Stephen Boyd

Professor Stephen Boyd is Professor of Tourism in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ulster University Business School. He is based at the Coleraine campus and has been with Ulster University since 2004. He also serves as a visiting research professor at Luoyang Normal University in China.

His educational background includes:

• Geography degree from Queen's University Belfast
• Master's in Historical Geography from University of Regina, Canada
• PhD in Geography from University of Western Ontario, Canada

Professor Boyd's research focuses on the non-business aspects of tourism, with particular expertise in heritage tourism, tourism and national parks, tourism and trails, and tourism in post-conflict regions. His work has significant implications for sustainable tourism development and destination management in complex socio-political contexts. He has published over 100 works including 45 book chapters, with his books on 'heritage tourism' and 'tourism and national parks' translated into multiple languages.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on post-conflict tourism development, sustainable tourism practices, and the application of tourism models to specific contexts like golf tourism and coastal rejuvenation. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in destination management.

His notable recognition includes:

• Emerald Literati Award for Excellence 2012, Highly Commended

Professor Boyd serves on editorial boards of leading tourism journals and is currently an external examiner at Anglia Ruskin University. He provides professional advice to industry bodies including serving as a special advisor to Tourism Northern Ireland. He currently supervises two PhD students researching resident empowerment in Greek Island contexts and urban tourism sustainability in Northern Ireland.

He leads research projects including the 'Comprehensive tourism revival framework for social-economic development in post-conflict Kashmir: Lessons from Northern Ireland' (2019-2022), demonstrating his commitment to applying tourism research to real-world challenges in post-conflict regions.