UQ has a research agenda that is truly world-class and is appropriately reflected by UQ’s ranking inside the world’s top 50 universities and its membership of Australia’s prestigious Group of 8.

Research in the School is tied to everything we do. It informs our teaching and is the basis for the expertise we bring to our consulting work. In the classroom students are given the opportunity to not only hear from lecturers who are leading knowledge creators and agenda setters, but they are also able to be a part of this process through coursework research projects and our research higher degree programs. Many of our academic staff maintain close links with industry and government and their expertise is often drawn on in a consulting capacity.

Staff and students are researching in areas of study that are contributing to the knowledge base in disciplines outlined in the Research Profile.  

Click here for the 2011 School of Tourism Research Profile


 

W.James Whyte Visiting Research Fellowship

It is envisaged that the W. James Whyte Visiting Research Fellow will establish research partnerships with staff to undertake joint research projects leading to the submission of jointly authored high quality publications and/or development of a collaborative external competitive grant submission. As part of the program the Fellow will present a ‘targeted expert’ workshops for staff and/or conduct practical workshops for staff in relation to developing competitive research grant proposals.

W. James Whyte Fellowship Guidelines
W. James Whyte Fellowship Application Form

UQ Winter Research Scholarship Program

In 2012, the Office of Undergraduate Education will pilot a Winter Research Program. The pilot has been established in response to strong participation rates in other undergraduate research activities, including the Summer Research Program and Undergraduate Research Conference, as well as the expression of interest from a number of academic staff. A small number of enrolling units will be invited to participate in this year’s pilot program, which has the following objectives:

• provide students, who are unable to participate in the Summer program with an opportunity to undertake a research project at UQ;
• provide additional opportunities for students from the Northern Hemisphere to work with a UQ advisor and undertake a research internship at UQ during their summer break;
• increase the number of UQ students participating in an undergraduate research program; and
• pilot the feasibility of an annual Winter Research Program by gauging; interest from academic units, level of student participation, suitability of timing, and the feasibility of a condensed winter program to significantly contribute to a particular research project.

UQ Winter Research Program Guidelines for Staff
UQ Winter Research Program Guidelines for Students
Application Form
Available School Projects

UQ Summer Research Scholarship Program

The UQ Summer Research Scholarship (SRS) Program offers scholarships to students who are engaged in research projects over the summer vacation period. This experience provides students with the opportunity to work with a researcher in a formal research environment so that they may experience the research process and discover what research is being undertaken in their field of interest at UQ. In addition, some students may qualify to receive a scholarship for the duration of their summer research project. Allocation of the scholarships is decided by the faculty, school, research centre or institute where the research is undertaken.

The School of Tourism is one of Australia’s largest dedicated providers of teaching and research programs in tourism and is recognised for its research in tourism planning and policy and visitor behaviour.

The School continues to demonstrate the value of its research through the impact it has on government and industry in the planning and policy development for the tourism industry, both in Australia and internationally.

Both the quantity and quality of our School’s research activity has dramatically improved over the past 5 years. A total of 85 refereed journal articles have been published or accepted for publication during this period with more than 35% published in A* or A journals. A total of 36 Australian and 20 international research projects have commenced or been completed from 2009/2010.  During this period we have had 13 Research Higher Degree students complete their studies and hosted visits from 10 visiting scholars from locations as diverse as Germany, China and Sweden.

Examples of this is the ongoing work of Dr Robyn Stokes, which illustrates how research can assist industry and government by providing planning and strategy for future business directions. The work led by Dr Sally Driml to identify the impediments to tourism investment and to identify examples to overcome these impediments is important for identifying future research directions and recommending changes to government policy and planning. The research by Professor Roy Ballantyne and Dr Jan Packer on the role of zoos and aquariums in providing environmental learning experiences will help zoos and aquariums to better communicate conservation messages to visitors, and may result in changes to their practices.

All of these examples demonstrate the impact our research can have on industry and government.

For further information on School publications please click here or the current School Research Profile 

Below are a number of examples of current research projects.

The School of Tourism is the only university School in Australia to be certified by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and is an active member of the UNWTO Education Council. It is the only member of the Australian Group of Eight universities to feature comprehensive programs in travel and tourism management, event management and hotel and hospitality management. The School of Tourism is located within the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at The University of Queensland St Lucia campus. As a research higher degree student (RHD) in the School you will be able to take advantage of our close links with government and industry.

The School’s research strengths are recognised by industry and government with academics and researchers attracting contracts and grants to conduct innovative research that contributes new knowledge to the fields of tourism, hospitality and events. This new knowledge is communicated to a wide audience via industry and government reports, national and international conference presentations, participation on advisory committees, and high quality scholarly publications.

The School’s research strengths come under two broad themes: Visitor Experiences and Tourism Policy and Planning.

For further research group information click here. Below is a list of past and present PhD Students and their research topics.

For a list of topics for potential RHD Candidates please click here.