Research Centres

We are home to 50 doctoral researchers exploring the cutting edge of our field. We are active in both academic (curiosity-driven) and strategic (issue-led) research.

Our research extends from site-level micro studies to national plans and from feasibility studies through to major impact assessments. Our investigations cover a wide spectrum of activities including tourism, hospitality, events, retail, leisure and sports and is divided into the following three centres:

International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research (ICTHR)

Work in this centre encompasses every aspect of tourism development and its economic, environmental and socio-cultural effects. From hands on support for small businesses to policy and strategic advice for international agencies. From food service and applied nutrition research to sustainability and e-tourism technology.

Centre for Event & Sport Research (CESR)

This multidisciplinary centre focuses on events, sport and retail. The work of the centre has explored diverse areas such as sport participation and spectatorship, health and physical activity, event legacy and planning, sport tourism and consumer behaviour.

The Market Research Group (MRG)

This market research agency is home to expertise in local government and social research and is staffed by full-time researchers. It is equipped to handle large-scale, national-survey projects and quantitative, qualitative, ad hoc and longitudinal studies.