Dr. Layne Vandenberg received her PhD in Political Economy from King’s College London and the University of Hong Kong Joint PhD Programme in 2023. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, completed a Fulbright Research Grant in Brazil, and graduated from the Yenching Academy at Peking University with a LLM in International Relations.

Her research has focused on football (soccer) and sports policy, including the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, and football policy and reform in China, among other countries (Brazil, Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, the UK, and the United States). She has published widely in popular news outlets, including as a writer for The Diplomat. Dr. Vandenberg’s recent work experience in the sports governance sector includes 6+ years at the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the Copa America Centenario tournament, and she now serves as an Advisor to the FIFA 2026 World Cup Host City of Boston.