Rob VanWynsberghe. PhD
Research
Overarching questions inspire my research:
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How can we understand human action across individual, collective and institutional scales?
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What strategies, such as green jobs, foster interactions among neighbourhood organizations, non-profits, and government bodies and thereby promote sustainable communities?
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How can catalytic interventions, such as mega-events, be planned to offer “creative solution-making” for existing social problems?
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How can pedagogy make common cause with progressive social movements by incorporating action theory?
My research can be categorized into the following broad topics:
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Sustainability education
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Sport mega-events
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Green economy
I employ diverse strategies and tools to study each of these areas, such as indicator-based measurements, multi-stakeholder engagement, cultural models, cross-case analysis, and simulation technology. My research and educational interests are interdisciplinary, participatory, and sensitive to local problems.
Please see below for more information on my current and past research and research-related projects.
How can we understand human action across individual, collective and institutional scales?
What strategies foster interactions among neighbourhood organizations, non-profits, and government bodies and thereby promote sustainable communities?
The names of graduate students in co-authored publications are underlined. Articles of primary importance have an asterisk (*). Reprints are in bold.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2015). Green jobs for the disadvantaged: An analysis of government policies in British Columbia. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. doi: 10.1080/09640568.2015.1039640. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Herman, A. C. (2015). Education for social change and pragmatist theory: Five features of educative environments designed for social change. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 34(3), 268-283. doi: 10.1080/02601370.2014.988189. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Moore, J. (2015). UN decade on education for sustainable development (UNDESD): Enabling sustainability in higher education. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 17(2), 315-330. doi:10.1007/s10668-014-9606-x. Available here.
Derom, I., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2015). Extending the benefits of leveraging cycling events: Evidence from the Tour of Flanders. European Sport Management Quarterly, 15(1), 111-131. doi: 10.1080/16184742.2014.997772. Available here.
Derom, I., VanWynsberghe, R., & Scheerder, J. (2015). Maintaining physical activity post-event? Case of the Tour of Flanders Cyclo in Belgium. Annals of Leisure Research. doi: 10.1080/11745398.2014.932699. Available here.
Pentifallo, C., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2015). Mega-event impact assessment and policy attribution: Embedded case study, social housing, and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events. doi: 10.1080/19407963.2014.990236. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2014). Applying event leveraging using OGI data: A case study of Vancouver 2010. Leisure Studies. doi: 10.1080/02614367.2014.986508. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2014). Green jobs for the disadvantaged in British Columbia: The perspectives of non-governmental organisations and social entrepreneurs. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability. doi: 10.1080/13549839.2014.974151. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2014). Towards a pragmatist-inspired redesign of education. Antistasis. 4(2), 43-46. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2014). The Olympic Games Impact (OGI) study for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games: Strategies for evaluating sport mega-events’ contribution to sustainability. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 7(1), 1-18. doi: 10.1080/19406940.2013.852124. Available here.
*VanWynsberghe, R., Surborg, B., & Wyly, E. (2013). When the Games Come to Town: Neoliberalism, Mega-Events and Social Inclusion in the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research. 37(6), 2074-2093. Available here. Reprinted in pp. 419-438 of B. Flyvbjerg (Ed). Megaproject Planning and Management: Essential Readings. Edward Alger Publishing. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R., Derom, I., & Maurer, E. (2012). Leveraging the 2010 Olympic Games: “Sustainability” in a City of Vancouver initiative. International Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure & Events, 4(2), 185-205.
Pentifallo, C., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2012). Blame it on Rio: Thinking through the Games’ impacts and legacies. In B. Houlihan, Smith, A. & Boyce D. (Eds.), The ‘Olympic and Paralympic Effect’ on public policy: Use and misuse, a special volume of the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics: 4(3), 427-446.
Surborg, B., VanWynsberghe, R., & Wyly, E. (2008). Mapping the Olympic growth machine: Transnational urbanism and the growth machine diaspora. City: Analysis of Urban Trends, Culture, Theory, Policy, Action, 12(3), 341-355.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Moore, J. (2008). Envisioning the classroom as a social movement organization. Policy Futures in Education, 6(3), 298-311.
Holden, M., MacKenzie, J., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2008). Vancouver’s promise of the world’s first sustainable Olympic Games. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 26(5), 882-905.
Khan, S., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2008). Cultivating the under-mined: Cross-case analysis as knowledge mobilization. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 9(1), Article 34. Available here.
Shapka J., Law, D., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2008). Quest for communicating sustainability: Gb-Quest as a learning tool for effecting conceptual change. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 13(2), 107-127.
*VanWynsberghe, R., & Khan, S. (2007). Redefining case study. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 6(2), 89-94. (2014). Reprinted in G. Thomas (Ed.) Case study methods in education. Sage Publications and M. Tight (Ed.) Case studies. Sage Publications.
VanWynsberghe, R., Carmichael J., & Khan, S. (2007). Conceptualizing sustainability: Simulating concrete possibilities in an imperfect world. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 12(3), 279-294.
*VanWynsberghe, R., & Andruske, C. (2007). Research in the Service of co-Learning: Sustainability and community engagement. Canadian Journal of Education, 30(1), 349-376.
Robinson, J., Carmichael J., VanWynsberghe, R., Journeay, M., & Rogers, L. (2006). Sustainability as a problem of design: Interactive science in the Georgia Basin. The Integrated Assessment Journal: Bridging Science and Policy, 6(4), 165-192.
Amsden, J., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2005). Community mapping as a research tool with youth. Action Research, 3(4), 353-377.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2005). A firm footing on a soapy floor: A modest proposal for integrating sessionals into departments of sociology. Canadian Journal of Sociology Online, January-February, 1-5.
Savelson, A., VanWynsberghe, R., Frankish, J., & Folz, H. (2005). Application of a health promotion model to community-based sustainability planning. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 10(6), 629-647.
Moore, J., Pagani, F., Quayle, M., Robinson, J., Sawada, B., Spiegelman, G., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2005). Recreating the university from within: Collaborative reflections on the University of British Columbia’s engagement with sustainability. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 6(1), 65-80.
VanWynsberghe, R., Moore, J., Tansey, J., & Carmichael, J. (2003). Towards community engagement: Six steps to expert learning for future scenario development. Futures, 35(3), 203-219.
Tansey, J., Carmichael, J., VanWynsberghe, R., & Robinson, J. (2002). The future is not what it used to be: Participatory integrated assessment in the Georgia Basin. Global Environmental Change, 12(2), 97-104.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2001). The ‘unfinished story:’ Narratively analyzing collective action frames in social movements. Qualitative Inquiry, 7(6), 733-744.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Cassivi, M. (2000). Critical thinking in the introductory sociology classroom: Some teaching tips. Academic Exchange Quarterly, 4(3), 124-130.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2000). Sustainability in proximity to industry: The case of critical events in Walpole Island. American Indian Culture and Research Journal, 24(1), 121-135.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Matthew, R. (1999). Leisure as the basis for community: Cohousing, sustainability and diversity. The Journal of Urban Labour and Leisure Studies, 1(1), 7-16.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Meier, K. V. (1998). Tlatelolco: La politica y el comite Olimpico Internacional. Memoria: Revista mensual de politica y cultura, 115, 26-35.
(a) Journals
Derom, I. VanWynsberghe, R., & Scheerder, J. (2013). Who participates now and in the future? A case study of the Tour of Flanders Cyclo. Sport Policy & Management, 17.
VanWynsberghe, R., Gatzeva, M., Kwan, B., & Sparks, R. (2009). Olympic Games Impact. Olympic Review – Official Publication of the Olympic Movement, 73, 46-49.
VanWynsberghe R. (2006). The Olympic Games: A home for a sustainable ‘mega-event’ [Newsletter article]. Social Planning and Research Council BC News, Winter, 8-10.
(b) Conference Proceedings
VanWynsberghe, R. (2003). Service learning and sociology: Building and sustaining bridges between volunteer work and the classroom. In Proceedings of Adult Higher Education Alliance Conference (pp. 121-139).
(c) Other
OGI Research Reports
VanWynsberghe, R., & Olympic Games Impact Research Group. (2013). Olympic Games impact study: Post-Games results. University of British Columbia. 235 pp.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Olympic Games Impact Research Group. (2011). Olympic Games impact study: Games time results report. University of British Columbia. 165 pp.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Olympic Games Impact Research Group. (2009). Olympic Games impact study: Pre-Games results report. International Olympic Committee. 225 pp.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Olympic Games Impact Research Group. (2009). Olympic Games impact study: Technical report University of British Columbia. 151 pp.
Book Reviews
VanWynsberghe, R. (2003). Review of Hidden academics: Contract faculty in Canadian universities by Indhu Rajagopal. Canadian Journal of Sociology, May-June. Available here.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2000). Review of The story of leisure: Context, concepts and current controversy by Jay S. Shivers and Lee J. DeLisle. Leisure Studies Journal, 19(1), 60-61.
Encyclopedia Entries
VanWynsberghe, R. (1999). Skating. In T. Pendergast and S. Pendergast (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Popular Culture (p. 579). Seattle, WA: St. Gale Press.
Briefing Report
VanWynsberghe, R., Sparks, R., Baker, K., & Olympic Games Impact Research Group. (2009). Briefing session report: Lesson learned from Vancouver 2010 OGI report 1 (pre-Games report). Lausanne, CH: International Olympic Committee. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia.
Research Reports
VanWynsberghe R. (2013). Green jobs for the disadvantaged: Strategies to address social and economic needs. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. 37 pp.
Frankish, J., Kwan, B., & VanWynsberghe, R. (2010). “Two Solitudes” – The 2010 Vancouver Olympics and inner city inclusivity commitments report. Centre for Population Health Promotion Research. 84 pp.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2005). White paper: First Nations and Inuit peoples of Canada and tobacco taxation. Ottawa: Health Canada and National Cancer Institute of Canada. 28 pp.
Cohen, S., Kuljarni, T., VanWynsberghe, R., Tansey, J., & Carmichael, J. (2001). Report to Environment Canada: Climate change adaptation in the Okanagan. 75 pp.
VanWynsberghe R., & Urmetzer, P. (2000). Vancouver agreement report: Perceptions of well-being, crime and victimization in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. 66 pp.
Computer Software and Database
VanWynsberghe, R., & Khan, S. (2007). Database: Cross-case comparisons and contrasts (Version 2.0).
Program Proposals
VanWynsberghe, R. (2011). Program proposal: Undergraduate minor in sustainability, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia. University Sustainability Initiative.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2005). Program proposal: Master of Sustainability Leadership. Great Northern Way Campus Sustainability Committee.
(a) Authored
VanWynsberghe, R. (2002). AlterNatives: Sustainability, environmental justice, and collective identity on Walpole Island. Boston, MA: Allyn Bacon Press.
(b) Chapters
VanWynsberghe R., & Pentifallo, C. (2014). “Leaving Las Megas” or can sustainability ever be social?: Vancouver 2010 in Post-Political Perspective. In J. Grix (Ed.), Leveraging legacies from sports mega-events (pp. 73-84). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
VanWynsberghe R., & Pentifallo, C. (2014). Insights and investigations of the social legacies in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games: The Olympic Games Impact (OGI) Study. In K. Young & C. Okada (Eds.), Research in the Sociology of Sport, Volume 8: Sport, social development and peace (pp. 245-275). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing.
Derom, I., VanWynsberghe, R., & Minnaert, L. (in press; accepted in May 2014 and to be published in 2015). Residents, community groups, schools, and activists: Impacts of sport mega-events. In M. M. Parent & J. L. Chappelet (Eds.), Routledge handbook of sports event management (TBD). New York: Routledge.
DeLisio, A., Derom, I., & VanWynsberghe, R. (in press; accepted in April 2014 and to be published in October 2014). Mandating action: Social leveraging the 2010 Winter Olympic moment. In P. Safai, J. Baker & J. Fraser-Thomas (Eds.), Health and elite sport: Is high performance sport a healthy pursuit? (TBD). New York: Routledge.
VanWynsberghe, R., Edwards, S., & Jacobs, D. (2012). Duty to consult: Native environmental justice and Walpole Island. In Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (Eds.), Hidden in plain sight: Contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canadian identity and culture (Volume II) (pp. 135-150). Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
VanWynsberghe, R., Derom, I., & Maurer, E. (2010). Leveraging of the 2010 Olympic Games: “Sustainability” in a City of Vancouver initiative. In R. K. Barney, J. Forsyth & M. K. Heine (Eds.), Rethinking matters Olympic: Investigations into the socio-cultural study of the modern Olympic movement (pp. 209-223). London, ON: International Centre for Olympic Studies.
Zandvliet, D., Moore, J., VanWynsberghe, R., & Holden, M. (2006). Learning about sustainability through design and technology education: The sustainable design award. In W. L. Filho (Ed.), Environmental education, communication and sustainability (pp. 314-320).
Hamburg: Peter Lang.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2001). Critical thinking in the introductory sociology classroom: Some teaching tips. In S. Hagedorn (Ed.), Sound instruction: Ready to use classroom practice (pp. 214-219). Chattenooga, TN: Rapid Intellect.
VanWynsberghe, R. (2001). Organizing a community response to environmental injustice: The case of Walpole Island’s heritage centre. In R. K. Schutt & S. Hartwell (Eds.), Research in social problems and public policy (Volume 9) (pp. 221-243). New York: JAI Press.
VanWynsberghe, R., & Ritchie, I. C. (1998). (Ir)Relevant rings: The symbolic consumption of the Olympic logo in postmodern media culture. In G. Rail (Ed.), Sport and postmodern times (pp. 367-384). New York: State University of New York Press.
VanWynsberghe, R. (1998). Culture, ideology and social movements. In L. Pertusati & P. McGuire (Eds.), Second dimension: A sociology reader (pp. 231-245). New York: Kendall-Hunt. VanWynsberghe, R., & Ritchie, I. C. (1994). Hyperreality reigns: Advertising and the Olympic logo. In K. V. Meier (Ed.), Critical reflections on Olympic ideology (pp. 147-165). London, ON: International Centre for Olympic Studies.
(a) Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Pentifallo, C., & VanWynsberghe, R. (TBD). Can Sustainability ever be social? Vancouver 2010 in post-political perspective. International Journal of the Sociology of Sport.
(b) Books
VanWynsberghe, R., & Herman, A. C. (2016). Adaptive Education: An Inquiry-Based Institution. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
“Indeed the future has already broken into the present. We each live in many times. The present of one is the past of another, and the future of yet another. We are called to live, knowing and showing that the future exists and that each one of us can call it in, when we are willing, to redress the balance of the past.”
– Ivan Illich, Celebration of awareness (1970)