معرفی
Dr. Christine Van Winkle is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Manitoba, specializing in community-based festival and event research. Her work uniquely bridges academic theory with practical event management, focusing on real-world applications that strengthen community resilience through cultural events.
Her academic credentials include:
- Doctor of Philosophy (2007) from Clemson University
- Master of Arts (2002) from the University of Manitoba
Dr. Van Winkle's research centers on festival experiences, emergency management at events, and festivals' role in community disaster recovery. She investigates how cultural events foster social cohesion during crises, examining technology's impact on attendee engagement and developing frameworks for crisis preparedness. Her community-engaged methodology emphasizes practical solutions for event planners and emergency managers.
Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals a critical shift toward integrating disaster management with event studies. Her work demonstrates how festivals serve as platforms for community recovery after wildfires and other disasters, while simultaneously addressing emerging challenges like smartphone distractions and volunteer coordination in emergency scenarios.
Her scholarly excellence is recognized through prestigious awards:
- Outstanding Reviewer Award, International Journal of Event and Festival Management (2021)
- Outstanding Paper Award for 'Mobile device use during festivals' (2017)
- Highly Commended Paper Award for 'Sense of community and perceptions of festival social impacts' (2015)
- Best Conference Paper Award for 'Your Festival in 140 Characters or Less*' (2014)
With extensive practical experience as a festival volunteer coordinator, supervisor, and consultant, Dr. Van Winkle currently serves on the board of directors for the Gas Station Arts Centre (producer of the nationally televised Winnipeg Comedy Festival). Her dual expertise in academic research and operational event management creates unique opportunities for knowledge translation between theory and practice.
