The partnership, established through the British Council's "Researcher Links" programme and the São Paulo Research Foundation, will enable academics from the University of Bath's department for health to share their research around the legacy claims of major sporting events, including research from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and collaborate with international colleagues to discuss how this can support work in Brazil.

A workshop in São Paulo, scheduled to take place from March 9 to 13 2015, will also provide an opportunity for career development and cross-cultural exchange.

There were a number of protests held before and during the 2014 FIFA World Cup
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"We are delighted to be able to facilitate a workshop in Brazil that will develop cross-cultural networks between early career academics from the United Kingdom and in São Paulo," said Professor Simone Fullagar from the University of Bath's Department for Health.

"With a focus on sport and social transformation, the workshop will explore the socio-cultural, economic and political complexity surrounding major events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Rio Olympic Games.

"We envisage some lively debates across the four days with participants coming from diverse research backgrounds in sport sociology, leisure and tourism, urban studies, politics and international development.

"It will be an excellent opportunity to work with our colleagues at the University of São Paulo to strengthen research relationships."

Dr Ricardo Uvinha from the University of São Paulo added: "Brazil has recently gained global attention in terms of how the country will host the so-called "sports mega-events of the decade" and the potential impact of them through legacies across the sport, tourism and leisure sectors.

"This workshop provides a great opportunity to critically explore these legacies as well as to strengthen the mutual co-operation between University of Bath and University of São Paulo."

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