Professor Gy艖z艖 Molnár

dr-gyozo-molnar

Professor of Sociology of Sport and Exercise

School of Sport and Exercise Science

Professors

Academics

Contact Details

email: g.molnar@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 855024

Professor Gy艖z艖 Molnár is the Lead of the Adapted Physical Activity Research Unit (APARU) and a critical sociologist of sport whose research challenges how we understand ability, inclusion, and participation in sport and physical activity.

Since joining Worcester in 2008, Gy艖z艖 has established an international reputation for participatory research by working closely with marginalised communities, including disabled people, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, migrant athletes, and women in male-dominated sports. His work addresses health inequalities, sport migration, nationalism, and gender politics through co-production methodologies that prioritise community sovereignty over knowledge production.

Gy艖z艖 has published 50+ articles and book chapters, co-edited five Routledge books including The Routledge Handbook of Gender Politics in Sport and Physical Activity (2022), and supervised 10 doctoral students to completion. He currently leads a British Academy-funded UK-Sweden-Hungary research network, serves on the ONS Research Advisory Group on Roma Lived Experiences, and holds roles as Research Ethics Panel Chair and UoA 24 Lead for REF 2029.

As APARU Lead, Gy艖z艖 is building Worcester's profile as a leading UK centre for adapted physical activity research grounded in social justice and community partnership.

Qualifications:

  • PhD (Loughborough University, UK)
  • MSc (Miami University, Ohio, US)
  • MPE (University of Pecs, Hungary)
  • HEA Fellow
  • UKCGE Recognised Research Supervisor

Teaching & Research

Teaching Interests:

Gy艖z艖 has extensive experience in teaching in the areas of sociology of sport and exercise and qualitative research methods.

Research Interests:

Gy艖z艖 has a keen research interest in serving and empowering marginalised population by engaging with participatory research practices that help people become integral part of research projects beyond the traditional participant role.  His research projects include:

  • Ethnic categorisation of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities (Understanding Patient Data Funded)
  • Evaluation of the 2023 Invictus Games (Royal British Legion Funded)
  • Whose knowledge counts in Adapted Physical Activity? (British Academy funded)
  • Migration and history of male Hungarian professional football players
  • Migratory trends of male Fijian rugby players
  • Socio-cultural challenges of women in post-colonial societies

Professional Bodies

  • Fellow of the
  • Association for the Study of Sport and the European Union
  • Recognised Research Supervisor of UK Council for Graduate Education
  • 51视频 LGBTQ+ Ally

Publications

Articles:

Whigham, S. & Molnár, G. (under review). The power of the badge’? Sport as a vehicle for social integration of migrants in England and Hungary", World Leisure Journal,

Fabian, T. & Molnár, G. (2026). Deep Culture, Deep Kurultáj: Turanism, Muscular Nationalism, and Heritage Nostalgia in Hungary. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics,

Molnár, G. et al. (2026). Recognition and Risk: Ethnic Monitoring, Healthcare Access, and Everyday Discrimination in Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Communities in the UK. Sociology of Health and Illness,

Zhou, C., Bairner, A., & Molnár, G. (2026). From the School Gym to Adulthood: Gendered Pathways of Physical Education and Post-Divorce Physical Activity in China. Sport, Education and Society,

Hertting, K. & Molnár, G. (2025). From Abuse to Unity: National Belonging, and the 2018 Durmaz Affair in Swedish Football. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 0(0).

Thomas, G., Guinan, J., Lord. R. & Molnár, G. (2025). Aspiring Against the Odds: Women Strength and Conditioning Coaches in a Gendered Landscape. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 0(0). (DOI: )

Zhou, C., Bairner, A., & Molnár, G. (2025). Organizational and personal barriers to physical activity: an intersectional analysis of divorced single mothers in China’s IT and Internet industries. Sport, Education and Society, 30(9), 1196–1209.

Mycock, G., Foye, U., Edwards, C., & Molnár, G. (2025). Men’s Formal Help-Seeking for Eating and/or Body Image Psychopathology: A Systematic Review of Barriers and Facilitators. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 34(1), 45-77.

Burgess, B., Vinson, D., Richardson, E., & Molnár, G. (2025). Utilising the ecological–intersectional model to identify the factors that impact LGBTQ+ coaches’ experiences in sport. Sport, Education and Society, 1 30(9), 1150–1164.

Edwards, C., Molnár, G. & Tod, D. (2024). Searching for meaning: British men’s stories of long-term androgenic-anabolic steroid use. Performance Enhancement & Health. 12(3),

Davis, G., Gaskin, K., Molnár, G., & Bentley, J. (2024). Places of Farewell: A Scoping Review Exploring Factors Influencing the Choice of Place of Death for Children when Death is Expected. Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing, 47(3), 151–169.

Thomas, G., Kavaliauskas, M., Molnár, G. & Lord, R. (2024). TOWARDS SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE EDUCATION INFORMED BY SOCIOLOGY. The Sport and Exercise Scientist (Summer), 32-34.

Burgess, B., Molnár, G., Vinson, D. & Richardson, E.V. (2024). The realities of utilising participatory research and creative methods to explore the experiences of non-heterosexual coaches, Sports Coaching Review, DOI:

Molnár, G. (2023). Nationalism, necropolitics and sport intersection in Hungary: building fences, but expanding nationhood. National Identities.

Thomas, G., Devine, K., & Molnár, G. (2023). Experiences and Perceptions of Women Strength and Conditioning Coaches: A Scoping Review. International Sport Coaching Journal, 10(1), 78-90. Retrieved Oct 30, 2025, from

Spencer, N. L. I., & Molnár, G. (2022). Whose Knowledge Counts? Examining Paradigmatic Trends in Adapted Physical Activity Research. Quest, 74(1), 1–16.

Edwards, C., Molnár, G. & Tod, D. (2022). Searching for ontological security: women’s experiences leading to high drive for muscularity. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise & Health, 14(4), 609-627.

Thomas, G., Guinan, J. & Molnár, G. (2021). ‘It’s not particularly P.C., you know…’ Women coaches’ performing gender in strength and conditioning. Women in Sport and Physical Activity, 29(2): 106- 116.

Mycock, D. & Molnár, G. (2021). “The blind leading the blind” – A reflection on coaching blind football. EUJAPA. 14(1), 3. doi.: 10.5507/euj.2020.011

Molnar, G. & Whigham, S. (2021). Radical Right Populist Politics in Hungary: Reinventing the Magyars through Sport. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. 56(1), 133–148.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2019). ‘Representing’ the Voices of Fijian Women Rugby Players: Limits and Potentials of Research as a Transformative Act. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. 55(4), 399–415.

Faulkner, C., Molnar, G. & Kohe, G. (2019). ‘I just go on Wi-Fi’: Imagining worlds through professional basketball migrants’ deployment of information and communication technology. Journal of Sport and Social Issues. 43(3), 195–218.

Postlethwaite, V., Kohe, G. & Molnar, G. (2019). Mechanics of Inspiring a Generation: A stakeholder evaluation of London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics educational programmes. Managing Sport and Leisure. 23 (4-6), 391-407.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2017) Private Military and Security Labour Migration: the Case of Fiji. International Migration. 55 (4). pp. 154-170.

Benkwitz, A. & Molnar, G. (2017). The Emergence and Development of Association Football: Influential Sociocultural Factors in Victorian Birmingham. Soccer and Society. 18(7): 1027-1044.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2017). Double-trouble: Negotiating Gender and Sexuality in Post-colonial Women’s Rugby. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. 52(4), 430–446.

Edwards, C., Tod, D., Molnar, G. & Markland, D. (2016). Predicting Muscularity-Related Behaviour, Emotions, and Cognitions in Men: The Role of Psychological Need Thwarting, Drive for Muscularity, and Mesomorphic Internalization. Body Image.

Edwards, C., Molnar, G. & Tod, D. (2016). Searching for Masculine Capital: Experiences Leading to High Drive for Muscularity in Men. Psychology of Men and Masculinity.

Tod, D., Edwards, C., G., Molnar & Markland, D. (2016). Perceived Social Pressures and the Internalization of the Mesomorphic Ideal: The Role of Drive for Muscularity and Autonomy. Body Image. 16: 63-69.

Molnar, G. & Kanemasu, Y. (2014). Playing on the global periphery: Social scientific explorations of rugby in the Pacific Islands. Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science. 3(3):175-185.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2014). Life after Rugby: Issues of being an ‘ex’ in Fiji rugby. The International Journal of the History of Sport. 31(11): 1389-1405.

Edwards, C., Tod, D. & Molnar, G. (2014). A Systematic Review of the Drive for Muscularity Research Area. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 7(1): 18-41.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2013). Problematising the dominant: the emergence of alternative cultural voices in Fiji rugby. Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science. 2(1): 14-30.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2013). Collective Identity and Contested Allegiance: A Case of Migrant Professional Fijian Rugby Players. Sport in Society. 16(7): 863-882.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2013). Pride of the People: Fijian rugby labour migration and cultural identity. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 48(6): 720–735.

Benkwitz, A. & Molnar, G. (2012). Socio-cultural approaches to interpreting football rivalries. Soccer and Society. 13(4): 479-794.

Butt, J. & Molnar, G. (2009). Involuntary Career Termination in Sport: A Case Study of the Process of Structurally Induced Failure. Sport in Society. 12(2): 236-252.

Molnar, G. & Bryson, J. (2009). Enhancing processual learning: some observations on teaching research skills. The Journal of Pedagogical Research and Scholarship. 1(2): 26-33.

Soós, I., Hamar, P., Molnár, G., Biddle, S. & Sándor, I. (2008). Erdélyi tanulók fizikai aktivitásának és inaktivitásának vizsgálata EMA (Ecological Momentary Assessment) módszerrel [An Investigation into Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviours in Transylvanian Students by Using EMA (Ecological Momentary Assessment)]. Magyar Sporttudomanyi Szemle. 9(4): 20-24.

Molnar, G. & Gal, A. (2008). A sporttal kapcsolatos migráció általános áttekintése [Sport-related Migration: A General Overview]. Magyar Sporttudomanyi Szemle. 9(3). 12-15.

Molnar, G. & Maguire, J. (2008). Hungarian Footballers on the Move: Issues of and Observations on the First Migratory Phase. Sport in Society. 11(1): 74-89.

Soos, I.; Molnar, G. & Hamar, P. (2007). Közeledjünk az „új” Európai Uniós modell felé, vagy ragaszkodjunk a „jól bevált” magyarhoz? Gondolatok a magyarországi testnevelés és szabadid艖sportok szocio-kulturális kihívásairól [Should We Adopt the „New” EU Model or Should We Retain the „Good-Old” Hungarian One? Preliminary Observations on the Socio-cultural Challenges in Physical Education and Leisure Activities in Hungary]. Magyar Sporttudomanyi Szemle. 8(4): 33-35.

Molnar, G. & Bryson, J. (2007). A Hands-on Approach to Learning Fundamental Research Skills. The Journal of Pedagogical Research and Scholarship. 1(1): 71-73.

Molnar, G. & Bryson, J. (2007). TLC Project Assessment Case Study: Poster.

Molnar, G. (2007). Hungarian Football: A Socio-Historical Perspective. Sport in History. 27(2): 293-318.

Molnar, G. (2006). Mapping Migrations: Hungary Related Migrations of Professional Footballers after the Collapse of Communism. Soccer & Society. 7(4): 463-485.

Molnar, G. (2006). A Beginners’ Guide to Hungarian Football. Soccer History. 13(Winter 2005-06): 22-25.

 

Books:    

Molnár, G. (in prep). Sociology of Sport and Exercise: An Introduction (2nd Ed.). Oxon: Routledge.

Fabian, T., Clift, B.C. & Molnár, G. (in prep). Body Politic: Sport, Masculinity, and Popular Politics. Vernon.

Molnár, G. & Bullingham, R. (eds.) (2022). Routledge Handbook of Politics of Gender in Sport and Physical Activity. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnar, G., Amin, S. & Kanemasu, Y. (eds.) (2018). Women, Sport and Exercise in the Asia-Pacific Region: Oppression – Resistance – Accommodation. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnar, G. & Purdy, L. (eds.) (2016). Ethnographies in Sport and Exercise Research. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnar, G. & Kanemasu, Y. (eds.) (2014). Special Issue: Playing on the global periphery: Social scientific explorations of rugby in the Pacific Islands. Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science. 3(3): 175-276.

Molnar, G. & Kelly, J. (2013). Sociology of Sport and Exercise: An Introduction. Oxon: Routledge.

Bairner, A. & Molnar, G. (eds.) (2010). Politics of the Olympics: A Survey. London: Routledge.

 

Book Chapters:     

Spencer, N.L.I. & Molnár, G. (2026). Ontological, epistemological, axiological considerations when using qualitative methods for researching disability in physical education. In: Maher, A.J., Haegele, J.A., Coates, J. (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Qualitative Methods for Researching Disability in Physical Education. Routledge.

Spencer, N. L. I. & Molnár, G. (2024). Adapted Physical Activity. In Routledge Encyclopaedia of Sport Studies. Routledge.

Mycock, D., Harding, G., Williams, C. & Molnár, G. (2024). Working with Disabilities in Youth Grassroots Soccer. In: Duncan, M., Noon, M. & Seabra, A. (eds.), Science and Practice of Youth Soccer. London: Routledge.

Yamashita, T. & Postlethwaite, V. & Molnár, G. (2023). Winter Sports and Japan: Representations of Japanese and International Winter Sporting Cultures. In: Macnaughtan, H. & Postlethwaite, V.(eds.), Handbook of Sport and Japan. Japan Documents Publishing.

Bright, C. & Molnár, G. (2023). Neo-tribes in a Type One Diabetes Football Online Community. In: Roberts, W., Whigham, S., Parnell, D., & Culvin, A. (eds.), Critical Issues in Football a Sociological Analysis of the Beautiful Game. Routledge.

Molnár, G. (2022). Sport, Labour and Migration. In: Wenner, L. (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Sport and Society. Oxford University Press.

Molnar, G., & Doczi, T. (2020). A transitology of Hungarian Football. In E. Rojo-Labaien, Á. Rodríguez-Díaz & J. Rookwood (eds.), Sport, Statehood and Transition in Europe: Comparative perspectives from post-Soviet and post-socialist societies (pp. 11-26). London: Routledge.

Kanemasu, Y. & Molnar, G. (2020). Against All Odds: Fijiana’s Flight from Zero to Hero in the Rugby World Cup? In: Harris, J. and Wise, N. (eds.), Rugby in Global Perspective: Playing on the Periphery. Oxon Routledge.

Molnar, G., Amin, S. & Kanemasu, Y. (2018). Introduction: Rest and the West – present absence of non-Western research. In: Molnar, G., Amin, S. & Kanemasu, Y. (eds.), Women, Sport and Exercise in the Asia-Pacific Region: Oppression – Resistance – Accommodation. Oxon: Routledge.

Kanemasu, Y., Johnson, J. & G. Molnar (2018). Fiji's Women Rugby Players: Finding Motivation in a ‘Hostile’ Environment. In: Molnar, G., Amin, S. & Kanemasu, Y. (eds.), Women, Sport and Exercise in the Asia-Pacific Region: Oppression – Resistance – Accommodation. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnar, G. & Faulkner, C. (2016). Football Related Migrations. In Hughson, J. et al. (eds), Routledge Handbook of Football Studies. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnar, G. & Purdy, L. (2016). Introduction. In Molnar, G. & Purdy, L. (eds.), Ethnographies in Sport and Exercise Research. Oxon: Routledge.

Molnar, G. (2014). The League of Retirees: Foreigners’ Perception of Hungarian Pro Football. In Elliott, R. & Harris, J. (eds.), Football and Migration: Perspectives, places, players. Oxon: Routledge: 106 - 124.

Purdy, L., Molnar, G., Griffith, L. & Castle, P. (2014). Ilona: ‘Tweeting’ through cultural adjustments. In K. Armour (ed). Pedagogical Cases in Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity. Pearson: 222-234.

Edwards, C., Tod, D., Morrison, T. & Molnar, G. (2011). Drive For Muscularity: Current Perspectives. In D. Todd & D. Lavallee (Eds.), The Psychology of Strength and Conditioning. London: Routledge: 148-172.

Molnar, G., Doczi, T. & Gal, A. (2011). A Socio-structural Overview of Hungarian Football. In H. Gammelsæter and B. Senaux (eds.), The Organisation and Governance of Top Football Across Europe: An Institutional Perspective. London: Routledge: 253-267

Molnar, G. (2011). From the Soviet Bloc to the European Community: Migrating professional footballers in and out of Hungary. In J. Maguire M. & Falcous (eds.), Sport and Migration. London: Routledge: 56-70.

Molnar, G. (2010). Re-discovering Hungarianness: The Case of Elite Hungarian Footballers. In P. Dine & S. Crosson (eds.), Sport, Representation and Evolving Identities in Europe. Peter Lang: Witney: 239-262.

 

Book Reviews:

A. Schwell, N. Szogs, M. Z. Kowalska & M. Buchowski (Eds). New Ethnographies of Football in Europe: People, Passions, Politics. Palgrave MacMillan, 2016, Review published in Sport in Society (2016)

Ivan Waddington & Andy Smith, An Introduction to Drugs in Sport: Addicted to Winning? London: Routledge, 2009, Review published in The Sport & Exercise Scientist (Issue 30, Winter, 2011)

Ulrik Wagner, Rasmus K. Storm & John Hoberman (Eds.), Observing Sport: Modern System Theoretical Approaches. Schondorf: Hofmann-Verlag, 2010, Review published in Sport in Society (2011)

Stephen Wagg and David L. Andrews (eds.), East Plays West: Sport and the Cold War. London: Routledge, 2007, Review published in Sport in History (Issue 28(1): 200-203).

Chris Hallinan & John Hughson (eds.), Sporting Tales: Ethnographic Fieldwork Experiences. Australian Society for Sports History Studies in Sports History. No. 12 (Kwick Kopy Printing Centre, North Sydney NSW, 2001). Review published in British Society of Sport History Bulletin (Issue 25, Summer/Autumn, 2007: 47-49)

Pierre Lanfranchi & Matthew Taylor, Moving with the Ball: the Migration of Professional Footballers, Oxford, Berg, 2001, Review published in Sport in History (Vol. 26, No. 1, 2006: 175-177)

  

Media Exposure:

Expert contribution on Hungarian football and politics (2025): The Power of Propaganda – Tomasz Mortimer -

Expert interview on Hungarian football and politics (2025):

Travellers’ Times (2025)

Expert interview on Hungarian football and politics (2025):

Travellers’ Times (2025) Time for a Change in the ways that UK Health Services categorise Gypsies, Roma and Travellers. Available at:

Women in Sport podcast (Dec. 2022)

Expert interview on Hungarian football and politics (2021):

Radio interview on lack of exercise in adults, BBC Herefordshire & Worcestershire, 2017.

Life after Rugby: Fiji’s “Disposable Heroes”? Mai Life, issue no. 98, July 2015.

Playing in the Shadows: A Story of Women’s Rugby in Fiji Mai Life, issue no. 99, August 2015.

Radio interview on football violence, BBC Herefordshire & Worcestershire, 2013.

 

Government Reports:

Unwin, P., O’Driscoll, J., Hulmes, A., Hodgkins, S., McPhee, S., Cisneros, R. Bolton, J. & Molnár, G. (2025).

Postlethwaite, V., Kohe, G.Z. & Molnár, G. (2021). How should the success of major cultural and sporting events be measured and what should their legacies be?

External Responsibilities

  • Research Advisory Group member (ONS) - The Lived Experiences of Roma people in England and Wales (2024)
  • Welcome Expert Reviewer, Early Career Fellowship, 2024
  • Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group Steering Group – Advisory Group member at Oxford Brookes University, 2022
  • Women’s Sport Leadership High Performance Coaches – International Advisory Group Member, 2021
  • External Reviewer for UKCGE Research Supervision Recognition Programme, 2021
  • Leverhulme Postdoctoral Grant Application Referee, 2020/2021
  • Leading Fellows Postdoc Programme External Reviewer, 2019