the best efforts of the scientific and medical communities. Head in the game argues that science and medicine alone cannot solve the concussion crisis: sociocultural factors must also be considered. This edited collection draws attention to the ways in which social, cultural, historical, political, literary, philosophical and legal factors have shaped the concussion crisis in sport. Employing a socioecological framework, the book reveals a tangled web of factors that influence concussion-related attitudes, behaviours and policy. Featuring fourteen essays written by leading international scholars, Head in the game examines sports concussion from new and sometimes unexpected angles.

This innovative book is essential reading for those who want to understand how the concussion crisis came to be, and provides guidance for developing ethical and evidence-based solutions in the future.

Review Quotes

'Head in the game provides illuminating insights that could come only from a diverse group of experts. Each chapter offers a nuanced analysis of oft-overlooked dimensions of sports concussion. Timely and important, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the cultural and social dynamics contributing to a health issue that is increasingly framed as a crisis in sport.'
Kathryn Henne, The Australian National University

'This essential collection harnesses expert insights to tackle one of sport's most pressing challenges. Each chapter reveals far-reaching impacts of concussion, extending beyond sport itself, emphasising the need for collaborative engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration among stakeholders. The editors have delivered a compelling collection that advances our understanding of this critical issue.'
Annette Greenhow, Faculty of Law, Bond University

'Head in the game' is a must for anyone truly invested in the bigger picture of brain injuries in sport. Sports concussion is more than just a medical concern, but rather a concern that is of an interdisciplinary nature involving social, historical, and cultural aspects across all sports at all levels. This book demonstrates the need for professionals across medical, humanities and social sciences to work together on solving the current "concussion crisis".'
Alan Pearce, Swinburne University of Technology

About the Author

Stephen Townsend is a Research Fellow in Sport Sociocultural Studies at The University of Queensland
Murray G. Phillips is a Professor of Sport History at The University of Queensland
Gary Osmond is an Associate Professor of Sport History at The University of Queensland
Rebecca Olive is a Vice Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University