Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute Hosts Docuseries

The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute at Seton Hall University will host a nationally relevant public conversation, Kicking It to 2026 Docuseries Summit: Keeping the Peace Ahead of the 2026 Soccer Tournament, on Wednesday, April 1, in New Jersey.

The event is presented in partnership with the independent docuseries Kicking It to 2026: The Countdown to the Game and supported by sponsor DailyPay.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 international soccer tournament, with the finals set to take place in New Jersey, the event will examine critical issues surrounding crowd psychology, public safety and readiness for one of the largest global sporting events in history.

While the conversation is anchored in preparation for the 2026 international soccer tournament, the insights shared are broadly applicable to other large-scale gatherings; including major viewing parties, festivals and high attendance public events where crowd dynamics and safety planning are essential.

A Global Conversation with Local Impact
The keynote speaker, Clifford Stott, MBE, Ph.D., is a professor of policing research at The Open University in the United Kingdom and a world renowned expert on crowd psychology at major sporting events. With more than three decades of research examining soccer tournaments, protests and large public gatherings, Stott’s work has influenced public safety planning, law enforcement strategy and event management across multiple countries.

Stott will address misconceptions about crowd risk and explore evidence based strategies that improve safety, reduce disorder and strengthen cooperation between institutions and communities. His discussion will focus on preparedness for 2026. Centering Community, Culture and Scholarship
For the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, hosting this conversation was an opportunity to engage leaders in one of the most favored sports of Latinidad while fostering dialogue around issues that have national and global impact.
Lori Tarke, DHSc, executive director of the Institute, emphasized the academic

Significance of the event:
“As a university with NCAA women’s and men’s soccer teams, and academic programs in psychology, policing, sports media and beyond, this event offers students and the broader community a unique opportunity to hear from a global leader in the field. With world championship soccer fever upon us, we are excited to help our communities engage with the moment through this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

By convening researchers, storytellers, public safety professionals and local leaders, the Institute aims to ensure that preparation for 2026 reflects not only operational excellence but also cultural awareness. Docuseries Spotlight: Community Readiness for 2026 The summit serves as a launch point for the broader storytelling project, which explores how communities across Mexico, the United States and Canada are preparing for the global tournament.

“Kicking It to 2026 looks at how communities are preparing for the global tournament, and this summit is a strong launch point, especially with the finals heading to New Jersey,” said director and executive producer Giovanna Aguilar. Executive Producer Meiling Macias-Toro of Freedom Studios, Inc. noted the importance of collaboration in bringing the conversation to life: “We are grateful for Seton Hall University’s partnership and DailyPay’s support in bringing this conversation into the docuseries. Independent productions, like sports, thrive on community support.”

The independent docuseries is produced by Candesco Productions in collaboration with Freedom Studios, Inc. and Daltonic Films. The project is not affiliated with FIFA or any official tournament organization.

Looking Ahead
As New Jersey prepares to welcome the world in 2026, the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute is proud to be at the forefront of this thoughtful event. Through scholarship, partnership and cultural leadership, the Institute continues to create spaces where global moments are examined through the lens of community impact and where unity is celebrated.

Additional program details and confirmed speakers will be announced soon. Click here to register. 

Categories: Education