The Center for Football and Social Research (CFSR) is a flagship project for the Cheeky Boys Institute functioning as a research center focusing on football and social issues. The center aims to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and address complex problems across fields such as football, social sciences, health and economics. The center is headed by Dr Tshiamo Ramalepa (PhD), who has a vast experience in health and social research. The CFSR core functions are in line with the vision of Cheeky Boys Institute. CFSR will achieve its aim through the following functions:
1. Conducting Research across various fields about football and social issues
Basic Research: Exploring fundamental principles and theories without immediate commercial applications.
Applied Research: Focused on practical applications and solutions to specific problems.
Interdisciplinary Research: Combining methods and insights from different disciplines to tackle multifaceted issues.
2. Generating Knowledge and Innovations
Discovery: Identifying new phenomena, processes, or insights.
Development: Creating new technologies, methodologies, or products based on research findings.
Publication: Disseminating research results through journals, conferences, and other platforms to share knowledge with the wider community.
3. Providing Education and Training
Workshops and Seminars: Conducting events to enhance the skills and knowledge of students, researchers, and professionals.
Public Outreach: Educating the general public about scientific and technological advancements and their implications.
4. Facilitating Collaboration
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bringing together researchers from different fields to foster innovation and holistic approaches to problems.
Industry Partnerships: Collaborating with businesses to translate research into marketable products and solutions.
International Cooperation: Working with global institutions to address worldwide challenges and share resources and expertise.
5. Providing Infrastructure and Resources
Laboratories and Equipment: Offering state-of-the-art facilities and instruments necessary for cutting-edge research.
Data Repositories: Maintaining databases and archives of research data that can be accessed by researchers worldwide.
Funding and Grants: Securing financial resources to support research projects and initiatives.
6. Policy and Advocacy
Advisory Roles: Providing expert advice to government agencies, policymakers, and organizations on scientific and technological issues.
Ethical Guidelines: Establishing and promoting ethical standards in research practices.
Public Policy: Influencing policy development through evidence-based recommendations and reports.
7. Economic and Social Impact
Job Creation: Creating employment opportunities through research projects and spin-off companies.
Community Development: Engaging with local communities to address social challenges and improve quality of life.
Apply interventions: Apply interventions in line with poverty alleviation and empowerment of football players and communities
8. Monitoring and Evaluation
Impact Assessment: Evaluating the societal, economic, and environmental impacts of research activities.
Quality Control: Ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of research findings through rigorous review and validation processes.
9. Technology Transfer and Commercialization
Patenting and Licensing: Protecting intellectual property and facilitating the commercialization of research outputs.