Rodrigo Lucena De Mello

Rodrigo Lucena De Mello is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Business and Law, University of Brighton, where he teaches marketing and conducts research on consumer behavior, gender, and sexuality in tourism and hospitality. He is an active member of the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender and the Tourism, Inclusion, Events and Society Research Excellence Group.

• PhD, University of Brighton (2016)
• MA in International Hospitality Management, Manchester Metropolitan University (2010)
• PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Brighton (2017)

His research focuses on consumer psychology, gender and sexuality in marketing, family travel decisions, and qualitative methodologies. He explores how identity, culture, and social norms shape consumer behavior, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities. His work emphasizes inclusivity, critical thinking, and transformative education.

The recent articles highlight a consistent focus on LGBTQ+ tourism, identity in travel, and qualitative inquiry. Themes include transgender inclusion in sports, gay family travel motivations, and critical perspectives on sexuality in hospitality. His research bridges marketing theory with social justice, advocating for more inclusive practices in tourism and consumer research.

His scientific awards include:

• Inspirational Teaching Award (2014, 2022)
• Facilitating and Empowering Learning Award (2019)

Rodrigo has supervised postgraduate research and served as an external examiner. He is actively involved in research projects such as the Iberian Lighting KTP on strategic branding and the Judge Sampson KTP on digital transformation. These projects reflect his engagement with industry and knowledge exchange, emphasizing real-world impact.

He is a key contributor to the Centre for Transforming Sexuality and Gender and participates in interdisciplinary research teams focused on inclusion, identity, and social transformation in business and tourism contexts.