My research focuses on community-based recreation and tourism and the essential role of leisure in the health and well-being of communities and individuals. I'm interested in the ways that communities can use leisure as a way of building social capital, enhancing place identity and reducing social isolation. Many of my recent projects have focused on residents' sentiments towards tourism, visitors' behaviours and preferences, and the ways that rural recreation was impacted by the pandemic.
https://news.viu.ca/viu-professor-studies-how-pandemic-affected-recreation-programming-yukon
https://news.viu.ca/researchers-asking-cowichan-region-residents-how-they-feel-about-tourism
https://www.cowichanvalleycitizen.com/news/business-notes-cowichan-residents-being-asked-for-input-into-local-tourism/
https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/community/viu-students-expand-global-knowledge-through-exchange/