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The network

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GLOBAL NETWORK

World Leisure Centers of Excellence

A prestigious international network committed to advancing graduate and post-graduate education and research in play, recreation, arts, culture, sports, festivals, health and wellness, travel, and tourism

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The World Leisure Center of Excellence (WLCE) is a prestigious international network committed to advancing graduate and post-graduate education and research in the fields of play, recreation, arts, culture, sports, festivals, health and wellness, travel, and tourism—all with a global perspective.

WLCE network designs and fosters specialized educational programs and dynamic research platforms that serve as catalysts for innovation, knowledge advancement, and global collaboration. These initiatives empower institutions to explore emerging trends, address contemporary challenges, and inspire groundbreaking solutions across diverse fields, driving positive change within the leisure industry and beyond.

Coordinator

Dr. Arianne Reis

Director of Academic Program for the Master of Public Health and Master of Health Sciences programs, Western Sydney University

More information

◆ Calls

See the open call 2025 – 2026

2026 Internship opportunities coming soon!

◆ Do you want to know more about them? Choose your center and click on it!

WLCE Interactive Map

More info →

For academics, researchers and scholars

Exchange programs

Access and co-create joint programmes and activities among the WLCEs network:

Take part in research and teaching exchange programs within the WLCE network.
Organize master classes and guest lectures within the WLCE network.
Get exclusive invitations to present at WL Events (e.g., WL Congress, WL Expo, WL Day) and other WLO partnership events in the leisure field.
Organize collaborative research projects.
Promote joint thesis supervision.

Publications

Regular invitations to contribute to WLO and WLCE-related publications, as authors, editors, or members of the editorial board. Below are some of the current publication outlets:

World Leisure Journal
World Leisure Book Series: The Advisory Board should be composed of a representative from each WLCE plus a member of the WLO Board of Directors, according to the Rules of Governance and Composition.
Leisure Practices Case Studies (WLCE VIU)
Uncover (WLCE BUAS)

Marketing, promotion and membership

WLO provides a great range of marketing and promotion opportunities through its various communication channels:

Have a dedicated site in the WLO website
Publish in the WL News published monthly
Use of the WLO and WLCE logos
Support from WLO Secretariat in developing communication materials for WLCE activities
Get up to 10 WL Premium Individual Memberships for leisure academics and research students

Networking (As an institution and in general terms)

Build bridges and break barriers with the support of WLO:

Access to the WLCE network worldwide and cooperation with students and faculty members in the field of leisure worldwide
Connect and build bridges with other leisure related topics through the WL Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
Access WL publication partners (e.g., Leisure Media, Australasia Leisure Management)
Engage with external leisure related organizations, WL Institutional Members, Global Relevance Committee, among others.
Have privileged access and involvement opportunities in WLO programmes and activities.
Access to WLO membership to serve as faculty, consultants and collaborators.

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For students

Field experience programmes

Have exclusive access to specifically designed programmes:

WL Field Schools – a learning opportunity that combines practical field learning experience with congress attendance.
Leisure Experience Research Opportunity (LERO) – internationally oriented field research project aimed at exploring tourism and leisure experiences in the host city.

Internships

Have exclusive access to internship opportunities supported by WLO:

Internship at WLO Headquarters, working with the Secretariat in the operations of this international leisure organization
Other international internship opportunities in the leisure industry through the WLO and WLCE network.

WL Youth Ambassadors

Have access to the World Leisure Youth Ambassadors program. This program connects students with other young people across the world on a local-to-global basis to gain a broader perspective of trends, issues, strategies and advancing leisure worldwide.