Introduction to Special Issue on Social Justice & Events-related Policy

This special issue showcases policy research focusing on social justice and planned events and stems from the reality that the events industry has become truly globalised and more countries with various approaches to civil rights and cultural equity are investing more and more in large-scale events. There has recently been an increasing emphasis upon the contribution of mega-events, such as the Olympic Games, World Cup, Commonwealth Games and so forth, to human rights improvements (Black & Bezanson, 2004) and abuses (Lenskyj, 2008; Matheson & Finkel, 2013; Rutheiser, 1996). Controversies surrounding the social justice aspects of events-related policies have become more prevalent in recent years. Increasingly, mainstream and social media have focused on these controversies and have been instrumental in raising international awareness of the malpractice occurring in many planned events destinations. However, to a large extent, this topic is an under-researched area in academia, and this emerging environment provides an excellent opportunity for further examination and evaluation of approaches towards social policies, human rights, equality and diversity, and other aspects of social justice within tourism, events management and leisure studies policy frameworks.

Viewing social justice issues through events, tourism and leisure lenses provides the opportunity to span many subject areas and draw upon interdisciplinary literatures and methodologies in order to understand the cross-cutting policy implications of these intersections. The inclusion of converging concepts from multiple disciplines and diverse case studies from different social science and management subjects is important for effectively communicating the contemporary developments and current issues of this emerging area of policy research. Investigating issues pertaining to policy, provision, participation and power, this research topic is of international importance and interest. It is not a subject that only pertains to a particular country or region; rather, it incorporates universal ideals and provides a platform for understanding complex processes and constructing multilayered narratives for global issues with which the international academic community can engage. It can also help to inform further research and links to teaching, as more and more education institutions are focusing on these issues to foster internationally focused and socially responsible graduates.

There is an expectation that tourism, leisure and events organisations, management professionals and public bodies have a responsibility not only to support audiences and participants, but also to champion hosting communities. However, in order fully to evaluate this, it is necessary to look more holistically beyond economic and instrumental aspects, including shedding light on the less salubrious social and cultural practices often associated with today's spectacles. Along with analyses of mega-event contexts, it is also necessary to focus more locally and examine how policies related to globalisation processes are affecting communities within social justice frameworks. This special issue highlights policy research undertaken in this area in order to contribute to knowledge in understanding the ways in which events-related socio-economic policies have an impact on event-destination populations. It also has the potential to further discourses related to power relations, sites of challenge and resistance, and models of best practice.

The articles published in this special issue reflect the key tensions that can be found surrounding special events between governments and communities, international and local organising committees, global sponsors and national businesses, as well as among community groups and other stakeholders. The themes analysed are a combination of social, cultural, economic, political, environmental and legal. Reflecting the multidisciplinary and international nature of this topic, the authors for this special issue are subject experts in diverse but related fields of study, including events management, sports management, sociology, kinesiology and tourism. They are affiliated with universities in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia and have conducted research focusing on events in Canada, Brazil, Russia and Australia, among other countries. The articles published here have utilised both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches and draw upon multiple case examples or single in-depth case studies to illustrate their arguments. It is important to note that not all focus on sport. Indeed, sporting events are just one kind of event covered in this special issue, which also has articles exploring cultural and heritage events. Also, not all the examples researched here are large global events. Smaller, community events also raise social justice and equality issues, and this is also included. The variety of size and scope provides a more holistic view of the evolving landscape of social justice and events-related policy.

Events have the power to change people's lives for the better (Coalter, 2013) and provide many positive personal, collective and cumulative experiences. By their very nature, events are imbued with meaning and significance. It is not the objective of this special issue to negate or diminish any of that. Instead, it is an attempt to further the dialogue about the responsibility host cities and nations have to their citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups; a chance to raise awareness through scholarship; a platform for alternative or subversive meanings to be heard through highlighting different perspectives from those of media and governments and, perhaps self-servingly, a salvo for more critical events studies. These discussions and analyses can help to shape a future research agenda for social justice, events management and related public policies. The beauty of events research lies in its bridging of conceptual and practical. Further evidence-based research is needed to interpret the extent of social justice issues associated with special events and how this is embedded in wider theoretical contexts. Critical perspectives and intersectional approaches to such research are in the process of being published; however, more narratives, more data, more voices are needed to create a fuller understanding of the depth and breadth of the issues in an effort to formulate possible solutions and improvements. The articles here capture some of the main themes upon which further research can be developed. They raise questions about the role of events in the struggle for universal human rights as well as the rights of the child. Legacy planning and legacy realities are explored as well as strategies involving place image, community identity and social inclusion. The roles of media are of paramount importance in transmitting and translating a multitude of viewpoints about events-related policies, decisions and actions. All of these articles raise questions about what purposes do events serve for people and places, and, ultimately, who benefits and who is disadvantaged by these events?