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Professor of Work, Employment and Organisation, University of Strathclyde

I am interested in the socio-cultural context of work in the service sector, with a particular focus on tourism in less developed countries. This interest has evolved from over 35 years of experience in the strategic planning and development of vocational and professional education and training, as a research director within the public sector, as an educator in universities and as consultant to the private sector and to public sector through internationally funded projects across five continents. I have worked with major international agencies including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), The World Bank, UNICEF, UNWTO and the European Union in supporting projects in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. Currently, I am working on major funded research projects that address the place of tourism at the interface between the ocean and coastal communities in the Global South, giving voice to marginalised communities relating to their role in tourism development in Kenya and addressing social exclusion as a consequence of the changing nature of work in European cities.

At Strathclyde University, I am currently Professor and Head of Department in the Department of Work, Employment and Organisation. I have published extensively on themes relating to people and work in the context of services and tourism and am regularly invited to address international conferences worldwide. I have also supervised over 35 successful PhD students working in this and related areas of HRD in tourism and hospitality and have been an examiner for over 100 candidates. I hold visiting appointments with universities in Australia and South Africa.

Born in Aberdeen, I hold academic degrees from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Nottingham Trent University and Strathclyde University, where I have completed two doctorates in the area of tourism employment.

Experience

  • 1990–1996
    Professor, Buckingham University
  • 1990–1996
    Professor, Buckingham University
  • 1982–1990
    Manager/ Head of Division, Research, CERT Ireland
  • 1982–1990
    Manager/ Divisional Head for Research, CERT Ireland
  • 1979–1982
    Lecturer, Ulster Polytechnic/ University of Ulster
  • 1979–1982
    Lecturer, Ulster Polytechnic/ University of Ulster