Tourism and Travel Management

Sara currently works as the Research Professor in Tourism at UQ Business School. She has previously worked at the School of Management & Marketing at the University of Wollongong and the School of Tourism at the Vienna University of Economics & Business where she also served as the Secretary General of the Austrian Society for Applied Research in Tourism. Sara’s core research interests are the improvement of market segmentation methodology and the testing and refinement of measures used in social science research. She has investigated a range of different applied research areas, including sustainable tourism and tourism marketing, environmental volunteering, foster carer and public acceptance of water alternatives and water conservation measures. Sara has (co-)authored more than 300 refereed papers, including more than 140 journal articles and led a total of twelve Australian Research Council (ARC) grants. In 2011 she took up a prestigious ARC Queen Elizabeth II Fellowship. Sara holds a Masters and PhD degree from the Vienna University of Economics and Business and a Masters degree in Psychology at the University of Vienna.

Sally’s current research interests in tourism draw on a background in economics and environmental economics and experience in government in developing environmental policy and managing natural environments that are also tourism destinations. She is currently undertaking research on the economic impacts of protected areas and of wildlife attractions. Sally has recently published on the economic value of tourism to national parks and on issues for tourism investment in Australia. Sally holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) from Griffith University, Master in Science from the University of Queensland and PhD from Australian National University.

Sheranne’s research focuses on three major streams: sport and event tourism, volunteerism, and the globalization of sport. Sheranne has conducted various research and consultancy projects in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Recent projects she has been involved in include the globalization of Australian Rules Football in international markets, the sport tourism behaviors of friends and family of athletes who travel to the Olympic Games, and the legacy of Olympic volunteerism. She currently serves on the advisory board of the United States Australian Football League. Sheranne holds a Bachelor of Business with Honors and a PhD from Griffith University.

Gabby’s primary research interests revolve around tourism marketing communications, tourist behavior and tourism crisis recovery. Currently, she is working on a series of studies that seek to investigate the impact that Terrorism related activity is likely to have on travel behavior and tourist decision making. Gabby has led a number of industry consultancy projects for both state and regional tourism organizations within Australia and has been invited on several occasions to deliver keynote addresses. She has over 35 publications that include acclaimed academic journals, University textbooks and edited research books. Gabby has a PhD from Griffith University. Prior to her University career, Gabby spent 16 years in the hospitality industry.

Richard joined the academia after an extended career as a chef, predominantly managing foodservice operations in the prestige club, heritage facility and hotel sectors. Since then, he has taught a suite of courses in hospitality and tourism management and professional development, often underpinned by experiential learning approaches. His expertise and scholarship in teaching & learning are recognized by various awards and advisory appointments at state and national level. He currently holds a three-year UQ Research Development Fellowship. Richard’s research focuses on workforce development in the hospitality and tourism industries and food tourism. His work in these areas are published in leading academic journals in the field, monographs, book chapters, international conference proceedings, practitioner periodicals and numerous consultancy and government reports. Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts from Griffith University, a Graduate Diploma in Business and PhD from The University of Queensland.

Lisa has been involved in almost 30 academic and consultancy research projects in Australia and overseas. Her research areas include sustainable tourism destination policy and planning, climate change and Indigenous tourism. Lisa has worked extensively as a consultant, external collaborator and executive committee member with a variety of divisions of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. In 2010 Lisa was awarded a fellowship under the Oxford Brookes University International Visiting Fellow Scheme in the United Kingdom. She holds a Bachelor of Administration (Hons) from James Cook University, Bachelor of Business and Graduate Certificate in Education and PhD from The University of Queensland