Viktoriia Smirnova is the Doctoral Candidate for DC9 titled “The erosion of sport autonomy and its impact on traditional models of sport”. Viktoriia’s areas of interest and engagement include sport governance, diplomacy, international relations, and socio-legal studies. She holds an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Sports Ethics and Integrity and a Bachelor’s degree in Trade Business from Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. Prior to embarking on her doctoral journey, Viktoriia has amassed professional experience through her role as a research intern at the Biathlon Integrity Unit in Austria, where she provided research assistance in relation to the upcoming inclusion policy. Her dedication to the field extends to her role as a Young Sports Maker at the Global Sports Week in Paris. Beyond her scholarly pursuits, Viktoriia volunteered within the European Solidarity Corps in Spain, the FIFA World Cup in Russia, the European Universities Games in Poland. Viktoriia has a transnational background; she has lived and studied in six countries. Additionally, she completed 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training by Yoga Alliance in India.