I am serving as the Director of Research in Sport for the Faculty of Health, Sport, and Society. My previous leadership roles include:
Before my appointment here, I worked as an assistant professor of sport management at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. I received my doctorate degree from the Ohio State University, with a major in sport management and a minor in research methods. During my doctorate, I was funded by the Fulbright Commission - USA and the Brazilian Ministry of Education. In the 2014/2015 academic year, I spent a year as a visiting scholar at Isenberg School of Management, University of Massachusetts – Amherst. My research has been published in top journals in the field of sport management, such as Journal of Sport Management, European Sport Management Quarterly, and Sport Management Review, among other journals.
I am the Associate Editor of the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics (https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/risp20/about-this-journal#editorial-board), and the Journal of Global Sport Management (https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rgsm20/about-this-journal#editorial-board). I am the scientific co-chair for the European Association for Sport Management (EASM) - https://www.easm2026.com/
I have been successful in grant applications from funders that include UKRI/ESRC, Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), and FAPESP Foundation.
My current research interests are in social impacts of sport in deprived communities and social impacts of mega-events (mainly the ones hosted by developing nations). Social impacts vary from people displacement to knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Social impact of sport in deprived communities. Social impacts of sport mega-events, major events
Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand - Conference Best Paper Award
http://smaanz.org/category/news/awards-and-grants/
Key Note Speaker - 12th Conference of the Brazilian Association of Sport Management (ABRAGESP)
I was the Keynote Speaker at the 12th Conference of the Brazilian Association of Sport Management (ABRAGESP).
Limiting virus transmission during a Sporting Mega Event: COVID 19 and UEFA EURO 2020
PI: Dr Richard Purves
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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Article
Major Sporting Events as Catalysts for Social and Human Capital Building: The Case of Qatar
Rocha C, Farrag D, Girginov V, Ghanem M, Al Thawadi O & Mustafa B (2026) Major Sporting Events as Catalysts for Social and Human Capital Building: The Case of Qatar. Event Management. https://cognizantcommunication.com/publication/event-management/
Article
On- and Off-Field Impacts of Foreign Players on Peruvian Liga 1 Football Teams
Aranibar JV & Rocha C (2026) On- and Off-Field Impacts of Foreign Players on Peruvian Liga 1 Football Teams. Global Sport Business Journal, 11 (1), Art. No.: 18. https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/gsbj/vol11/iss1/18/
Article
Aboagye E, Mensah P & Rocha C (2026) Validation of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy Among College Students in Ghana: An Exploratory Factor Analysis. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2025-0250
Article
Farrag D, Girginov V, Rocha C, Magdy M & Al-Thawadi O (2026) Organisational Learning from Sport Major-Events: The Case of the Asian Men’s Handball Qualification for Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Journal of Global Sport Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/24704067.2026.2643191
Conference Abstract
Racism and the underrepresentation of Black coaches in Elite Brazilian football
Silva D, Bastos F & Rocha C (2026) Racism and the underrepresentation of Black coaches in Elite Brazilian football. World Association for Sport Management Conference (WASM 2026), Cape Town, South Africa, 03.03.2026-06.03.2026.
Article
Managing Community Sport Organisations in Favelas during Crisis: Impacts on Community Resilience
Rocha C, Morgan J, Brum A & Amen D (2026) Managing Community Sport Organisations in Favelas during Crisis: Impacts on Community Resilience. Social Sciences, 15 (3), Art. No.: 201. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci15030201
Article
Girginov V, Farrag D, Ghanem M, Rocha C, Mustafa B & Althawadi O (2025) Capacity Building in the Arab Non-Profit Sector: A Scoping Review and Preliminary Bibliometric Insights. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/08997640251387971
Presentation / Talk
Sport Management and Environmental Disasters - The case of Maceio, AL, Brazil
Silva D, Ferreira R, Rocha C, Rodrigues C & Bastos F (2025) Sport Management and Environmental Disasters - The case of Maceio, AL, Brazil [Gestão do Esporte em Contexto de um Desastre Sócio-Ambiental – O Caso de Maceió]. 16th Brazilian Conference of Sport Management, Recife, Brazil, 20.11.2025-22.11.2025. https://www.cbge.org.br/
Presentation / Talk
Racial Identification in Sport - A new methodology through hetero identification
Silva D, Bastos F & Rocha C (2025) Racial Identification in Sport - A new methodology through hetero identification [Metodologia de Hetero-identificação Étnico-Racial no Esporte]. 16th Brazilian Conference of Sport Management, Recife, Brazil, 20.11.2025-22.11.2025. https://www.cbge.org.br/
Article
Access to public sporting venues as an indicator of sport mega-events legacy in Brazil
Paiva R, Rocha C & Bogus L (2025) Access to public sporting venues as an indicator of sport mega-events legacy in Brazil [Inter-relações entre acesso às estruturas e equipamentos urbanos de esporte, prática de atividade física e legado dos megaeventos esportivos no Brasil. f]. Sociology Studies [Estudos de Sociologia]. https://periodicos.ufpe.br/revistas/revsocio/
Conference Abstract
Sport in Favelas: Perceptions of Managers on How to Promote Social Development
Rocha C, Williamson T, Bogus L & Paiva R (2025) Sport in Favelas: Perceptions of Managers on How to Promote Social Development. European Association for Sport Management Conference, Budapest, 02.09.2025-05.09.2025.
Conference Abstract
Major Sporting Events as Catalysts of Human and Social Capital Building: The Case of Qatar
Rocha C, Farrag D, Girginov V, Madgy M & Al Thawadi O (2025) Major Sporting Events as Catalysts of Human and Social Capital Building: The Case of Qatar. European Association for Sport Management Conference, Budapest, 02.09.2025-05.09.2025.
Conference Abstract
Qin Y, Rocha C & Morrow S (2025) Knowledge Transfer from Organising Committee to Local Stakeholders: A Case Study of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. European Association for Sport Management, Paris, 03.09.2024-06.09.2024. pp. 159-160. https://web.tresorit.com/l/w5v2P#iZKpO0jvCL4_g7KwzUJMzQ&viewer=7J49QD2WPadGsdn4fKkaTr0Lf869sdMu
Article
Game on or Adventure Bound? Delving into Master Athletes' Travel Motivations
Farrag DA, Adnan N, Rocha C, Mustafa B, Patel S & Yousef M (2025) Game on or Adventure Bound? Delving into Master Athletes' Travel Motivations. Event Management. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599525x17483017436904
Conference Abstract
Organizational Learning from Major Sporting Events: The Case of Qatar Sport Organizations
Rocha C, Dalia F, Girginov V, Magdy M & Al-Thawadi O (2025) Organizational Learning from Major Sporting Events: The Case of Qatar Sport Organizations. North American Society for Sport Management Conference 2025, San Diego, 27.05.2025-30.05.2025.
Book Chapter
Brazil - The Brazilian Elite Sport Model
Rocha C & Mazzei L (2024) Brazil - The Brazilian Elite Sport Model [Brazil]. In: Comparative Elite Sport Development. London: Routledge, pp. 9-22. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003213529
Book Chapter
Copa do Mundo FIFA de Futebol Feminino 2027 no Brasil: Não. Não está tudo pronto.
Paiva R, Bógus L & Rocha C (2024) Copa do Mundo FIFA de Futebol Feminino 2027 no Brasil: Não. Não está tudo pronto.. In: de Sousa IBB, Pereira WF & Mendes JN (eds.) Brazil: Editora Científica Digital, pp. 38-52. https://doi.org/10.37885/240616812
Article
Maclean J, Rocha C, Piggin J, Hunt K, Philpott M, Fitzgerald N & Purves R (2024) “We wouldn’t have missed it for the world”: Hosting a polycentric sporting mega event in pandemic times. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2024.2424576
Conference Abstract
Qin Y, Rocha C & Morroq S (2024) Knowledge Transfer from Organising Committee to Local Stakeholders: A Case Study of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. 32nd Conference of the European Sport Management Association, Paris, France, 03.09.2024-06.09.2024.1, pp. 65-66.
Conference Abstract
Rocha C, Farrag D, Girginov V, Magdy M & Al-Thawadi O (2024) Public Experiences, Capital Building, and Support for Sport Events – The Case of the Asian (Qatar) Men's Handball Qualification for Paris 2024 Olympic Games. European Association for Sport Management, Paris, 03.09.2024-06.09.2024.
Conference Abstract
The underrepresentation of Black coaches in Brazilian football
Silva D, Bastos F, Silva D & Rocha C (2024) The underrepresentation of Black coaches in Brazilian football. European Association for Sociology of Sport, Madrid, 04.06.2024-07.06.2024.
Article
Rocha C & Cao G (2023) Impacts of Urban Regeneration on Small Business in Preparation to Host the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Sport in Society, 26 (6), pp. 985-1002. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2022.2088357
Article
Involvement with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the values of sport
Rocha CM, Hong HJ & Gratao OA (2023) Involvement with the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the values of sport. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events, 15 (3), pp. 353-376. https://doi.org/10.1080/19407963.2021.1944169
Article
Rocha C (2023) Rio 2016 Olympic Legacy for Residents of Favelas: Revisiting the Case of Vila Autódromo Five Years Later. Social Sciences, 12 (3), Art. No.: 166. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030166
Article
Hong HJ, Wilkinson G & Rocha CM (2023) The Relationship Between Basic Needs Satisfaction, Self-determined Motivation, and Burnout in Korean Esports Players. Journal of Gambling Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-022-10132-8
Article
Attending sporting mega events during COVID-19: mitigation and messaging at UK EURO 2020 matches
Purves RI, Maclean J, Rocha C, Philpott M, Fitzgerald N, Piggin J & Hunt K (2023) Attending sporting mega events during COVID-19: mitigation and messaging at UK EURO 2020 matches. Health Promotion International, 38 (1), Art. No.: daac176. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daac176
Article
Monaghan J & Rocha C (2022) Print Media Framing of the Olympic Games Before Canadian Referendums: The Cases of Calgary 2026 and Vancouver 2010. International Journal of Sport Communication, 15 (4), pp. 313-324. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsc.2022-0066
Article
Sport Mega-Events and Displacement of Host Community Residents: A Systematic Review
Rocha CM & Xiao Z (2022) Sport Mega-Events and Displacement of Host Community Residents: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3, pp. 393-409. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.805567
Article
Taks M & Rocha C (2022) Involvement, Social Impacts and Subjective Well-Being: Brazilians' Experiences from Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. World Leisure Journal, 64 (4), pp. 361-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/16078055.2022.2052951
Article
Chen J & Rocha CM (2022) Effects of local and global orientation on popular support for policy strategies to create a stronger Chinese Men's football team. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 14 (2), pp. 255-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2021.2000006
Article
Knowledge management in sport mega-events: A systematic literature review
Qin Y, Rocha C & Morrow S (2022) Knowledge management in sport mega-events: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, Art. No.: 1056390. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.1056390
Article
Technology Innovations and Consumption of Formula 1 as a TV Sport Product
Schneiders C & Rocha C (2022) Technology Innovations and Consumption of Formula 1 as a TV Sport Product. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 31 (3), pp. 186-197. https://doi.org/10.32731/SMQ.313.0922.02
Article
Integration between Women's and Men's Football Clubs: A Comparison between Brazil, China and Italy
Valenti M, Peng Q & Rocha C (2021) Integration between Women's and Men's Football Clubs: A Comparison between Brazil, China and Italy. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 13 (2), pp. 321-339. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2021.1903967
Book Chapter
Rocha C & Mazzei L (2021) Rio 2016: A New World. In: Harris S & Dowling M (eds.) Sport Participation and Olympic Legacies: A Comparative Study. Routledge Research in Sport Politics and Policy. London: Routledge, pp. 132-152. https://www.routledge.com/Sport-Participation-and-Olympic-Legacies-A-Comparative-Study/Harris-Dowling/p/book/9781138696655
Book Chapter
Subjective Well-Being and Social Experiences with Sport Mega-Events: The Case of Rio 2016
Bodin K, Rocha C & Taks M (2021) Subjective Well-Being and Social Experiences with Sport Mega-Events: The Case of Rio 2016 [Events and Well-being]. In: Jepson AS & Walters T (eds.) Events and Well-being. Routledge Critical Event Studies Research Series. London: Routledge, pp. 10-28. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003044932
Conference Paper (published)
Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Hosting Sport Mega-Events on Residents' Housing
Xiao Z & Rocha C (2021) Systematic Literature Review of the Impact of Hosting Sport Mega-Events on Residents' Housing. In: Proceedings of 16th Asian Association for Sport Management Conference. 16th Asian Association for Sport Management (AASM) Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 19.08.2021-20.08.2021, pp. 187-188. https://pubhtml5.com/whdv/lxon
Article
Host country brand image and political consumerism: The case of Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup
Rocha C & Wyse F (2020) Host country brand image and political consumerism: The case of Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 29 (1), pp. 62-76. https://doi.org/10.32731/SMQ.291.032020.05
Article
Rocha C (2020) Temporal variations in the relationship between legacies and support: A longitudinal case study in Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Journal of Sport Management, 34 (2), p. 130–146. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2019-0039
Article
Does Distance Matter? Geographical Distance and Domestic Support for Mega Sports Events
Weimar D & Rocha CM (2019) Does Distance Matter? Geographical Distance and Domestic Support for Mega Sports Events. Journal of Sports Economics, 20 (2), pp. 286-313. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527002517724505
Article
Biscaia R & Rocha CM (2018) Sponsorship of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games: An empirical examination of the reactions to local sponsors and rival brands. Sport Marketing Quarterly, 27 (3), pp. 180-196. http://fitpublishing.com/articles/sponsorship-2016-rio-olympic-games-empirical-examination-reactions-local-sponsors-and-rival
Article
The process toward commitment to running - The role of different motives, involvement, and coaching
Rocha CM & Gratao O (2018) The process toward commitment to running - The role of different motives, involvement, and coaching. Sport Management Review, 21 (4), pp. 459-472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2017.10.003
Book Chapter
Maakte Rio 2016 De Brazilianen Gelukkig?
Taks M & Rocha CM (2017) Maakte Rio 2016 De Brazilianen Gelukkig? [Did Rio 2016 make Brazilians happy?]. In: Hover P & Breedveld K (eds.) The Story of Rio 2016: De maatschappelijke betekenis van de Olympische en Paralympische Spelen 2016. Utrecht: Arko Sports Media, pp. 119-125. https://www.kennisbanksportenbewegen.nl/?file=7974&m=1498033123&action=file.download
Article
Attendance of Brazilian soccer games: the role of constraints and team identification
Rocha CM & Fleury FA (2017) Attendance of Brazilian soccer games: the role of constraints and team identification. European Sport Management Quarterly, 17 (4), pp. 485-505. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/16184742.2017.1306871; https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2017.1306871
Article
Rio 2016 Olympic Games and diplomatic legacies
Rocha CM (2017) Rio 2016 Olympic Games and diplomatic legacies. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 9 (2), pp. 277-294. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2017.1287762
Article
Support of Local Residents for the 2016 Olympic Games
Rocha CM, Barbanti VJ & Chelladurai P (2017) Support of Local Residents for the 2016 Olympic Games. Event Management, 21 (3), pp. 251-268. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599517X14942648527491
Article
Rocha CM & Gratao O (2017) 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil: The Effects of Neutrality of Intent and Economic Welfare on Support Intentions. Journal of Global Sport Management, 2 (1), pp. 22-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/24704067.2017.1280226
Article
Attitudes toward attending the 2016 Olympic Games and visiting Brazil after the games
Rocha CM & Fink JS (2017) Attitudes toward attending the 2016 Olympic Games and visiting Brazil after the games. Tourism Management Perspectives, 22, pp. 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2017.01.001
Book Chapter
Can Sport Mega-Events Change the "Diplomatic Dwarf" Status of Brazil?
Rocha CM & Grix J (2017) Can Sport Mega-Events Change the "Diplomatic Dwarf" Status of Brazil?. In: Esherick C, Baker R, Jackson S & Sam M (eds.) Case Studies in Sport Diplomacy. Morgantown, WV, USA: FIT Publishing, pp. 50-65. http://fitpublishing.com/books/case-studies-sport-diplomacy
Book Chapter
Public sector and sport development in Brazil
Rocha CM (2016) Public sector and sport development in Brazil. In: Bravo G, D’Amico R & Parrish C (eds.) Sport in Latin America: Policy, Organization, Management. Routledge Research in Sport Business and Management. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 77-88. https://www.routledge.com/Sport-in-Latin-America-Policy-Organization-Management/Bravo-Lopez-de-DAmico-Parrish/p/book/9780415745895
Article
Dimensões da motivação para correr e para participar de eventos de corrida
Gratao O & Rocha CM (2016) Dimensões da motivação para correr e para participar de eventos de corrida [Dimensions of motivation to run and to attend running events]. Brazilian Journal of Science and Movement, 24 (3), pp. 90-102. https://portalrevistas.ucb.br/index.php/RBCM/article/view/5987
Article
Support of politicians for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
Rocha CM (2016) Support of politicians for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Leisure Studies, 35 (4), pp. 487-504. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2015.1042508
Book Chapter
Hofman-Moura M & Rocha CM (2016) The wonders of the wonderful city: social impacts and legacies of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In: Bravo G, D’Amico R & Parrish C (eds.) Sport in Latin America: Policy, Organization, Management. Routledge Research in Sport Business and Management. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 196-212. https://www.routledge.com/Sport-in-Latin-America-Policy-Organization-Management/Bravo-Lopez-de-DAmico-Parrish/p/book/9780415745895
Article
Patriotism, national athletes and intention to purchase international sports products
Rocha CM & Fink JS (2015) Patriotism, national athletes and intention to purchase international sports products. International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 16 (2), pp. 57-71. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSMS-16-02-2015-B005
Article
Support for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games
Rocha CM & Barbanti VJ (2015) Support for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games. Journal of Physical Education and Sports Management, 2 (2), pp. 66-87. https://doi.org/10.15640/jpesm.v2n2a6
Article
Rocha CM & Chelladurai P (2014) Differential Item Functioning in Subgroup Comparisons: The Case of Distributive Justice in Intercollegiate Athletics. International Journal of Sport Management, 15 (4), pp. 385-408. https://americanpresspublishers.com/IJSMContents2014.html
Article
Patterns of Bureaucracy in Intercollegiate Athletic Departments
Rocha CM & Chelladurai P (2013) Patterns of Bureaucracy in Intercollegiate Athletic Departments. Journal of Sport Management, 27 (2), pp. 114-129. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.27.2.114
Article
Item parcels in structural equation modelling: an applied study in sport management
Rocha CM & Chelladurai P (2012) Item parcels in structural equation modelling: an applied study in sport management. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 2 (1), pp. 46-53. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijpbs.20120201.07
Article
Relationship between organizational support and performance of college coaches: A mediational model
Rocha CM & Chelladurai P (2011) Relationship between organizational support and performance of college coaches: A mediational model. European Sport Management Quarterly, 11 (3), pp. 301-319. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2011.577793
Article
Gestão do esporte: definindo a área
Rocha CM & Bastos F (2011) Gestão do esporte: definindo a área [Sport management: defining the area]. Revista Brasileira de Educação Física e Esporte, 25, pp. 91-103. https://www.revistas.usp.br/rbefe
Book Chapter
Sources of support for employees in sport organizations
Woo B & Rocha CM (2011) Sources of support for employees in sport organizations. In: Robinson L, Chelladurai P, Bodet G & Downward P (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Sport Management. Routledge International Handbooks. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 178-192. https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-Handbook-of-Sport-Management/Robinson-Chelladurai-Bodet-Downward/p/book/9780415587884
Article
Organizational Effectiveness of Athletic Departments and Coaches' Extra- Role Behaviors
Rocha CM & Turner BA (2008) Organizational Effectiveness of Athletic Departments and Coaches' Extra- Role Behaviors. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 2008 (1), pp. 124-144. http://csri-jiia.org/old/documents/publications/research_articles/2008/JIIA_2008_6_%20Rocha_Publish.pdf
MSc programme in Sport Management - Modules: SPSP038 - Principles of Management in Sport (module coordinator) SPSP064 - Sport Events SPSP053 - Research Project (supervisor)
BA in Sport Studies - Modules: SPSU9SB - Managing the Business of Sport (module coordinator) SPSPSSB - Managing the Business of Sport in Singapore (module coordinator)
