Jacob Griffiths
UCFB Manchester
Course Lecturer
Research Methods
Jacob completed his BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Sciences in 2019 and MSc in Sociology of Sport and Exercise in 2020, both at the University of Chester. Currently, Jacob is undertaking a PhD at the University of Chester, exploring the working lives of backroom staff in men’s professional football clubs in the United Kingdom.
He has worked in higher education for the past three years focussing on qualitative research methods and the sociology of sport, starting at UCFB in January 2024 as a Lecturer in Research Methods.
His research interests are primarily focussed on the working lives of those within the football industry, scouting and talent identification, sociology of sport, and qualitative research methods. Jacob is also the Editorial Assistant for the European Physical Education Review.
In addition to this, Jacob is a FA Level 2 and Professional Football Scouts Association Level 3 qualified football scout. He has experience working on behalf of professional football clubs in the United Kingdom as a first team scout.
Area of expertise
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Working Lives within Professional Football
- Talent Identification and Scouting
- Sociology of Sport
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Social Media as a Recruitment Tool
- Backroom Staff in Professional Football Clubs
- Talent Identification and Scouting
- Sociology of Sport
- Figurational Sociology and Sport
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Chester
- MSc Sociology of Sport and Exercise, University of Chester
- Currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Chester exploring the working lives of backroom staff at men’s professional football clubs in the United Kingdom.
- Member of the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA).
- Member of the Professional Football Scouts Association’s (PFSA) Scouting Network.
- Griffiths, J., & Bloyce, D. (2023). ‘If you haven’t got the contacts… you have no choice’: A figurational examination of unpaid work in football scouting in men’s professional football in England. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 58(1), 87-107.
- Griffiths, J., Bloyce, D., & Law, G. (2024). Social media participant recruitment within the football industry: The importance of being LinkedIn. Under Review.