Laura Zizka

Laura Zizka is a Professor at the EHL Hospitality Business School, part of the HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland. Her research focuses on crisis communication, sustainability in hospitality, and the evolution of higher education during crises. She holds a BSc in Hospitality Management from EHL and has led multiple interdisciplinary projects, including a 2019-2020 study on destination image funded by HES-SO Rectorat. Her work bridges academic research with practical industry applications, emphasizing resilience, digital transformation, and environmental responsibility.

Education: BSc HES-SO in Hospitality Management from EHL Hospitality Business School.

Research Interests: Crisis communication strategies in hospitality, sustainability literacy in STEM and hospitality programs, digital learning in higher education, and the role of imagery in destination branding. She has pioneered studies on pandemic-era teaching methods and the integration of trauma-informed pedagogy in faculty development.

Grants and Projects: Principal investigator on a CHF 99,000 project (2019-2020) exploring pictorial content’s impact on destination image and tourist intentions. Collaborated on studies analyzing Swiss hotel crisis communication during the pandemic and Egyptian tourism resilience.

Professional Contributions: Authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, with a focus on transforming academic practices to meet 21st-century challenges. Co-developed models for blended learning, E-PEB (Extraordinary Pro-Environmental Behavior), and trauma-informed educational strategies. Active in faculty development initiatives, emphasizing digital tools and pedagogical innovation.

Notable Achievements: Her work on digital education post-pandemic has shaped institutional policies, while her research on CSR communication in airlines and food waste mitigation has influenced industry practices. She is a frequent speaker at global conferences, addressing topics like Gen AI in academia and sustainability in STEM.