INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL INSTITUTE

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL INSTITUTE

As a national museum, the National Football Museum makes an important contribution to research and scholarship, regarding our understanding of football’s role in society. In addition, the interpretations offered by the Museum, in order to be publicly accessible and appealing, must be informed by a high level of curatorial scholarship and expertise.

In partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (uclan), the Museum has established the International Football Institute (IFI).  The International Football Institute seeks to advance research on all aspects of football, and to make this research available to the widest possible audience, nationally and internationally. IFI is headed by Professor John Hughson.

A number of major IFI research projects have been completed and many others are underway, including four PhDs.  IFI has held two major international academic conferences, one in partnership with UEFA. IFI has produced over fifty major publications to date.

The Museum also engages with the other leading centres for football research in the UK, including the FIFA-approved International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University. In addition, the Museum links closely with other leading academics at universities around the world, through the Academic Supporters Scheme.

A number of the leading academics on the history and cultural study of football have been recruited from the Academic Supporters Scheme to form an Academic Advisory Board. Headed by Professor John Hughson, this Academic Advisory Board will provide guidance to the development of the research strategy of the National Football Museum.

Link: International Football Institute

Objects of the Week: Coventry City

25 May 2023

Ahead of the Championship play-off final between Luton Town and Coventry City, we take a look at some of the Sky Blues-related objects at the National Football Museum and within our Football Heritage Collection.

Objects of the Week: Luton Town

25 May 2023

Ahead of the Championship play-off final between Luton Town and Coventry City, we take a look at some of the Hatters-related objects at the National Football Museum and within our Football Heritage Collection.

Wembley 100: “We’re going to Wembley!”

28 April 2023

As part of Wembley 100, Uma Ghelani takes a look at how public transport was advertised to travelling football fans in the twenties and thirties, specifically ahead of FA Cup Finals...

Wembley 100: The White Horse Final

27 April 2023

Callum Lane looks at the first ever game to be played at the old Wembley Stadium: the 1923 FA Cup Final - later known as the White Horse Final.

Wembley 100: Empire and royalty

27 April 2023

With the 100th anniversary of the original Wembley Stadium and King Charles III’s coronation falling within weeks of one another, we explore the links between Wembley, empire and royalty.

Wembley 100: Objects on display

24 April 2023

As part of Wembley 100, the National Football Museum takes a look at a century of the stadium's history - via objects you can see every day on our galleries.

IWM: Preston Ladies v Bolton Ladies match ball

10 March 2023

As part of our International Women's Month series, curator Dr Alex Jackson showcases a signed ball used in a fixture between Preston Ladies and Bolton Ladies, which took place in 1939: just two months after war broke out in Europe.

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