Kirk Bowman, professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, participated in a workshop on Constructing Civic Society in the Americas at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, D.C., on November 2. 

Sebastião Oliveira, founder of the Miratus Badminton Association in the favela of Chacrinha in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, also participated in the workshop. Oliveira is a local innovator featured in the award-winning documentary film Bad & the Birdieman, produced by Kirk Bowman, Jon Wilcox, Katia Lund, and Luis Lomenha.

Bad & the Birdieman debuted during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games at the Reimagine Rio Festival. Bad & the Birdieman is one of five films that depict how art programs and innovative sports change the lives of kids and local leaders. The Ivan Allen College featured Professor Bowman in “Rio Film Events during 2016 Olympic Games Highlight Innovation by and for the World’s Poor.” 

Learn more about Professor Bowman’s research interests in comparative politics; Latin American politics; and soccer and global politics here.