Leeds Beckett University to host LSA Annual Conference

Well Met, the conference office for Leeds Beckett University will be hosting this year’s internationally acclaimed annual Leisure Studies Association (LSA) Conference at The Rose Bowl from Tuesday 4 – Thursday 6 July.

Targeted towards academics, students, and professionals who work broadly within the field of leisure, sports and tourism the Leisure Studies Association conference aims to answer the following question, ‘What can leisure research on identities, lifestyles and play reveal about social relations, inequalities, power and privilege?’

Organised by Well Met, the conference programme will provide delegates with time and space for networking and relaxing, in addition to attending the keynote and debate sessions at the prestigious Rose Bowl. This city landmark sits moments from the centre of bustling Leeds and is in walking distance of major hotels, restaurants and bars, as well as the train station and other public transport links. This state-of-the-art venue offers the very latest in modern conferencing providing an array of contemporary boardrooms and theatre halls – each equipped with advanced AV facilities.

With an enviable reputation for research excellence, particularly within the Institute for Sport Physical Activity & Leisure, Leeds Beckett University provides a collaborative environment for fostering a research culture – offering LSA invaluable links with professional bodies, employers, business students and teaching staff.

The first evening of the conference will see delegates invited to bowl, eat and socialise at Roxy Lanes bowling alley in Leeds. The annual event will be rounded off with a conference dinner; a summer barbeque and drinks reception at The Tetley, a contemporary art and event space located in the art deco headquarters of the former Tetley brewery in central Leeds. Keynotes will be given by several leading academics and professionals, including Janes Ashworth OBE, Chief Executive at StreetGames and Professor Sarah Neal, Professor of Sociology at University of Sheffield.

Clare Vidler, Conference Manager at Well Met commented on hosting LSA at the Rose Bowl:

“Leeds is such a vibrant and diverse city, with so much to offer in terms of leisure, events, tourism and sports. When the opportunity presented itself, we welcomed the chance to host the LSA annual Conference as we have not only been able to showcase Leeds as a place of leisure but also Leeds Beckett University as a place of research excellence. We are keen to work collaboratively with businesses to hire our facilities to enhance innovation – and the LSA conference is a prime example of this.”