This book explores the gap in knowledge which exists around the social composition and informal social practices of Canadian university boards, despite them playing a significant role in the bicameral model of governance in Canadian higher education. By examining rich empirical data from a sociological perspective, it offers unique insight into the structures, practices, and norms which determine the work of Canadian university boards and their role in the strategic management and societal integration of universities. A structural-functionalist approach is taken to understanding how boards, institutions, and individual board members perceive the board’s responsibilities in relation to university policy, accountability, and public interest. Comparison is also drawn to emergent structures of governance in European higher education. The authors draw on and synthesis the work of Jones as others to provide an interpretative historical summary of governance over the last century, with the addition of a unique sociological gaze. An important and original contribution to the field which paves the way for future and much-needed research around understanding of how Canadian university boards work, it will appeal to scholars and researchers with interests across higher education, international and comparative education, and the sociology of education.

This book assesses the transformation of football fan culture from a gender perspective. Referring to the notions of homosociality, hegemonic masculinity and performative perspectives on gender and fandom, it investigates the processes of women entering the world of football fandom. Drawing on multidimensional qualitative and quantitative research, the book analyses different aspects of female fandom, such as women's socialisation to be a fan, building their sense of fan identity, ways of performing fandom, and gender. Also, it explores the response of male fans by shedding light on the sense-making process of a growing number of female fans in the stands and its consequences for prevailingly male football culture. This study stands out for its richness and diversity of empirical material used in order to make a significant contribution to our understanding of social dynamics related to the changing nature of female football fandom. The book is fascinating reading for researchers and students in a broad range of areas, including gender studies, sociology of sport, football, women's studies and Central Eastern European studies. It is also a valuable resource for scholars, and football and club authorities who have an interest in understanding the development of female football fandom and its impact on the male fandom community.

This book assesses the transformation of football fan culture from a gender perspective. Referring to the notions of homosociality, hegemonic masculinity and performative perspectives on gender and fandom, it investigates the processes of women entering the world of football fandom. Drawing on multidimensional qualitative and quantitative research, the book analyses different aspects of female fandom, such as women's socialisation to be a fan, building their sense of fan identity, ways of performing fandom, and gender. Also, it explores the response of male fans by shedding light on the sense-making process of a growing number of female fans in the stands and its consequences for prevailingly male football culture. This study stands out for its richness and diversity of empirical material used in order to make a significant contribution to our understanding of social dynamics related to the changing nature of female football fandom. The book is fascinating reading for researchers and students in a broad range of areas, including gender studies, sociology of sport, football, women's studies and Central Eastern European studies. It is also a valuable resource for scholars, and football and club authorities who have an interest in understanding the development of female football fandom and its impact on the male fandom community.