ABSTRACT

This book is the first to take an in-depth examination of events and well-being, adopting a much-needed critical approach to the study of events. It uses empirical case studies to help us better understand how events foster positive well-being or counter negative well-being for event organisers, participants, spectators, volunteers and even non-attending local residents.

While researchers have long understood socialisation as the major motivation to attend contemporary festivals and events, it is only just being acknowledged that well-being is also a key motivator. Those researching in the field of event studies are yet to clearly articulate "the how, why, where, and impacts of socialisation." This multidisciplinary book draws together empirical research across a range of event types and sizes, from music festivals to mega sports events, to provide a nuanced understanding of their contribution to the well-being of individuals and communities. Case studies are drawn from around the world and apply a diverse range of theoretical lenses to the conceptualisation of well-being as it applies to events and methodologies used to achieve research aims and objectives.

This significant volume will be valuable reading for students and academics in the fields of sport studies, critical event studies, queer studies, cultural studies, tourism, music, sociology and end-of-life studies.

part I|169 pages

Events and fostering positive well-being

chapter 4|21 pages

How a sports event can impact participants’ subjective well-being

The case of the Pacific Games – Samoa 2019

chapter 6|17 pages

Advice for Advent in Zagreb organisers

Insight into well-being and quality of life

chapter 9|19 pages

The lure of vinyl

Spinning ‘open decks’ events for well-being outcomes

chapter 10|19 pages

Music festivals

An immersive experience. How are emotions, well-being and cultural identity interrelated in event experiences?

part II|69 pages

Events and countering negative well-being

chapter 11|17 pages

Well-being through art

A critical reflection on how a body image art event can improve the health and well-being of gay men

chapter 13|23 pages

Touring academic events with a tiny house “conference fringe”

Artistic welcome in a mobile storytelling shed as relational research into invisibility and (non-)belonging