New professor highlights the societal and ethical dimensions of sport
Ask Vest Christiansen has been appointed Professor of Sports Science at the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University. His research explores the ethical, cultural, and societal significance of sport – ranging from doping culture to identity and justice in elite sport.
As Professor of humanistic and social science approaches to sport, Ask Vest Christiansen investigates controversial aspects of sport and physical activity. His work includes the use of performance-enhancing substances and the social and ethical dilemmas that arise in the world of sport, shedding light on what these issues reveal about our values and culture.
He examines how sport can both reflect and challenge societal norms and values in areas such as competition, fairness, health, and identity.
"Sport is a domain where our notions of morality, corporeality, and equality are put to the test. By examining issues like doping, gender, and fairness, we gain insight into what sport means for both individuals and communities. The debate that emerges from this can help us better understand some of today’s most pressing issues,” says Ask Vest Christiansen.
The new professor is involved in numerous research projects, including The Rise and Fall of Cycling’s Doping Culture 1990–2025, which explores the history of doping in cycling and its implications for global anti-doping efforts, and Fair and Safe Eligibility Criteria in Women’s Elite Sport, which investigates the participation of transgender and DSD athletes in the women’s category. He has also for many years led and is currently part of the International Network of Doping Research (INDR), based at Aarhus University, which brings together researchers from around the world.
Through his professorship, Ask Vest Christiansen aims to strengthen the research environment for humanistic and social science sport studies in Aarhus and hopes to attract early-career researchers and more international collaborators to the field.
Contact
Professor Ask Vest Christiansen
Department of Public Health, Aarhus University
Phone: +45 27 78 28 33
Email: [email protected]