English

The Institute of Sports Sciences of the University of Lausanne (ISSUL) is part of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. It has become a centre of excellence both in training and research.

The ISSUL is an interfaculty institute, linked to the faculties of both SSP and Biology and Medicine. It offers bachelor's and master's programmes, with 5 pathways (teaching, adapted physical activities and health, social sciences, training and performance, sports and leisure management), and a doctorate. It is able to offer excellent opportunities for practical sports training, as it has leading experts in each sport and an exceptional environment, with high-quality sports centres and training grounds, and Lake Geneva and the Alps close to the campus.

The quality of teaching is also high, informed by the dynamism of the research carried out by teachers at ISSUL. Their work covers sociology, psychology, sports management, leisure and countryside, and the history of sport, as well as physiology, sports medicine, biomechanics of physical exercise and motor control. ISSUL members have published their research in leading journals and with highly respected publishers. They also carry out work on behalf of national and international organizations. Lausanne is unique in terms of the number of institutions there, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Museum and numerous international federations.

The mission of the ISSUL is as follows:

• Bring together and energize action in the field of sport sciences and forge links with a range of external partners the IOC, sports federations, foundations, institutions, etc);
• Develop basic and applied research in its fields, to create and / or participate in skills’ networks;
• Offer services and expertise to public and private partners, and carry out work on their behalf;
• Ensure consistency and coherence in programmes of study developed by the Sports Education Committee;
• Develop programmes of continuing education in the field of sports sciences, working with the International Academy of Sport Sciences and Technologies (AISTS).

Interdisciplinary Centre for Sports Research (www.unil.ch/centre-sport)

This research centre officially opened early in 2016, as “plateforme-sport". It aims to bring together researchers from the seven UNIL faculties working on or interested in the theme of sport (interpreted broadly, to include: sport performance, sport health, leisure sport etc)

ISSUL is a member of HEPA Europe, a European network of experts in physical activity and health, which works closely with the European office of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Nicolas Bancel
Director of ISSUL