Professor Győző Molnár

dr-gyozo-molnar

Professor of Sociology of Sport and Exercise

School of Sport and Exercise Science

Academics

Contact Details

email: g.molnar@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 855024

Professor Győző Molnár joined the University of Worcester in September 2008. He is a critical sociologist with a research focus on migration, gender, identity politics and empowering marginalised populations. His current research has focused on the migratory and gendered aspects of Fiji rugby, challenging dominant perspectives in Adapted Physical Activity research and unfolding connections between sport and populist politics in Hungary.

Győző is co-editor of The Politics of The Olympics (2010, Routledge), Ethnographies in Sport and Exercise Research (2016, Routledge), Women, Sport and Exercise in the Asia-Pacific Region: Domination-Resistance-Accommodation (2018, Routledge), The Routledge Handbook of Gender Politics in Sport and Physical Activity (2022, Routledge) and co-writer of Sport, Exercise and Social Theory: An Introduction (2012, Routledge).

Győző has lectured widely in the area of sociology of sport and exercise and qualitative research methods.  He is the leader of the Inclusive Sports and Physical Activity research group and has extensive experience in supervising research students.  Győző has supervised eight doctoral and eight MRes students to completion. 

Qualifications:

  • PhD (Loughborough University, UK)
  • MSc (Miami University, Ohio, US)
  • MPE (University of Pecs, Hungary)
  • HEA Fellow
  • UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor

Teaching & Research

Teaching Interests:

Győző has extensive experience in teaching in the areas of sociology of sport and exercise and qualitative research methods.

Research Interests:

Győző has a keen research interest in serving and empowering marginalised population by engaging with participatory research practices that help people become integral part of research projects beyond the traditional participant role.  His research projects include:

  • Ethnic categorisation of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities (Understanding Patient Dat Funded)
  • Evaluation of the 2023 Invictus Games (Royal British Legion Funded)
  • Whose knowledge counts in Adapted Physical Activity? (British Academy funded)
  • Migration and history of male Hungarian professional football players
  • Migratory trends of male Fijian rugby players
  • Socio-cultural challenges of women in post-colonial societies

Professional Bodies

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
  • Association for the Study of Sport and the European Union
  • Recognised Research Supervisor of UK Council for Graduate Education
  • University of Worcester LGBTQ+ Ally

Publications

Articles:

Molnár, G. (under revision). Nationalism, necropolitics and sport intersection in Hungary: building fences, but expanding nationhood. National Identities.

Thomas, G., Devine, K., and Molnár, G. (2023). Experiences and Perceptions of Women Strength and Conditioning Coaches: A Scoping Review, International Sport Coaching Journal, 10(1), 78-90.

Spencer, N. and Molnár, G. (2022). Whose Knowledge Counts in Adapted Physical Activity Research? Quest, 74(1): 1-16.

Edwards, C., Molnár, G. and Tod, D. (2021). Building The Unbreakable Self: Women’s Experiences Leading to High Drive for Muscularity. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise & Health, 14(4), 609-627.

Thomas, G., Guinan, J. and Molnár, G. (2021). ‘It’s not particularly P.C., you know…’ Women coaches’ performing gender in strength and conditioning. Women in Sport and Physical Activity, 29(2): 106- 116.

Mycock, D. and Molnár, G. (2021). 'The blind leading the blind' – A reflection on coaching blind football. EUJAPA, 14(1), 3. doi.: 10.5507/euj.2020.011.

Molnár, G. and Whigham, S. (2021). Radical Right Populist Politics in Hungary: Reinventing the Magyars through Sport. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. 56(1), 133-148.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2019). 'Representing' the Voices of Fijian Women Rugby Players: Limits and Potentials of Research as a Transformative Act. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. 55(4), 399–415.

Faulkner, C., Molnár, G. and Kohe, G. (2019). 'I just go on Wi-Fi': Imagining worlds through professional basketball migrants' deployment of information and communication technology. Journal of Sport and Social Issues. 43(3): 195-218. 

Postlethwaite, V., Kohe, G and Molnár, G. (2019). Mechanics of Inspiring a Generation: A stakeholder evaluation of London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics educational programmes. Managing Sport and Leisure. 23 (4-6): 391-407.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2017). Private Military and Security Labour Migration: the Case of Fiji. International Migration. 55(4): 154-170. ISSN 1468-2435.

Benkwitz, A. and Molnár, G. (2017). The Emergence and Development of Association Football: Influential Sociocultural Factors in Victorian Birmingham. Soccer and Society. 18(7): 1027-1044.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2017). Double-trouble: Negotiating Gender and Sexuality in Post-colonial Women’s Rugby. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. 52(4), 430–446.

Edwards, C., Tod, D., Molnár, G. and Markland, D. (2016). Predicting Muscularity-Related Behaviour, Emotions and Cognitions in Men: The Role of Psychological Need Thwarting, Drive for Muscularity and Mesomorphic Internalization. Body Image.

Edwards, C., Molnár, G. and Tod, D. (2016). Searching for Masculine Capital: Experiences Leading to High Drive for Muscularity in Men. Psychology of Men and Masculinity.

Tod, D., Edwards, C., Molnár, G. and Markland, D. (2016). Perceived Social Pressures and the Internalization of the Mesomorphic Ideal: The Role of Drive for Muscularity and Autonomy. Body Image. 16: 63-69.

Molnár, G. and Kanemasu, Y. (2014). Playing on the global periphery: Social scientific explorations of rugby in the Pacific Islands. Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science. 3(3): 175-185.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2014). Life after Rugby: Issues of being an ‘ex’ in Fiji rugby. The International Journal of the History of Sport. 31(11): 1389-1405.

Edwards, C., Tod, D. and Molnár, G. (2014). A Systematic Review of the Drive for Muscularity Research Area. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 7(1): 18-41.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2013). Problematising the dominant: the emergence of alternative cultural voices in Fiji rugby. Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science. 2(1): 14-30.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2013). Collective Identity and Contested Allegiance: A Case of Migrant Professional Fijian Rugby Players. Sport in Society. 16(7): 863-882.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2013). Pride of the People: Fijian rugby labour migration and cultural identity. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. 48(6): 720–735.

Benkwitz, A. and Molnár, G. (2012). Socio-cultural approaches to interpreting football rivalries. Soccer and Society. 13(4): 479-794.

Butt, J. and Molnár, G. (2009). Involuntary Career Termination in Sport: A Case Study of the Process of Structurally Induced Failure. Sport in Society. 12(2): 236-252.

Molnár, G. and Bryson, J. (2009). Enhancing processual learning: some observations on teaching research skills. The Journal of Pedagogical Research and Scholarship. 1(2): 26-33.

Soós, I., Hamar, P., Molnár, G., Biddle, S. and Sándor, I. (2008). Erdélyi tanulók fizikai aktivitásának és inaktivitásának vizsgálata EMA (Ecological Momentary Assessment) módszerrel [An Investigation into Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviours in Transylvanian Students by Using EMA (Ecological Momentary Assessment)]. Magyar Sporttudomanyi Szemle. 9(4): 20-24.

Molnár, G. and Gal, A. (2008). A sporttal kapcsolatos migráció általános áttekintése [Sport-related Migration: A General Overview]. Magyar Sporttudomanyi Szemle. 9(3): 12-15.

Molnár, G. and Maguire, J. (2008). Hungarian Footballers on the Move: Issues of and Observations on the First Migratory Phase. Sport in Society. 11(1): 74-89.

Soós, I., Molnár, G. and Hamar, P. (2007). Közeledjünk az „új” Európai Uniós modell felé, vagy ragaszkodjunk a „jól bevált” magyarhoz? Gondolatok a magyarországi testnevelés és szabadidosportok szocio-kulturális kihívásairól [Should We Adopt the „New” EU Model or Should We Retain the „Good-Old” Hungarian One? Preliminary Observations on the Socio-cultural Challenges in Physical Education and Leisure Activities in Hungary]. Magyar Sporttudomanyi Szemle. 8(4): 33-35.

Molnár, G. and Bryson, J. (2007). A Hands-on Approach to Learning Fundamental Research Skills. The Journal of Pedagogical Research and Scholarship. 1(1): 71-73.

Molnár, G. and Bryson, J. (2007). TLC Project Assessment Case Study: Poster.

Molnár, G. (2007). Hungarian Football: A Socio-Historical Perspective. Sport in History. 27(2): 293-318.

Molnár, G. (2006). Mapping Migrations: Hungary Related Migrations of Professional Footballers after the Collapse of Communism. Soccer and Society. 7(4): 463-485.

Molnár, G. (2006). A Beginner's Guide to Hungarian Football. Soccer History. 13 (Winter 2005-06): 22-25.

 

Books:    

Bairner, A., Molnár, G. and Whigham, S. (eds.) (in progress). Elgar Encyclopaedia of Sport and Politics. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Molnár, G. and Bullingham, R. (eds.) (2022). Routledge Handbook of Politics of Gender in Sport and Physical Activity. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnár, G., Amin, S. and Kanemasu, Y. (eds.) (2018). Women, Sport and Exercise in the Asia-Pacific Region: Oppression - Resistance - Accommodation. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnár, G. and Purdy, L. (eds.) (2016). Ethnographies in Sport and Exercise Research. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnár, G. and Kanemasu, Y. (eds.) (2014). Special Issue: Playing on the global periphery: Social scientific explorations of rugby in the Pacific Islands. Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science. 3(3): 175-276.

Molnár, G. and Kelly, J. (2013). Sociology of Sport and Exercise: An Introduction. Oxon: Routledge.

Bairner, A. and Molnár, G. (eds.) (2010). Politics of the Olympics: A Survey. London: Routledge.

 

Book Chapters:     

Spencer, N. L. I. and Molnár, G. (forthcoming). Adapted Physical Activity. In Routledge Encyclopaedia of Sport Studies. Routledge.

Yamashita, T., Postlethwaite, V. and Molnár, G. (2023). Winter Sports and Japan: Representations of Japanese and International Winter Sporting Cultures. In: Macnaughtan, H. and Postlethwaite, V. (eds.), Handbook of Sport and Japan. Japan Documents Publishing.

Bright, C. and Molnár, G. (2023). Neo-tribes in a Type One Diabetes Football Online Community. In: Roberts, W., Whigham, S., Parnell, D. and Culvin, A. (eds.), Critical Social Theory and Football. Routledge.

Molnár, G. (2022). Sport, Labour and Migration. In: Wenner, L. (ed.), Oxford Handbook of Sport and Society. Oxford University Press.

Molnár, G. and Doczi, T. (2020). A transitology of Hungarian Football. In: Rojo-Labaien, E., Rodríguez-Díaz, Á. and Rookwood, J. (eds.), Sport, Statehood and Transition in Europe: Comparative perspectives from post-Soviet and post-socialist societies (pp. 11-26). London: Routledge.

Kanemasu, Y. and Molnár, G. (2020). Against All Odds: Fijiana's Flight from Zero to Hero in the Rugby World Cup? In: Harris, J and Wise, N. (eds.), Rugby in Global Perspective: Playing on the Periphery. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnár, G., Amin, S. and Kanemasu, Y. (2018). Introduction: Rest and the West - present absence of non-Western research. In: Molnár, G., Amin, S. and Kanemasu, Y. (eds.), Women, Sport and Exercise in the Asia-Pacific Region: Oppression - Resistance - Accommodation. Oxon: Routledge.

Kanemasu, Y., Johnson, J. and Molnár, G. (2018). Fiji's Women Rugby Players: Finding Motivation in a 'Hostile' Environment. In: Molnár, G., Amin, S. and Kanemasu, Y. (eds.), Women, Sport and Exercise in the Asia-Pacific Region: Oppression - Resistance - Accommodation. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnár, G. and Faulkner, C. (2016). Football Related Migrations. In: Hughson, J. et al. (eds.), Routledge Handbook of Football Studies. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnár, G. and Purdy, L. (2016). Introduction. In: Molnár, G. and Purdy, L. (eds.), Ethnographies in Sport and Exercise Research. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnár, G. (2014). The League of Retirees: Foreigners’ Perception of Hungarian Pro Football. In: Elliott, R. and Harris, J. (eds.), Football and Migration: Perspectives, places, players. Oxon: Routledge: 106-124.

Purdy, L., Molnár, G., Griffiths, L. and Castle, P. (2014). Ilona: ‘Tweeting’ through cultural adjustments. In: Armour, K. (ed.), Pedagogical Cases in Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity. Pearson: 222-234.

Edwards, C., Tod, D., Morrison, T. and Molnár, G. (2011). Drive For Muscularity: Current Perspectives. In: Tod, D. and Lavallee, D. (eds.), The Psychology of Strength and Conditioning. London: Routledge: 148-172.

Molnár, G., Doczi, T. and Gal, A. (2011). A Socio-structural Overview of Hungarian Football. In: Gammelsæter, H. and Senaux, B. (eds.), The Organisation and Governance of Top Football Across Europe: An Institutional Perspective. London: Routledge: 253-267.

Molnár, G. (2011). From the Soviet Bloc to the European Community: Migrating professional footballers in and out of Hungary. In: Maguire, J. and Falcous, M. (eds.), Sport and Migration. London: Routledge: 56-70.

Molnár, G. (2010). Re-discovering Hungarianness: The Case of Elite Hungarian Footballers. In: Dine, P. and Crosson, S. (eds.), Sport, Representation and Evolving Identities in Europe. Peter Lang: Witney: 239-262.

 

Book Reviews:

A. Schwell, N. Szogs, M. Z. Kowalska and M. Buchowski (eds.), New Ethnographies of Football in Europe: People, Passions, Politics. Palgrave MacMillan, 2016, Review published in Sport in Society (2016).

Ivan Waddington and Andy Smith, An Introduction to Drugs in Sport: Addicted to Winning? London: Routledge, 2009, Review published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist (Issue 30, Winter, 2011).

Ulrik Wagner, Rasmus K. Storm and John Hoberman (eds.), Observing Sport: Modern System Theoretical Approaches. Schondorf: Hofmann-Verlag, 2010, Review published in Sport in Society (2011).

Stephen Wagg and David L. Andrews (eds.), East Plays West: Sport and the Cold War. London: Routledge, 2007, Review published in Sport in History (Issue 28(1): 200-203).

Chris Hallinan and John Hughson (eds.), Sporting Tales: Ethnographic Fieldwork Experiences. Australian Society for Sports History Studies in Sports History. No. 12 (Kwik Kopy Printing Centre, North Sydney NSW, 2001). Review published in British Society of Sport History Bulletin (Issue 25, Summer/Autumn, 2007: 47-49).

Pierre Lanfranchi and Matthew Taylor, Moving with the Ball: the Migration of Professional Footballers. Oxford, Berg, 2001, Review published in Sport in History (Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006: 175-177).

  

Media Exposure:

Women in Sport podcast (Dec. 2022) https://player.fm/series/the-women-in-sport-exercise-academic-network-podcast/professor-gyozo-molnar-politics-gender-sport

Expert interview on Hungarian football and politics (2021): https://balkaninsight.com/2021/12/08/hungarys-football-ultras-far-right-not-for-fidesz/

Radio interview on lack of exercise in adults, BBC Hereford and Worcester, 2017.

Life after Rugby: Fiji’s “Disposable Heroes”? Mai Life, issue no. 98, July 2015.

Playing in the Shadows: A Story of Women’s Rugby in Fiji. Mai Life, issue no. 99, August 2015.

Radio interview on football violence, BBC Hereford and Worcester, 2013.

 

Government Reports:

Postlethwaite, V., Kohe, G.Z. and Molnár, G. (2021). How should the success of major cultural and sporting events be measured and what should their legacies be? https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/35931/pdf/