About us

The Tourism and Events Hub aims to provide a clearly defined research and knowledge exchange offer to the visitor economy in Kent and beyond.

It brings together a team of researchers with areas of expertise ranging from tourism, culture and the arts, stakeholder analysis, participation and engagement, UK policy, destination management and marketing  to collaborate on research and consultancy projects, provide bespoke training to the sector and access to a wide range of resources.

Within our University setting, we are also in a unique position to network with a wide range of researchers with skills and expertise that may be drawn upon to contribute to specific projects when additionally required.

As our profiles below will demonstrate, the ‘Hub’ team has a wide range of experience in research and consultancy over a number of years.  The Tourism and Events Research Hub aims to consolidate the combined experiences and skills of the team, with the aim of raising our profile as a more integral part of the visitor economy, with a clearly defined research and knowledge exchange offer. 

Meet the team 

Dr Karen Thomas (Director) Destination management and marketing; UK policy making for the visitor economy; stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange	PROFILE
Dr Ken Aduhene Tourism and international development	PROFILE
Dr Jim Butcher Human geography; cultural politics and policy; international tourism policy and development	PROFILE
Dr Jane Lovell Heritage and cultural partnerships; employing visual methodologies; implementing light shows	PROFILE
Adesola Osinaike Revenue and performance management in tourism, leisure and events	PROFILE
Richard Pole Geographical Information Systems; project management; arts tourism; questionnaire design and analysis.	PROFILE
Dr Julie Scott Sustainable community based tourism development; cultural destinations and local livelihoods; sustainable tourism management training; gambling and casino tourism.	PROFILE
Zanda Serdane Destination marketing; services marketing and management, tourism marketing.	PROFILE
Dr Marion Stuart-Hoyle Tourism as a subject in higher education; heritage tourism; tourism marketing; transition into higher education	PROFILE
Lorna Thomas Heritage tourism; dark tourism, tourism in Africa	PROFILE
Prof. Peter Vujakovic Mapping and sense of place, with interests in use of visitor maps in 'place branding' and access issues	PROFILE