As part of a collaboration between EarthCheck and the Griffith Business School/GIFT, a PhD scholarship is being offered across one of the following key three research areas – 1. Risk, resilience, and disaster management across the visitor economy Research in risk, resilience, and disaster management in the visitor economy is critical for ensuring the safety and sustainability of the industry, as well as for informing policymaking and regulatory frameworks. Applicants applying under the risk, resilience and disaster management stream could focus on: System-based, and context-specific risk assessment tools which capture the unique characteristics of the visitor economy; Enhancing the resilience of local communities through community-based disaster management approaches – engaging the visitor economy as the epicentre; Incorporating technology, such as artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and big data analytics in disaster management and resilience.
2. Carbon reduction and net zero in the visitor economy The visitor economy needs to transform for climate action. Achieving net zero is critical to the sustainability of the global visitor economy. Applicants applying under the, carbon emissions and net zero stream could focus on: Communicating climate action with impact internally (across industry) and externally (with visitors) Strategies to assist with decarbonisation of tourism, hospitality and events Regenerative tourism activities and experiences with the potential to reduce carbon
3. Overtourism and carrying capacity in vulnerable destinations Carrying capacity and overtourism have the potential to cause negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and the visitor experience. Applicants applying under the overtourism and carrying capacity in vulnerable destinations stream could focus on: Innovative methods to determine and monitor carrying capacity. Responsible and regenerative tourism behaviour in destinations affected by issues in carrying capacity and overtourism; Advancing policies and regulatory frameworks in carrying capacity and overtourism in iconic tourism destinations. EarthCheck Research Institute (ERI) EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism. Since 1987, we have helped businesses, communities and governments to deliver sustainable, clean, safe and prosperous destinations for travellers to visit, live, work and play. We understand the value of big ideas and the importance of clear communication. We know that what can be good for the planet is also good for business. The EarthCheck Research Institute (ERI) brings together leading scientists, postdoctoral fellows, staff and students working in and across University research centres around the globe. The Griffith Business School is differentiated by our strong accent on values and incorporation of world-leading expertise in business, government, and international relations. Our research demonstrates the highest standards of academic rigour and independence, whilst delivering social and economic benefit to business, government, and the wider community. We maintain a culture of strong performance and promote our research achievements and its impact to a broad cross-section of audiences. Our mission is to support our research trainees to strive for greater heights in academic excellence, innovation, and impact. We have created an environment where nothing less than a first-class research journey is provided, where people at different stages of their career can build research profiles and thrive equally. Griffith University’s 2022 PhD Candidate Experience Survey showed that our current cohort had an overall satisfaction level of 89.6 percent – the highest score in the survey’s history. Training the next generation of researchers remains a priority, but with an enhanced focus on how research skills acquired from a PhD can improve career prospects outside of academia. GIFT Griffith Institute for Tourism (GIFT) is Australia’s largest tourism research institute with 55 academic members, 9 adjunct members and 58 PhD candidates from tourism and tourism-related disciplines, such as technology, economics, architecture, planning and environmental sciences. This industry collaborative PhD project shall be undertaken through a collaboration between the Griffith Business School/GIFT and their industry partner, EarthCheck. |