Personal profile
Academic Biography
Dr Leon Davis is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Events Management at Teesside University International Business School. He was awarded his PhD in Sports Event Sociology from Teesside University in 2020.
Leon’s research interests cover several fields across sports and events including fandom, consumption/prosumption, event marketing, strategic management, historical perspectives on sport and tourism. His PhD explored the critical role of fans at live sports events, namely PDC darts events, and he examined how their actions were crucial to the live event spectacle created by a number of broadcasters such as Sky Sports.
Prior to his academic career, Leon worked in the sport and leisure sector in health and fitness for the likes of Nuffield Health, Virgin Active, and Fitness First. He also worked in online media for companies at music events and festivals across the UK and Europe. He then progressed in FE before starting his HE career at the University of Northampton in 2013. He has also worked at Leeds Beckett University and the University of Lincoln.
Leon has taught many modules including Event Planning, Event Production, Event Legacy, Consumer Culture, Sport and Leisure Management, Sustainability in Sport and Tourism, Live Event Management, Research Methods, Strategic Management, and Enterprise Analysis. Other teaching and research commitments include supervision of research projects at PhD, DBA, Masters and undergraduate levels.
Leon is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Academic Achievements
Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
DMI Level 5 Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing
Level 4 Certificate to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (CTLLS)
Level 3 Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
Summary of Research Interests
Fandom
Sports Events
Live Event Management
Consumer Culture
Prosumption
Impact of COVID-19 on live events
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Teesside University
Award Date: 1 Dec 2020
Master, Sheffield Hallam University
Award Date: 1 Oct 2012
Bachelor, Sheffield Hallam University
Award Date: 1 Jul 2007