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

Object of the Week: A Barbie Girl in a Barbie World…Cup?

25 May 2022

Uma Ghelani takes a look at the quartet of dolls lining up for Mattel ahead of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

150 years of the FA Cup

11 May 2022

Ahead of the 150th anniversary of the first FA Cup final, we take a look at three iconic objects from our collection.

Object of the Week: Jack Charlton’s tracksuit

6 May 2022

Charlotte Micklethwaite looks at one of our favourite objects from the 1972 FA Cup Final: the pre-match tracksuit worn by Jackie Charlton.

Object of the Week: Pauline Cope’s cap

7 April 2022

Tobin O'Connor looks at the career of a Lionesses legend, goalkeeper Pauline Cope, and considers her contribution to the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Sheila Parker’s England cap, 1972

29 March 2022

One of the first ever official caps handed out to an England Women side. This one belonged to the national side's first ever official captain...

In Conversation with Hannah Kumari

2 March 2022

ENG-ER-LAND playwright and actor Hannah Kumari In Conversation with Anwar Uddin, former professional footballer, FA Council Member and Campaign Manager for The Football Supporters Association’s (FSA) Fans For Diversity, a campaign Uddin set up six years ago which works to promote inclusivity in football.