Inspira podcast: Episode 9 - Alessio Norrito (Italy & UK)

Erika Mueller Chen speaks to Alessio Norrito about his experiences as a researcher in Sport for Development, and his PhD studies examining the role of football in the lives of refugees in Sicily.

About Inspira

Launched in January 2023, the Inspira Podcast with Erika Mueller Chen is an interview-based podcast that provides career advice and stories from global change-makers in sport for development, social impact, and the diplomatic service. In 2023, 50 interviews with inspirational leaders working in Sport for Development and Peace from over 35 different countries will be published.

About the Episode Guest

Alessio Norrito graduated in 2017 from the University of Westminster in International Business with Chinese, after spending one year in Shanghai as part of his studies. He then graduated from the University of Edinburgh in MSc Sport Policy, Management and International Development with distinction in 2018. After one further year working in Shanghai in the food & beverage industry, he then started his PhD at Loughborough University.

Alessio’s research focuses on the role of football in improving the lives of refugees in the Central Mediterranean area within the Sport for Development and Peace sector. In particular, he looks at football experiences and initiatives in Sicily, his home region. Other than being a doctoral researcher at Loughborough University, Alessio currently serves as the Managing Editor for the Journal of Sports for Development (JSFD). He also partners with different organizations in Sicily to translate research into practice, particularly focusing on matching the interest of refugee populations with the SDP programs and initiatives offered on the island.

Listen to Episode 9: Alessio Norrito (Italy & UK) - How are football & refugee migration related in Italy?

Learn More

To learn more about the Inspira Podcast, read episode transcripts, and access “Erika’s Global Resource Hub” - a robust written resource created to support folks interested in sport for development and peace, please visit Erika’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/erikamchen.

Erika Mueller Chen is an international development specialist with over a decade of experience leveraging the amazing power of sport to promote peace and positive social impact. She currently works in Sports Diplomacy and resides in Mexico.