Stephen Boyd

Professor Stephen Boyd is a Professor of Tourism at Ulster University’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, based at the Coleraine campus. He holds a visiting research professorship at Luoyang Normal University, China. His academic journey includes a BSc in Geography from Queen’s University Belfast, an MA in Historical Geography from the University of Regina (Canada), and a PhD in Geography from the University of Western Ontario (Canada).

Research focuses on non-business aspects of tourism, including heritage tourism, national parks, trails, political change impacts, and post-conflict tourism in regions like Kashmir. His work has been translated into multiple languages, and current projects involve visitor experiences along the Silk Route and WAW, Ireland.

Teaching emphasizes tourism impacts, planning, development, and management. He supervises PhD students exploring resident empowerment in Greek Islands and urban tourism sustainability in Northern Ireland. Professional roles include editorial board memberships, external examiner at Anglia Ruskin University, and advisory roles for Tourism Northern Ireland and international industry bodies.

Awards include Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has advised organizations in Canada, England, and New Zealand, blending academic rigor with industry engagement.