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Dr Julie Whitfield is a specialist in conference and events management. She gained her Bachelor’s degree from University of Reading, and came to Bournemouth in 1997 to complete a Masters in Tourism which subsequently led to her PhD. Her PhD is entitled ‘An analysis and critique of evolving conference venue styles and structures from post war to the present day within the UK’, which she completed at the International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality within BU’s School of Tourism in September 2005. Her thesis examines the temporal development of UK conference venues over the post-war period.
She has a vast amount of international experience, working at the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) in Macau, China, the world famous IHTTI School of Hotel Management in Neuchatel, Switzerland and Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. She is also an external examiner for the Dublin Institute of Technology and the University of Northampton.
Julie took up her most recent post at BU in 2005. Her research interests examine the introduction and implementation of green policies within conference venues. Julie is also engaged in innovative research projects. To this extent she has initiated a research partnership with Professor Leonardo (Don) Dioko at the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). “I am investigating the extent to which corporate social responsibility (CSR) is exhibited by UK and Chinese conference sectors, focusing on the implementation of discretionary environmental policies and practices,” says Julie. “This area interests me as it draws upon my PhD and my professional experience in the global conference industry and I am submitting journal papers and further contributing to knowledge in this field.”
Julie’s latest project involves an examination of the Macao Grand Prix. “Working in collaboration with both the Motorsports Research Group at BU and the Institute for Tourism Studies in Macau, we are working to find out the social and economic impacts to the host community.”
In March 2010, Julie was awarded £1,000 as one of only two BU Staff Overseas Travel Awards which enabled her to visit IFT. She also visited South Africa for a conference on environmental sustainability where she won second place in the Best Paper award: Whitfield, J.E. and Dioko, L., 2010. Measuring discretionary corporate social responsibility within the UK conference sector
When she gets time to relax she spends time with her young family.
The best thing about her job is collaborating with other academics and bringing an international focus to her subject area. She also finds teaching an exciting and fulfilling aspect of her role, particularly in mentoring students in managing live events. “This year alone I am leading the students in organizing an international video conference, dinner / dance and auction in aid of Help for Heroes, an international student nightclub event in aid of leukaemia research, student careers exhibition, a pamper evening in aid of Bright Space and the Tourism & Hospitality Ball,” says Julie.
“And ultimately I ensure that my research interests, notably that of greening events, feeds into the learning environment via my work with students.”
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