معرفی
Dr. Sera Vada is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Griffith Institute for Tourism, Griffith University, specializing in tourism well-being research. Born in Fiji, she completed her undergraduate degree in tourism management at the University of Queensland, followed by a master's degree in development studies at the University of the South Pacific, and earned her PhD at Griffith University in 2017.
Her research focuses on the intersection of tourism experiences and psychological well-being, with particular emphasis on Pacific contexts:
- Tourism Well-being and Positive Psychology
- Pacific Tourism Development
- Sustainable Tourism Practices
- Disaster Resilience in Tourism
- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Tourism Contexts
Dr. Vada's current work explores how repeat visitation affects visitor well-being in Pacific destinations, particularly Fiji, and investigates transformational triggers of international study tours using photo-elicitation methods. She is preparing a grant application for the Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) to examine how Pacific well-being approaches can build resilience among seasonal migrant workers in Australia.
As an early career researcher, Dr. Vada emphasizes the importance of mentorship and has developed strong collaborative networks with Griffith Institute for Tourism, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Massey University. She is committed to evidence-based research that influences policy and improves livelihoods in tourism-dependent communities, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 for health and well-being.
Dr. Vada advocates for maintaining personal well-being in research careers, practicing daily fitness workouts, social connections, and family time as essential components of professional sustainability.
