Bridging Sociology

The aim of this project is to create a new academic field, the sociology of mindsport. This includes developing a new undergraduate module: Sociology of Sport, Mindsport and Leisure. The sociology of mindsport fits academically between sport studies and leisure studies.

This work is informed by literature reviews on bridge, chess and poker. It considers how to define and conceptualise mindsports, as well as the societal challenges and benefits of a more inclusive approach to mindsport. The project began in 2017 and is ongoing.

BAMSA, University of Stirling

Snellgrove, M.L. and Punch, S. (2022) ‘Negotiating Insider Research through Reactive Collaboration: Challenges, Issues and Failures,’ Qualitative Research Journal

Maclean,J., Hay, G., Ballinger, C., Nicholson, E., Biriotti, M. and Punch, S. (2023) Bridging Insights: Developing a Marketing Strategy for Bridge, Bridge2Bridge, BAMSA and SHM Productions Report.

•  Report summary

Snellgrove, M.L. (2019) ‘Taking Bridge Seriously’, Discover Society

Punch, S. (2020) ‘Bridge: A MindSport for All’, Leisure Studies Association

BAMSA (2021) Marketing Bridge, 4^th International Bridge Conference, Bridging Academia, Policy and Practice, 1 July 2021, University of Stirling.

Nicholson, E., Ballinger. C., Biriotti, M., Maclean, J. and Punch, S. (2021) Thinking Outside the ‘Bidding Box’: Marketing Bridge to New Players, 4th International Bridge Conference, Bridging Academia, Policy and Practice, 1 July 2021, University of Stirling.

Punch, S. and Snellgrove, M.L. (2019) ‘Keep Bridge Alive: Challenges and Opportunities’, Brain and Mind: Promoting Individual and Community Wellbeing International Conference, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, 12 December 2019