a leading sport business management academic, researcher, and industry advisor with a distinguished track record in higher education, sport policy, and social justice advocacy—currently serving as Senior Lecturer in Sport Business Management at Leeds Beckett University. A Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he specializes in digital football cultures, sport governance, social justice, and fan studies, with a prolific body of work including edited Routledge handbooks, 15+ refereed journal articles, and keynote addresses at global events (e.g., World Leisure Congress).   With over 15 years of academic leadership, Dr. Lawrence has led undergraduate and postgraduate programs (e.g., BA Sport Management, MA Football Studies) at institutions like Birmingham Newman University and Solent University, developing CIMSPA-endorsed curricula and supervising PhD students focused on sport equity and fan activism. His research drives real-world impact: he secured grants totaling £315k+ (e.g., European Social Fund, Disability Football Collective) to explore issues like British South Asian representation in football governance and disabled inclusion in sport leadership.