Tag: postgraduate

Postgraduate Student Dissertations – Meet Ryan MSc International Festival & Event Management

An Investigation into Social Capital Generated or Impacted by Transformational Festivals

My dissertation studies the relationship between Social Capital (the ties between individuals and within social networks and the trustworthiness and reciprocity that is generated amongst the group as a result) and Transformational Festivals (typically week-long festivals in harsh or challenging environments with an emphasis on co-creation and ritualisation), expanding on previous festival and events literature and deploying a sociological lens within the field of Transformational Festivals. The Research utilised 11 semi-structured interviews over 4 time-zones and thematic analysis to identify and analyse recurring themes. Key findings were a high prevalence of Social Capital building at Transformational Festivals by most respondents, and a belief that powerful connections were built more rapidly than elsewhere. However, there was the understanding that these bonds were often temporal and not likely to expand beyond the festival perimeter, whereas occasionally bonds were not built at all, particularly when attending within a group with pre-defined social dynamics. Although these festivals are typically geared towards to collective experiences, the study found higher than expected levels of individual Social Capital. Finally, interviewees tended to agree that Transformational Festival attendance leads to societal advancement, yet the source of these improvements was disputed with more respondents believing them to be the result of transformational experiences and personal growth, rather than the building of community or social ties, again alluding to the individual dimension.

Read the full dissertation from Ryan Webster, MSc International Festival & Event Management

Postgraduate Student Dissertations – Meet Sanjana MSc International Heritage & Cultural Tourism Management

Bridging Nature and Culture in the Western Ghats: Rethinking Mixed Heritage Management

The Western Ghats in India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent a rare case where natural and cultural values overlap. My dissertation examined how these “mixed heritage” landscapes are managed, highlighting the tensions between international conservation frameworks and local traditions of stewardship.

Through interviews with government officials, conservationists, tourism operators, journalists, and community members, I explored different perceptions of the relationship between nature and culture. The findings revealed a disconnect between top-down policies—often rooted in Western conservation thought—and the lived realities of local communities, who view nature and culture as inseparable.

This gap creates challenges in governance, sustainable tourism, and conservation practice. Yet it also opens opportunities: by integrating local voices and indigenous knowledge systems into management strategies, heritage sites like the Western Ghats can move toward more inclusive and resilient futures.
The study contributes to global debates on sustainable heritage management, while offering practical recommendations for India’s conservation and tourism sectors. By rethinking how we bridge global frameworks with local perspectives, mixed heritage sites can be safeguarded not only as ecological treasures but also as living cultural landscapes.

Read the full dissertation by Sanjana Simha Chennarayapatna Umesha, MSc International Heritage & Cultural Tourism Management