This holistic approach will help to understand the difference that upcoming sporting event makes and identify opportunities to strengthen impact further, ensuring future Invictus Games deliver even greater benefits for both participants and local communities.
Dr Shushu Chen, Associate Professor in Sport Policy and Management in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences and the project leader, said: “The Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 presents an important opportunity to explore the value and role of a co‑designed, theory‑informed social impact programme developed ahead of the Games. Created to reach beyond those competing, the programme extends support and opportunities to the wider WIS community and their families.
“Its aim is to support recovery, increase understanding of hidden wounds, and deepen connections between the Armed Forces and wider society. Through rigorous interdisciplinary research, we will assess the programme’s impact on participants and local communities, helping to shape future policy and best practice for similar sporting events.”
The Birmingham-based research team - including Dr Mary Quinton, Professor Jet Veldhuizen van Zanten, Dr Mengying Niu and Morgan-Jayde Milne - will focus on generating robust, evidence-informed insights into psychological health, social wellbeing and community-level outcomes linked to participation and engagement.
Having recently maintained Sport's place in the global top 10 ranking (9) in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, this interdisciplinary collaboration reflects the University of Birmingham’s long-standing research and teaching expertise within the field; alongside its civic mission and strategic ambition to deliver research that creates meaningful impact within local communities and beyond.
The appointment of the University of Birmingham also highlights the Games’ commitment to the wider West Midlands region. By partnering with a local university, the Games are drawing on local expertise and reinforcing its ambition to make a difference for the host city and beyond.
This collaboration forms part of a wider evaluation framework for the Games, which includes collaboration with third-party evaluators to assess environmental, social, and economic outcomes, monitoring the Games’ carbon footprint through to 2027, and a co-designed accessibility evaluation led by Birmingham City University.
