Breakthrough Academic Alliance Launches PhD in Sports Science

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Levinsky-Wingate Academic Center have signed a landmark agreement to launch a joint doctoral program in sports research. As part of the program, each participating student will receive an annual scholarship of 60,000 NIS for the duration of their studies.

The initiative marks a significant step forward in promoting interdisciplinary academic collaboration in Israel, particularly in areas where sports intersects with medicine, engineering, and psychology. Researchers from both institutions will jointly supervise the doctoral students, and research will be conducted across laboratories at both campuses in accordance with individualized research plans approved by the advisors. Graduates will receive a doctoral degree awarded by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, with the diploma indicating that the program was undertaken in partnership with the Levinsky-Wingate Academic Center.

The partnership reflects a shared vision of advancing scientific inquiry in the field of sports. In recent years, Ben-Gurion University has positioned itself at the forefront of this effort, establishing Israel’s first Center for the Study of Sport Diplomacy to deepen understanding of the complex relationship between sports and international relations. The university also continues to invest in athletic excellence on campus, operating the Sylvan Adams Sports Center, which underwent extensive renovations and upgrades last year, and supporting the development of competitive university sports teams.

The Levinsky-Wingate Academic Center is recognized as Israel’s leading institution for academic training in sports, physical education, coaching, movement rehabilitation, active recreation, dance, and health. Its longstanding expertise in preparing professionals in these fields makes it a natural partner for an ambitious and applied research program of this kind.

Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, President of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, describing it as “another milestone in BGU’s ongoing commitment to expanding and strengthening interdisciplinary research in Israel.” He added that the new doctoral program “will elevate the field of sports research and serve as a platform for training a new generation of outstanding researchers,” calling the partnership “an expression of our values—excellence, innovation, and meaningful contribution to Israeli society.”

Prof. Roni Lidor, President of the Levinsky-Wingate Academic Center, underscored the potential of the initiative to enhance scientific knowledge in key areas. “This is a significant step forward that will boost Israeli research in sports and advance scientific understanding in vital domains such as sports and medicine, engineering, and psychology. The combination of BGU’s research excellence and our unique experience as the country’s leading academic institution in the field of sport will ensure that doctoral students receive top-tier research training. This program will help develop a new generation of researchers who will lead sports science forward in Israel and beyond. We are proud of this collaboration and of the generous scholarships that will support students in realizing their full academic potential.”

Prof. Orna Brown-Levinson, Dean of the Kreitman School of Advanced Graduate Studies at BGU, noted that the agreement marks a significant milestone in the strengthening of institutional partnerships in the fields of sports science, education, and health. “What makes this agreement unique is its fusion of academic research excellence with applied specialization, creating a doctoral path tailored to the complex challenges of the 21st century. It is a groundbreaking initiative that will enable researchers to delve into multidisciplinary research through a truly exceptional academic partnership.”

Prof. Reli Hershkovitz, Dean of BGU’s Faculty of Health Sciences, spoke to the health-related implications of the agreement, stressing that “enhancing sports research holds real clinical and physical significance in the health field. The collaboration is expected to drive forward research in areas such as physical rehabilitation, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and to strengthen the practical application of these fields in real-world settings. In addition, the agreement seeks to expand the number of students pursuing studies in these critical health professions.”