Welcome to “Meet the TRC Alumni”, a section dedicated to finding out what our TRC PhDs are doing after successfully completing their PhD. This is an opportunity to learning more about the multiple careers offered after doing a PhD with us, as well as catching up with our brilliant researchers.
Today, Dr Angelo Sciacca gives us an update of his career after graduating in 2023 and how the PhD has helped him shape his career. Congratulations are in order for Angelo as he has recently joined the TRC not only as a proud alumnus but as Visiting Senior Fellow! We look forward to seeing what this collaboration will bring in the future!
“I held diverse roles across Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, and Europe. My work focused on advancing circular entrepreneurship in tourism, fostering community-based and ecotourism in coastal and island destinations, and researching smart tourism ecosystems.
I chose Edinburgh Napier University for my PhD because I had already completed my master’s degree there and was highly familiar with the university’s strong reputation for quality research and teaching in the subject.
The focus of my PhD on circular economy and island tourism aligned with my interest in how island territorial dynamics influence the tourism sector’s transition toward more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive models.
My PhD has been instrumental in supporting my career by deepening my expertise in circular economy and island tourism, which are critical areas for the sustainable future of the ecosystems the sector relies on.
I work as a Senior Research Fellow on Blue Tourism at the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) where I coordinate the Blue Tourism Initiative, a global initiative that aims to improve the governance of coastal and marine tourism to ensure sustainability, focusing on three marine regions: the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Western Indian Ocean.
To new PhD students, I suggest to embrace challenges as part of the learning process, and stay committed to making a meaningful impact with your research.