academic Archives - Tourism Research Centre Blog

Meet the TRC Alumni – Dr Angelo Sciacca

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.

Professor Kerr gives Keynote Lecture on ‘Business of Science Festivals’ in Mexico

Professor Gary Kerr, an academic within the Tourism Research Centre, has given the Keynote Lecture at the Association of Mexican Museums and Centres for Science & Technology (AMMCCYT) Annual Colloquium 2024, hosted by Centro de Ciencias Explora in León de los Aldama, Guanajuato, Mexico, from 29-31 August 2024.

AMMCCYT brings together science centres and museums from across Mexico. It aims to strengthen the effectiveness of science centre and museums to promote science and technology culture throughout Mexico.

The Annual Colloquium brings together academics, science centre & museum professionals, students and the general public to engage in dialogue, reflect, and exchange ideas, experiences and proposals related to museum spaces and cultural institutions.

During the colloquium, many presentations focused on engaging non-specialist audiences with science & technology and promoting a culture of science and technology across Mexico. The role of science centres and museums in promoting informal science learning was discussed heavily. The colloquium also discussed how science centres and museums can be inclusive spaces for a range of audiences with different needs.

I used my keynote lecture to discuss the ‘Business of Science Festivals’ and how science centres and museums could utilise science festivals as a means to strengthen existing audiences and reach new audiences. I also spoke about the power of science festivals in addressing inequity within the science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) sectors.

During my keynote, I drew upon my research and practitioner roles in curating science festivals. In the UK, the term ‘science festival’ has been around since 1989, when the Edinburgh Science Festival was first launched. However, public science & technology events date back to the days of the Ancient Greeks when philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle would speak about their theories in public to the masses. The British Association for the Advancement of Science (now the British Science Association) has been holding annual meetings around the UK each year since 1831, and these have evolved into the contemporary British Science Festival – a festival that moves around the UK each year.

Despite 35-year the coming of age of UK science festivals, the STEM sector remains inequitable. There is a gender imbalance in the STEM sector with 65% of the UK’s STEM workforce being white men (Keith & Kerr, 2022). The lack of diversity in the STEM is not limited to gender, but runs through multiple strands of diversity (Keith & Kerr, 2022). There is also an inadequately trained STEM workforce, with around 40% of STEM vacancies difficult to fill (Keith & Kerr, 2022).

In my keynote, I spoke about the value of science festivals, but did go on to highlight that they do not provide a silver bullet to solve all the problems of the STEM sector. I spoke about the value of other types of festivals – including literature, film, music and arts festivals – and how these might provide a platform (albeit limited) for engaging non-specialist audiences with science. I also discussed the need to take into account socio-cultural issues when communicating science at festivals with diverse audiences. These include demonstrating appreciation for religious, cultural and historical sensitivities when communicating with audiences.

My invitation to deliver the Keynote Lecture at AMMCYT further strengthens Tourism Research Centre’s strong links with Mexico, which include delivering the Creative Leadership Programme on behalf of British Council Mexico in 2023 and 2024.

Reference

Keith, L. and Kerr, G. W. (2022). ‘Levelling the playing field: lessons from sport on re-framing science engagement as a benefit to the individual’. JCOM 21 (04), A03. https://doi.org/10.22323/2.21040203

ENU and Texas A&M Study Exchange 2024

During the spring 2024 term, four of our students went to Texas A&M University on a study exchange trip. The students are on Edinburgh Napier’s Festival & Event Management, Tourism Management, and Hospitality Management programmes. They spent some time working alongside a business in Texas as part of the Live Project Module, and likewise some Texas A&M University students spent some time in August in Edinburgh.

The project team consisted of Dr Afiya Holder, Dr David Jarman, and Slawek Staniszewski, Global Mobility Officer in International Operations from ENU. Dr. Donna Lee Sullins and Prof. Brian King coordinated and led the project on behalf of Texas A&M University.

So what is it like to travel to Texas for a Live Project? Hear directly from the four ENU students who shared with us their thoughts on the experience below. Thanks to Bethany Tait (International Hospitality Management with Festivals and Events), Claudio Pigozzo (International Tourism Management), Cerys Fitzgerald (International Festival and Events Management), and Dean Jenkins (International Festival and Event management).

Question: Why did you apply and how did you secure for such an amazing opportunity?

Bethany: “I knew that I had to apply as it would be such an amazing experience and a great way to gain knowledge of the industry within a different country.”

Claudio: “The opportunity to work closely with an organization in Texas and Texas A&M college students came suddenly. I didn’t think twice before applying and immediately started writing my application form.”

Cerys: “I was given the opportunity to apply for the live project in partnership with Century Square in Texas [a multi-use retail and leisure facility] in Texas at the start of 3^rd year. In order to be considered I had to write a short essay which explained why I would be a good fit for the trip and how it could benefit myself and my experience.”

Dean: “I was reading the IFEM bulletin which I would normally do as it always has great opportunities then I spotted that there was a project and a trip to Texas being organised as part of the live project module which I had chosen. I applied but I wasn’t expecting to be a part of the project as there were only four places available so when I got told the news that I got a place I couldn’t believe it as I had always wanted to go to the USA so doing it with university made it even better as I knew that it would be worth something and not just a holiday.”

Question: What are your thoughts on the Live Project module and how has this shaped your learning experience and professional development?

Bethany: “By being given the opportunity to work with and provide recommendations for a business it enabled myself to finally put my degree to use and know that all the hard work over the past three years is paying off and that I do have the skills to work in a real-life environment. This module has enabled myself to develop my professional skills and learn a lot about the inner workings of professional environments.”

Claudio: “The Live Project module is an incredible experience for students who can finally implement what they have previously studied and use and discover their own skills. Working with a live organization puts you in a position to see things from the perspective of the business owner or manager, and experience their stress, to improve or find appropriate solutions for the business.”

Cerys: “I learned how to work well within a team, distributing the work evenly to ensure no one felt under pressure with the workload. In a professional sense I got an insight into what can differ between a business in the US compared to ones in the UK and how they can do things slightly differently.”

Dean: “I found the actual module interesting and challenging at times, but I enjoy a challenge, so I thoroughly enjoyed working on the project. This module has definitely helped my future goals as I have made international contacts in which I can use when I graduate.”

Question: In what ways has this experience inspired your future goals/plans in Tourism, Hospitality, Festival and Events or Marketing?

Bethany: “This experience has taught me that within the industry the most beneficial factor is networking with other students, universities, and businesses to gain knowledge and contacts worldwide.”

Claudio: “This experience made me understand that despite your age, background, or belief, you can achieve incredible things in life. I met so many people, with different experiences and backgrounds, different passions, different paths, but the same desire to learn and make a difference.”

Cerys: “My plans for after graduation has always been to travel and work internationally. Doing this live project has shown me that it is something that is indeed possible and that I would be able to do it with the experience that I have already gained through this opportunity.”

Dean: “This experience has really opened my eyes to what opportunities are out there in terms of different events and universities.”

Question: What were some memorable moments related to the module but also beyond the classroom?

Bethany: “A memorable moment within the classroom would be the initial receival of the project brief, it was exciting as a group to gain information on the company and brainstorm initial ideas for the objectives we had been given. (…) The professors at Texas A&M were incredibly welcoming and also invited us along to the hospitality scholarships banquet.”

Claudio: “I think every minute of this module, the project, the meetings, the trip, was memorable. I will bring these memories forever with me. I met and worked with fantastic people with whom we shared thoughts, discussed and come up with interesting ideas. I had the opportunity to attend class at an American University and understand what life on campus really is, their culture, tradition and the spirit of belonging, something incredible…. Truly an unforgettable experience.”

Cerys: “Some of my most memorable moments from this module have to learning all about Texas and Century Square but then getting to actually experience it. Although my academic experiences come from the classroom, the real life experiences and moments came from the trip itself.”

Dean: “… the banquet that Texas A&M students were hosting, I networked with so many different people from different backgrounds and professions.”

Question: What life skills do you think came to light post-trip?

Bethany: “Improved confidence, adapting to new cultures”

Claudio: “Problem solving, teamwork and organizational skills.”

Cerys: “Communication and collaboration”

Dean: “Teamwork, networking skills and communication”

Question: What advice would you give future students about taking the Live Project module?

Bethany: “The best advice would be to thoroughly communicate with all team members, it is really important to ensure you all have the same work ethic and maintain styles of work throughout the report and presentation. I would also say to just enjoy the experience as much as possible and remember that your supervisor and the other module lecturers are always there to support your experience and make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.”

Claudio: “My advice is to take the Live Project module as a real work experience, never be afraid to express ideas and always listen to criticism and learn from it, you learn by making mistakes.”

Cerys: “Just enjoy it! The live project can become stressful at points as it is a lot to in a short period of time. My advice would be to embrace the experience to its full potential, and all will work out in the end.”

Dean: “…that the dynamic in your project team is crucial so I would recommend getting to know a little more about your teammates outside the classroom.”

PhD Stories – Judith Spaargaren

Welcome to “PhD Stories”, a section where our PhD candidates tell you more about their research, and what they aim to achieve and discover.

Today, we have Judith Spaargaren, who started her PhD in 2023, and whose title is “The Role of Prison Museums in Public Culture: The Case of Peterhead Prison Museum”, with supervisors Dr. Craig Wight, Prof. Anne Schwan, and Dr. Renata Osowska.

If you would like to know more about Judith’s research or if you have any questions, you can contact Judith here: judith.spaargaren@napier.ac.uk.

If you’re interested in undertaking a PhD with us, please email the Tourism Research Centre Lead, Prof. Anna Leask – a.leask@napier.ac.uk

When planning your holidays, have you ever thought of putting a prison visit on your itinerary? More people than you think would answer yes. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but prison tourism has become increasingly popular over the past few decades. In Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, the Peterhead Prison Museum has become one such popular visitor attraction.

When HMP Peterhead closed down in 2013, a community effort allowed for the building to reopen as a museum in 2016, which has since become a major tourist draw to the area. The museum aims to tell the stories of the prison’s 125 year long operation, and show visitors “what real prison life was like”. Unlike visiting an active prison, where the visit is rarely for leisure, prison museums allow for visitors to explore what the prison system is like with their freedom kept intact. But how do you do that?

My academic background lies in heritage studies, and I have a particular interest in how the stories we do and do not tell about our past affect our present and future. My PhD research focuses on the opportunities and challenges that prisons museum face in telling their stories. Prisons, in particular, are places of difficult and sometimes painful histories. This means there are opportunities to educate and inform visitors about prison life and the justice system, but also challenges we must face: which stories do we tell, and how? How can we allow for everyone’s voice to be heard, even when some of those voices belong to those we morally disagree with? What do visitors want to hear, and should that matter? Where do we draw the line between prison museum exhibit and gratuitous tableau of human suffering?

I am not the first person to ask questions like these, but there is a real lack of a Scottish perspective in this discussion, which I hope to contribute through my research. I am privileged to be carrying out this research in direct partnership with the Peterhead Prison Museum. In working directly with the museum, I hope to not only identify what visitors want, but also what the community of Peterhead might need from a prison museum as a visitor attraction. The story of the prison is tied directly to the story of Peterhead itself, and acknowledging this connection is not only important to the museum, but also to my research, which would be incomplete if it left out the town of Peterhead and its community.

This will not be an easy task, as I spent my first year of PhD research discovering. I’ve spent most of my time compiling and creating a framework of academic concerns about, and solutions to, issues that prison museums face. Next year, I’ll be heading up to Peterhead to gather specific visitor and Scottish perspectives to add to this framework. At the end of this PhD, I hope to develop a set of strategies to tell the stories of Peterhead Prison to as many visitors as possible.

Meet the TRC Alumni – Dr Shemroy

Today, Dr Shemroy Roberts talks about his PhD journey and his career after successfully discussing his PhD in November 2023. From St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Scotland, let’s find out about Shemroy Roberts’ Journey of growth, and resilience.

Dr Roberts is also organizing together with ENU colleagues “Roots Revived: Memory, Legacy, Heritage and Tourism Conference”, taking place on October 17, 2024, at our Craiglockhart Campus. The conference provides a platform for exploring the complex dynamics of difficult and dissonant heritage within the broader context of memory, legacy, heritage, and tourism. Recognising the lasting impact of historical traumas, contested narratives, and marginalised voices, this conference seeks to promote dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation. The conference also seeks to explore the ethical, social, and cultural complexities involved in commemorating and engaging with painful histories. If you would like to know more, and send an abstract, please visit the following webpage: https://lnkd.in/eDCFVkJb

“I am Shemroy Roberts, hailing from the Caribbean nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines—a chain of islands covering 150 square miles and home to approximately 104,000 people. I come from a very large family, with seven siblings on my mother’s side and twelve on my father’s, as far as I am aware. My mother was a shopkeeper, while my father was a politician, drove delivery trucks, tilled the soil, cultivated fruits and vegetables, and raised pigs. I am the only one of my mother’s children to have attended university—a milestone made possible by the unwavering support of my parents. Their influence has been instrumental in my educational journey and subsequent successes, and I am grateful for their contributions.

In 2012, I earned an Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Studies from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College. This achievement was just the beginning of a journey that would take me far beyond the shores of my homeland. I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the University of the West Indies, graduating in 2018. It was during my time in this programme that I stumbled upon Scotland—quite serendipitously—while writing a paper on sustainable tourism practices. Intrigued by Scotland’s approach to tourism and its rich history, I was able to visit the country. What I discovered completely captured my heart.

My interest in Scotland led me to research universities offering advanced tourism programmes, and I discovered Edinburgh Napier University through a YouTube video featuring Dr. Ross Tinsley discussing International Tourism and Destination Marketing. That same year, I embarked on a Master of Science in International Tourism Marketing at Edinburgh Napier University. I knew immediately that this was the place for me. The programme offered everything I was looking for—the tools and resources to help me understand how to develop tourism products and services that could elevate my home country, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as a premier destination in the Caribbean.

My academic interests have always been driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully to my home country’s development, to educate visitors about our destination and its culture and history, and to enhance the socio-economic well-being of local communities. I began my PhD at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time marked by significant global events such as the tragic death of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter protests, the controversial removal and defacement of statues linked to the transatlantic slave trade, and, more recently, the far-right riots in the UK and Europe, have continued to fuel discussions on racism, fascism, and Islamophobia. These events underscored the relevance of my research, which focused on visitor engagement with UK slavery heritage museums. My work has provided valuable insights for academics, museum professionals, and society at large, contributing to a broader understanding of how we engage with our shared history. It is, therefore, important that we stay mindful of our history, including the transatlantic slave trade and other significant events that have shaped our present. By reflecting on these past injustices, we can work together to avoid repeating them and address issues like war, racism, fascism, and enslavement. As a scholar, I have a role to play in shaping the society we want through research, open discussion, and mutual respect —a society that values peace, freedom, democracy, inclusivity, and development for all.

As a person of mixed race, I have always been aware of the nuances of my identity but never really fixated on them. However, I frequently face questions about my identity from friends and even family. My PhD research, however, led me to a deeper understanding of my heritage, revealing that I am connected to both the enslaved and the enslavers. My mother is a descendant of the enslaved, while my father’s lineage traces back to the enslavers. This discovery was both profound and enlightening, allowing me to embrace the duality of my heritage and appreciate the complexities of my identity.

My PhD journey was not without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, a volcanic eruption in my home country, and my mother’s battle with type 2 diabetes, which led to the amputation of her left leg—took a considerable toll on my mental health. With self-determination, I forged ahead amidst these adversities to complete my PhD on time. I am immensely proud to have reached this summit and overcome the many obstacles. I was fortunate to have the guidance of Associate Professor Craig Wight and Professor Anna Leask, whose constructive feedback and support were invaluable throughout my studies. I am deeply grateful to them for their mentorship. I also leaned on a strong support network, including family and friends, who provided encouragement and kept me grounded during difficult times.

Before pursuing my PhD, I worked in various roles in my home country, including as an insurance salesperson, a secondary school teacher in Food and Nutrition and Family and Human Resources Management, and a hotel receptionist. During my PhD, I had the opportunity to teach several modules in research, tourism, hospitality, and festivals and events at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at Edinburgh Napier University. My experience in academia has been immensely rewarding. Currently, I serve as the Course Coordinator in Culture and Heritage Tourism and as a research supervisor for the management programmes at the University of the West Indies Global Campus, where I have been in these roles for the past four years. Additionally, I have been an Assistant Chief Examiner with the Caribbean Examinations Council for the past eight years.

My PhD has equipped me with the skills to succeed in any workplace and has provided me with the tools to make meaningful contributions to research. It has also expanded my professional network, allowing me to connect with scholars worldwide, some of whom I now collaborate with as an editor for the Journal of International Tourism Policy. I have been fortunate to receive several awards at conferences, a testament to the strong presentation skills my PhD has honed. Additionally, my PhD has supported my grant-writing efforts, enabling me to secure funding for community projects, with more initiatives on the horizon.

My hobbies and interests include listening to classical music, cooking, baking, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. And yes! I must confess, Scotland has left its mark on my culinary skills and salivary glands. I absolutely love haggis!

$Dr Shemroy holding flag$

To new and prospective PhD students, my advice is simple: start writing early, value your supervisors’ guidance, and engage actively in diplomatic and constructive discussions. Make use of university resources, set realistic deadlines, learn from others, and remember to balance work with self-care. Most importantly, be kind to yourself, stay humble, and above all, enjoy the experience.

“Bidh àite sònraichte aig Alba agus Oilthigh Napier Dhùn Èideann an-còmhnaidh nam chridhe,” meaning “Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University will always hold a special place in my heart.” The lessons I have learned and the connections I have made here will stay with me forever.

“Nisi sapientia frustra,” meaning “without knowledge, all is in vain.”

Meet Dr. Alan Fyall – Visiting Professor

Welcome to “Meet the Visiting Professor”, a section dedicated to introducing to you our Visiting Professors, where you will have the opportunity to get to know them, and find out how they engage with Edinburgh Napier University, and specifically with the Tourism Research Centre (TRC).

Today, Dr. Alan Fyall talks about his career, how he started collaborating with TRC, and more specifically what he hopes to achieve in the future. And if you are a football fan, then you might understand his obsession with Southampton Football Club!

Originally from Edinburgh, I grew up in Southampton and was lucky to travel widely due to my parent’s desire to provide us with the best vacations they could afford. These early travel experiences, most notably to France, Spain and the USA, created a fascination with international travel and a thirst for discovery of new places. I have been fortunate to visit around 50 countries around the world to date with each one offering different insights and experiences that to varying degrees have shaped my research and engagement with the tourism industry. Strangely perhaps, I am not a great pre-planner for trips as I like to simply “walk the destination” and discover what the destination has to offer before being overly influenced by travel writers! My favorite destination remains France with Turkmenistan definitely the weirdest place I’ve ever visited! As well as travel, my other “obsession” is football where I am a huge supporter of Southampton Football Club, an experience which is not always positive!

Due to Edinburgh being my place of birth, and having worked at Edinburgh Napier University between 1997-2000, I have always been committed to helping colleagues here as much as I can. Over the years I have established a deep friendship with Dr. Anna Leask, among others, and have published many journal articles and books with ENU faculty. Edinburgh is such a fantastic place to visit, live and study while its history and heritage offers a great contrast to my home city of Orlando, Florida with its world-leading theme parks and attractions.

For the future, I hope to contribute to the development and expansion of the Destination Leaders Program, possibly national and international and serve as a “critical friend” and develop training to enhance academic authorship and external grant submissions for faculty, and training for current and future doctoral students in research methods, and early career development. I would also like to support and develop specific funding opportunities that span destination management, accessible and inclusive tourism, sustainability and destination/community resilience while teach students at the undergraduate and graduate levels in destination management and marketing and provide connections to his networks across the world.

Festivals Sustainability Symposium 29 June 2023

In late June 2023, 70 people gathered at Craiglockhart to discuss the thorny issue of Festival sustainability, writes Dr David Jarman, Lecturer.

There has long been an intricate relationship between festivals and the various ways that sustainability themes affects their actions, impacts, and the ways audiences and stakeholders relate to them. The Festival Sustainability Symposium was an opportunity to discuss a variety of these topics, with attendees from academia, government, the festival sector, and freelancers. It was particularly good to see a number of Edinburgh Napier graduates at the event.

The variety of papers presented at the event reflected the wide range of perspectives and areas of interest under the sustainability banner. Attendees heard about the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, and how it is enabling and supporting a community of eager participants and their audiences to engage with Edinburgh’s festival economy. Environmental sustainability was covered from a range of different angles, including case studies reflecting on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Other work presented practical and tangible lessons for those applying environmental sustainability in a festival context. A number of contributors spoke about community in relation to festivals, whether that be supporting underrepresented groups within society, or reflecting on the relationship between seasonal festivals and the established communities in which they take place. Festivals are a representation of the contexts in which they are planned and delivered, and they carry meaning and symbolism that reflects this.

This was also an opportunity to reflect upon Edinburgh Napier’s interest in festival and event sustainability. Some modules on our programmes focus specifically on sustainability, while others highlight the importance of community, the environment and related themes. Our students and graduates are therefore equipped to consider the types of discussions that featured at the symposium. As such, we are playing our part in the ongoing development and evolution of the sector as it tries to grapple with a wide variety of challenges in relation to sustainability. Resources are used at festivals, people travel a long way to attend them, and often there is little of tangible evidence to demonstrate their having taken place. However, festivals are also a platform on which to discuss good practice and to demonstrate the potential value of these kinds of events. Ultimately, as was discussed by the closing keynote speaker, there are opportunities for festivals to play a positive and enhancing role in the sustainability of environments, places, and organisations.

Edinburgh Napier’s Tourism Research Centre, and everyone involved in our Festival, Event, Tourism and Hospitality programmes, continues our work into research, industry enhancement and policy development in sustainability. For more information about what we do, including future events, research opportunities and student projects, please get in touch.