Carla Barbieri

Carla Barbieri is a Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University (NC State), part of the College of Natural Resources. She holds affiliations with the Tourism Extension and is a member of the PRTM Faculty and Graduate Faculty groups. Her education includes a Ph.D., M.S., and Bachelors/Professional Degree from institutions in the U.S. and Peru.

Her research focuses on agritourism, sustainable tourism, rural wellbeing, and local food systems. She investigates the socio-economic impacts of agritourism on rural communities, gender dynamics in agricultural ventures, and the role of tourism in preserving cultural heritage. Barbieri has contributed to projects like the NC Oyster Trail and craft beverage tourism studies, emphasizing community resilience and sustainable development.

Barbieri’s awards include the 2022 Outstanding Global Engagement Award and a 2019 Fulbright Scholarship. Her work bridges academia and practice, with notable grants totaling over $1.7M, including projects on local food clusters, shellfish mariculture tourism, and agricultural literacy among youth.

• Education:
  • Ph.D., Parks, Recreation & Tourism Resources, Michigan State University
  • M.S., Conservation of Forestry Resources, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
  • Bachelor’s/Professional Degree, Law & Political Sciences, Universidad de Lima

Her research trends highlight interdisciplinary approaches to tourism’s role in sustainability, leveraging agritourism to address climate change and economic disparities. She frequently collaborates with stakeholders to translate research into actionable strategies for rural development.

• Key Grants:
  • EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems ($1.1M, 2019-2023)
  • Mariculture Tourism ($119,784, 2019-2022)
  • Strengthening Local Food Systems Through Children ($499,536, 2017-2022)

Barbieri is affiliated with the Tourism Extension, leading applied research and outreach initiatives. Her work emphasizes community-driven solutions, such as the NC Oyster Trail and craft beverage tourism frameworks, to enhance regional economies and environmental stewardship.