Professor Sujana Adapa is a Professor and Head of the UNE Business School at the University of New England. She specializes in Management (Strategy & Marketing) and teaches courses such as Strategic Marketing and Consumer Behaviour. Her research focuses on SMEs, corporate social responsibility (CSR), technology adoption, and gender diversity. She holds a BSc (Ag), MSc (Ag), MBA (India), and PhD (UNE). **Education**: BSc (Agriculture) MSc (Agriculture) MBA (India) PhD (University of New England) **Research Interests**: Consumer studies, gender research, technology adoption, regional entrepreneurship, SMEs, sustainability, and CSR. Current projects include studies on women’s career progression in accounting firms and CSR practices in SMEs across Australia, Malaysia, and India. **Awards**: 2016 ANZAM Educator of the Year 2016 Australian Awards for University Teaching Citation 2016 HEA Senior Fellowship (UK) Multiple LearnX Awards (2015–2016) **Grants and Roles**: Grants totaling over $1M in areas like workplace safety, innovation ecosystems, and inclusive workplaces. Deputy Head of School (2019), Course Coordinator (2017–2019), and equity committee roles. Editorial roles for journals like Small Enterprise Research . **Teaching and Leadership**: Awards include the 2017 UNE Teaching Excellence Award for multimedia-enhanced teaching. She supervises HDR students in marketing, consumer behavior, and SME innovation.
Milica Luković is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism (University of Kragujevac). Her career spans roles in Natural Resource Management , Ecotourism , and Food and Beverage Management , with a focus on sustainable practices. Education: BSc in Biology, University of Belgrade (2008) MSc in Agriculture, University of Belgrade (2011) PhD in Agriculture, University of Belgrade (2019) Research interests center on sustainable tourism , nature conservation , ethnobotany , and ethnogastronomy , particularly in the context of rural development and biocultural heritage. Her work integrates ecological studies with tourism frameworks for environmental stewardship. Recent publications (2022–2025) explore topics like halophytic vegetation , regenerative tourism in biosphere reserves, and traditional food products in pandemic-era tourism. These span disciplines including Food Science , Ecosystem Services , and Environmental Management . Projects include collaborations with The Rufford Foundation on coastal and saline ecosystem conservation and UNESCO-MaB initiatives related to climate change and biosphere reserves.
Rico Piehler is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Marketing within Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. His academic journey began at the University of Bremen, Germany, where he studied Business Studies and Economics before earning his Doctor of Economics and Social Sciences (summa cum laude) in 2010. Education: Doctor of Economics and Social Sciences (2010), University of Bremen Diplom-Ökonom (2005), University of Bremen Research Interests: Internal & Employer Branding Brand Communication & Social Media Marketing City Branding & Brand Competitiveness Academic-Practitioner Gap Rico's research focuses on developing robust branding frameworks with practical applications, particularly in measuring brand competitiveness and advancing internal branding strategies. His work spans academic-practitioner collaborations, with recent projects addressing the academic-practitioner gap in branding research. Rico's publications in journals like Journal of Product & Brand Management and European Journal of Marketing reflect his expertise in branding theory and practice. He emphasizes actionable insights through co-authored textbooks and practitioner-focused articles. Scientific awards include multiple Best Paper Awards at ANZMAC conferences (2018, 2021, 2023) and recognition as a Highly Commended Finalist in Macquarie University's 2023 Vice-Chancellor's Learning and Teaching Awards. He supervises PhD and Master of Research students in branding-related topics, applying a research-led teaching philosophy that combines enthusiasm with academic rigor. Rico actively contributes to academic leadership as Associate Editor for Journal of Product & Brand Management and through editorial board memberships. He collaborates with industry partners like Deutsche Post DHL and Deutsche Telekom, addressing strategic branding challenges such as brand positioning and identity development.
Matias Thuen Jørgensen is an Associate Professor and head of the Center for Tourism Research at Roskilde University, Denmark, within the Department of Social Sciences and Business. His interdisciplinary research bridges business studies, sociology, and human geography to examine tourism's societal impacts, with empirical focus on Chinese tourism markets and Nordic destinations. He holds a PhD in Tourism Management from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2017), awarded through the competitive Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme. His educational foundation combines rigorous academic training with field expertise in tourism phenomena. The PhD research at Hong Kong Polytechnic University established his methodological approach to analyzing tourism distribution systems through Activity Theory and Actor-Network Theory frameworks. Jørgensen's research critically examines tourism's role in sustainable community development, emphasizing how mundane everyday experiences create destination value in Nordic contexts. His work explores social value creation through tourist-resident interactions, regenerative tourism models like CopenPay, and the socio-economic implications of tourism transitions in peri-urban areas. Key themes include the ethical dimensions of tourism development, community mobilization through social entrepreneurship, and the complex interplay between tourism policy and local realities. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals dominant trends in regenerative tourism frameworks, micro-level host-guest interactions, and policy responses to overtourism challenges. His scholarship increasingly focuses on climate-responsive tourism models, ethical pricing mechanisms in aviation, and regulatory approaches to short-term rentals, demonstrating consistent evolution toward solution-oriented sustainability research. Notable recognitions include: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (2014) Nomination for Danish National University Teaching Award (2023) Peter Keller Award (2022) Roskilde University Teaching Prize (2022) Teacher of the Year Award, Roskilde University (2022) As principal investigator on seven research projects totaling over 3 million DKK in funding, Jørgensen has secured grants from diverse sources including industry partnerships and public research councils. Current projects include the SeNSE initiative on sustainable nature-based tourism entrepreneurship and the Tourism Business Model Tool development. He actively supervises doctoral research on social value creation in urban tourism encounters while contributing to policy formulation through UNWTO engagements and frequent media commentary. Leading the Center for Tourism Research (CFTR), he fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration between academics, industry stakeholders, and policymakers. His recent activities include organizing the 2025 Academy of Management symposium on tourism transitions and establishing the 'Tourism and Everyday Life in Cities' research network, positioning CFTR at the forefront of contemporary tourism scholarship.
Paulo Sérgio Teixeira Costa is a professor in higher education and researcher at the University of Aveiro (Portugal), pursuing a PhD in Tourism. He specializes in Marketing, Tourism, and Planning/Management of Major Events. His research focuses on co-creation processes, touristic experiences, and cultural event strategies. Previously, he served as councillor for Tourism, Culture, and Marketing in Ílhavo Municipality (2002–2017). He is affiliated with the GOVCOPP research unit (Governance, Competitiveness, and Public Policy) and UNIDCOM/IADE. Education: PhD candidate in Tourism (University of Aveiro) Professional Titles: Specialist Professor in Marketing (2019) and Tourism (2021) Research interests include leveraging co-creation in cultural festivals, destination branding, and sustainable tourism strategies. His work emphasizes innovation in event redevelopment and the interplay between cultural heritage and visitor experiences. Key publications analyze case studies like the Bacalhau Festival and explore storytelling in maritime tourism. His contributions address effective event management and territorial strategies anchored in cultural assets.
Pascal Scherrer is Associate Dean (Research) and Professor within the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts at Southern Cross University . Based in Lismore, Australia, he combines an administrative leadership role with active research in sustainability, regional development, tourism and visitor management. His work bridges academia, industry and government, having jointly secured over AUD $2 million in competitive funding and delivered high-impact projects for clients such as the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service and the Australian Meat Processor Corporation. Education BSc – Griffith University BSc (Hons) – Griffith University Graduate Certificate TESOL – Bond University PhD – Griffith University Research Interests Dr Scherrer’s scholarship centres on sustainability science applied to tourism and regional development. His current flagship project is a circular-economy partnership with the Australian Meat Processor Corporation aiming to reduce plastic packaging waste across red-meat supply chains. Earlier work includes sustainable-visitor-capacity assessments on Rottnest Island , alternatives to summiting Wollumbin-Mt Warning that informed a AUD $7.4 million NSW government trail investment, and longitudinal monitoring of visitor experiences at Point Fraser artificial wetland in Perth. Cross-cutting themes include visitor risk perception in remote alpine and coastal settings, community engagement in protected-area governance, Indigenous tourism business models , and the intersection of digital culture (e.g., selfie-taking) with tourism safety. Scientific Awards 2023 – Southern Cross University Research Award 2014 – Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagement Grants & Advising Scherrer has jointly attracted over AUD $2 million in research and consultancy funding from state and federal agencies, industry bodies and NGOs. He currently supervises Honours and PhD candidates across topics in sustainable tourism, regional development and visitor management, and teaches undergraduate and postgraduate units covering sustainable tourism, visitor-economy management, and planning & policy. Professional Affiliations & Service Member, IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Member, North Coast Regional Advisory Committee, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service External facilitator for community and local-government projects
Robert Peaslee is an Associate Professor in the Journalism & Creative Media Industries program of the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University , where he also serves as Associate Dean of the Honors College . His scholarship bridges media anthropology, fan studies, and adaptation theory, with particular attention to the cultural politics of superheroes, screen tourism, and global media flows. Education Ph.D., University of Colorado, Boulder, 2007 Research Interests Peaslee’s work interrogates how media texts and industries shape social power relations. Employing ethnographic and textual methods, he has examined: fan cultures and participatory audiences the spatial politics of screen tourism destinations such as Hobbiton and Game of Thrones filming sites the global circulation of superhero narratives and their moral economies representations of place, memory, and identity in film and television Across these strands he explores how media producers and consumers co-create meaning, often through transnational and digital contexts. Publication Trajectory His recent publications display a consistent focus on adaptation and transmedia storytelling, especially where comic-book superheroes and cult texts intersect with tourism and fan labor. The 2020 co-edited volume The Supervillain Reader and the 2016 collection Marvel Comics into Film exemplify his leadership in consolidating critical discourse around comic-to-screen adaptation. Parallel articles on screen tourism investigate how locations such as New Zealand’s Hobbiton or Northern Ireland’s Game of Thrones sites become contested spaces of authenticity and commodification. Awards & Honors Member, TTU Teaching Academy TTU President’s Excellence in Teaching Award Professing Excellence Award, Research Chair, Visual Communication Division, AEJMC (2011) 2nd Place, Top Faculty Papers Competition, AEJMC Visual Communications Division (2010) 2009–2010 Professing Excellence Award, Texas Tech University 2010 Nominee – Outstanding Faculty, Student Disability Services, Texas Tech University Teaching, Service & Leadership Peaslee teaches undergraduate and graduate courses that integrate critical theory with creative practice, including Visual Communication, Writing for Series Television, and Qualitative Research Methods. He has coordinated the TTU International Film Series and formerly served as Programming Chair for the Flatland Film Festival in Lubbock. His record of service includes editorial board membership for the American Communication Journal and leadership roles within AEJMC’s Visual Communication Division. Labs & Creative Spaces While no formal lab is listed, his ongoing longitudinal ethnographic projects on screen-tourism sites and his editorial collaborations function as de facto research collectives involving graduate students and international scholars.
Concetta Castiglione serves as Associate Professor of Political Economy within the Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance (DESF) at the University of Calabria, Italy. Previously, she held Assistant Professor positions at DESF and conducted post-doctoral research at the University of Bologna's Department of Statistical Sciences. Her scholarly work centers on cultural participation, tourism economics, consumer demand dynamics, productivity analysis, ICT investments, and environmental policy impacts. Her academic credentials include a PhD in Economics from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and a Doctoral degree in Applied Economics from the University of Calabria, Italy. These qualifications underpin her expertise in applying rigorous economic methodologies to cultural and environmental domains. Professor Castiglione's research program reveals three interconnected strands: (1) Cultural economics examining theater attendance patterns, digital engagement with visual arts, and circus industry dynamics; (2) Tourism efficiency studies analyzing contextual factors in Italian destinations and cross-national productivity gains; (3) Environmental policy research investigating food consumption emissions, nutritional policies, and ICT-driven sustainability. Her methodological approach frequently employs non-parametric efficiency analysis and decomposition techniques to evaluate institutional performance and policy impacts. Analysis of her 2019-2024 publications indicates intensifying focus on digital cultural consumption (evident in 2023's Live and digital engagement with the visual arts ) and cross-national comparative studies (e.g., 2023's European performing arts analysis). While maintaining strong Italian case study focus, her work increasingly incorporates UK and pan-European perspectives, particularly regarding environmental policy evaluation. Scientific Awards: Professor Castiglione serves as reviewer for multiple international journals, though no specific awards, fellowships, or medals are documented in the source material. Advising and Grants: She teaches Economics of the Cultural Industry (MEDIA AND DIGITAL SOCIETY program), Economics of Human Resources (ECONOMICS program), and Personnel Economics (BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION program). While student advising details are unavailable, her course development demonstrates commitment to training next-generation economists. Research grant information is not explicitly provided, though her sustained publication output suggests active research funding.
Professor Xavier Font is a faculty member at the University of Surrey's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, affiliated with the Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy. He holds an MSc and PhD in related fields. His research focuses on sustainable tourism production and consumption, including sustainability marketing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and policy analysis. He leads a project with Therme Group to develop crypto-based systems for measuring and reducing tourism emissions, emphasizing digital platforms for carbon footprint management. Education: MSc, PhD (details unspecified) Research Interests: Sustainable tourism certification, policy frameworks, climate change mitigation, and pro-environmental behavior. Recent publications emphasize trends like sustainability communication challenges, blockchain applications in carbon reduction, and CSR in tourism enterprises. His work addresses policy complexity and the disconnect between sustainability evidence and actionable policies. Collaborations include the European Commission and industry partners like Travalyst coalition members (Amadeus, Booking.com, etc.). Current Projects: Crypto-based emissions systems, EU policy evaluations, and sustainable tourism indicator systems. Grants: Involvement in large-scale EU-funded initiatives and industry partnerships. Advising five PhD students on topics like sustainable hospitality, consumer behavior, and tourism policy. Active in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate courses, emphasizing culturally sensitive sustainability practices and international case studies. Labs/Teams: Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy (SWELL), leading interdisciplinary research on tourism sustainability challenges and innovations.
Dr Monica Chien is an Associate Professor at the School of Business, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, The University of Queensland. With multidisciplinary expertise in marketing, psychology, and tourism, her research focuses on consumer behavior, tourist-host dynamics, and branding strategies. She has led international projects on sport scandals, tourism sustainability, and resident-tourist intergroup relations. Bachelor of Business (Administration), Queensland University of Technology Master of Business (Coursework), Queensland University of Technology Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland Her research bridges experimental studies with practical applications in traveler behavior , social identity theory , and pro-environmental tourism practices . Recent projects explore sport scandals' impact on brands, international education-tourism nexus, and resident responses to tourism development. She supervises PhD candidates in topics like augmented reality marketing, cultural policy, and First Nations legacy planning. Key funding includes grants from the Japan Science and Technology Agency , ARC Linkage Projects , and The Academy of Korean Studies . Her work appears in top journals like Journal of Sustainable Tourism , Annals of Tourism Research , and European Sport Management Quarterly , with themes spanning social identity, sustainable practices, and behavioral interventions.
Professor Mihalis Kavaratzis holds the title of Professor of Place Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University's Business School. He joined in 2022 and previously served as an Associate Professor at the University of Leicester. His expertise lies in place marketing, place branding, and tourism destination marketing, with a focus on participatory approaches and cultural dimensions. He co-founded the International Place Branding Association and serves on editorial boards of multiple journals. Education includes a PhD on City Marketing from the University of Groningen, an MSc in Marketing from the University of Stirling, and a Business Administration degree from Greece. He has advised local governments on place branding strategies and delivered over 30 keynote speeches. Awards include Senior Fellowship of the Institute of Place Management and recognition for impactful research in place branding. Research interests emphasize resident engagement, co-creation in branding, and sustainability. He has supervised eight PhD students and examined 15 doctoral theses globally. His work bridges theory and practice, with notable contributions to journals like Tourism Management and Marketing Theory. Labs/Teams: Part of the Institute of Place Management at MMU and collaborates with the International Place Branding Association. Actively involved in the Chair for Place Attractiveness and Marketing at the University of Marseille.
Dušan Borovčanin is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Singidunum University and the University of Strasbourg, EM Business School, France. He currently serves as CEO of EXPO 2027 Belgrade, having previously held roles such as Project Manager for Belgrade’s EXPO 2027 candidacy and CEO of the Serbia Convention Bureau. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, he has been recognized with the 'Meeting Star' award (2021-2022) and a National Scholarship (2018). Education: Doctoral studies in Postgraduate Studies Department, Singidunum University (2015-2020) Master’s in Postgraduate Studies, Singidunum University (2014-2015) Bachelor’s in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Singidunum University (2010-2014) High School: Third Belgrade Gymnasium (Bilingual French-Serbian, 2006-2010) Research interests focus on Tourism Economics, Events Management, Hotel Management, Revenue Management, and Sports Tourism. He contributes to the editorial boards of SCOPUS-indexed journals like Academica Turistica and International Journal of Business Events and Legacies . His work emphasizes sustainable development goals in sport tourism and technology integration in hospitality. Publications include co-authored books on sport tourism and over 20 peer-reviewed articles/conference papers analyzing topics like robotization in hospitality, post-pandemic tourism recovery, and competitive pricing strategies. Awards and recognitions highlight his leadership in the meetings industry and teaching excellence. Professional experience includes roles in top hotel management firms and strategic advisory for tourism organizations. He actively bridges academia with industry through applied research and executive leadership in major tourism initiatives like EXPO 2027 Belgrade.
Dr. Alessandro Inversini is an Associate Professor at the EHL Hospitality Business School, part of HES-SO University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland. His primary role involves teaching and researching in the Department of Global Hospitality Business, focusing on marketing, digital transformation, and sustainability within the hospitality and tourism sectors. Educational Background: No explicit educational details provided in the text. Research Interests: Explores the transformative impact of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, ChatGPT) on hospitality operations and customer experience. Advocates for regenerative and net-positive approaches to sustainability in the hospitality industry. Investigates CSR communication strategies on social media and cross-cultural dynamics in tourism reviews. Analyzes digital media’s role in B2B relationships and customer-centric frameworks. Article Trends: Recent works emphasize AI-driven changes in tourism, ethical digital transformation, and CSR practices. Key themes include regenerative hospitality, cultural review differences, and leveraging social media for transformative learning. Awards: No scientific awards explicitly listed. Advising & Grants: Guided research on regenerative hospitality in Lebanon and transformative homestay experiences in Malaysia. Contributed to international conferences like ENTER2016 and EuroCHRIE 2024. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving digital tools for rural development and ethical technology integration in hospitality.
Denni Arli is an Associate Professor in Marketing and Discipline Lead at the Tasmanian School of Business and Economics (TSBE), University of Tasmania. He has previously held academic positions at the University of Minnesota Duluth, USA, and Griffith University, Australia, demonstrating a strong international academic trajectory. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Marketing within the TSBE, where he contributes significantly to research, teaching, and leadership. His educational qualifications include a PhD in Marketing from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Arts in International Business from St. Mary's University of Minnesota, USA, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Petra Christian University, Indonesia. These diverse academic foundations underpin his multidisciplinary research approach. Denni Arli's research centers on critical social and ethical dimensions of consumer behavior. His principal areas of interest include Social Marketing , Consumer Ethics , Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) , Consumer Religiosity , and Marketing Technology . He investigates how values, beliefs, and societal issues influence marketing practices and consumer decisions, particularly in contexts involving sustainability, health, and digital innovation. His work often adopts a cross-cultural perspective, engaging with collaborators from Australia, the USA, New Zealand, India, and Indonesia. His recent publications (2023–2025) reveal a consistent and impactful research agenda focused on ethical consumerism, digital marketing ethics, sustainability, and the role of religiosity in shaping consumer attitudes. Topics range from cultured meat acceptance and green marketing orientation to eWOM in tourism and privacy concerns in online advertising. These works are published in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Business Ethics , European Journal of Marketing , and Marketing Intelligence and Planning , indicating high scholarly impact and thematic coherence. Associate Editor , Marketing Intelligence and Planning (since June 2023) Editorial Review Board Member , Journal of Business Ethics, Springer (since February 2023) Denni Arli is actively involved in research supervision and grant acquisition. He currently supervises doctoral research on sustainable rural markets, cultured meat acceptance, and entrepreneurial intention among youth. He has successfully secured competitive external funding, including an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant and grants from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, supporting projects on social marketing interventions in Australia and Indonesia. These projects address pressing societal challenges such as alcohol use, obesity, tourism recovery, and sustainability education. He leads and participates in funded research initiatives, including a consultancy for the Tasmanian Greens on greyhound racing industry transition and a DFAT-funded project to equip Indonesian teachers with sustainability education tools. These engagements highlight his commitment to applying academic research to real-world policy and community outcomes.
André Rui Graça is a Lecturer at Lusófona University and an active researcher at CICANT . He has previously held guest professorships at Universidade da Beira Interior and Instituto Politécnico de Tomar, while contributing as a post-graduate teaching assistant at University College London. Education : PhD and MA in Film Studies (UCL), Executive MBA (University of Coimbra), BA in Art Studies (University of Coimbra) with merit awards Research Interests His research focuses on Portuguese cinema , film-market dynamics , film-music interrelations , and filmmaker theory . Publications explore cultural policies, precarity in European film industries, and entrepreneurship education, particularly in tourism contexts. Recent peer-reviewed articles examine global-local tensions in Portuguese cinema, precarity representation in media, and audience engagement with comedy films, reflecting his interest in socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of film. Conference presentations at NYU, Oxford, and UNICAMP highlight international recognition of his work. Scientific contributions include editing volumes on filmmaker theory and serving as a journal reviewer. His CresCine project (EU-funded) addresses competitiveness in small European film industries, demonstrating policy-oriented research expertise.
