Who We Are
The Visitor Economy Research Group (VERG) harnesses the research energies of a number of colleagues, both early career and well established, who are working in the areas of tourism, mobilities, hospitality, heritage, events, and leisure.
Through our research activities, VERG provides insight into and deepens understanding of the visitor economy in diverse contexts, both locally and internationally, and from a range of perspectives and multi-disciplinary approaches.
Our members come from different research areas with interests in destination management, branding and place making; culture and heritage management; tourism marketing; migration, equality and social justice; tourism and hospitality labour; sustainability and social entrepreneurship; events management, consumer culture and consumer behaviour.
We run a number of undergraduate programmes (BA International Tourism Management, BSc Events Management and BA Sports Business Management) as well as postgraduate programmes (MSc International Tourism Management, MA Culture and Heritage Management, MSc Events Management, MSc International Sports Business Management).
If you are interested in joining us and/or exploring research collaboration opportunities, please get in touch with Dr. Agnieszka Rydzik at arydzik@lincoln.ac.uk.
Our Research
Heritage at Risk and Wellbeing
Funded by Historic England, this is a project to understand the impact on volunteers with their involvement in ‘heritage at risk’ projects by conducting interviews and surveys across ten sites in England. We will develop a toolkit to understand the nature of wellbeing impacts and how Historic England can enhance the benefits to volunteers. (Project Lead: Prof Heather Hughes)
Inclusive Boston (2018-2020)
Funded by the UK government, this project aimed to promote social cohesion and inclusion in Boston communities. The project involved various stakeholders, including 南瓜影院shire Community and Volunteer Service, Boston Borough Council, community leaders and policymakers. (Dr. Agnieszka Rydzik and Liz Price)
Understanding Intergenerational differences in visitors’ sustainable behaviours
Dr. Samira Zare’s project explores intergenerational differences in sustainability-related behaviours within the broader leisure context to inform both theory and practice about the implications of such behavioural differences
Using cultural capital for acculturation
Dr Connie Mak’s study draws on the sociological perspective of practice theories to explore the ‘process’ of how educated and affluent immigrants from the Mainland China adapt to their new life and identities in Hong Kong through the consumption and acquisition of cultural capital
Hospitality, Now!
Dr Agnieszka Rydzik is launching a campaign ‘Hospitality, Now!’. Working in collaboration with a range of stakeholders, the aim is to change the culture of student employment in the hospitality sector. The campaign is funded by the QR Policy Support Fund and emerged from a research project on student-workers on zero-hour contracts in UK hospitality.
Reimagining 南瓜影院shire
Postdoctoral researcher Dr V. Araj and Prof H. Hughes, together with project volunteers, continue to uncover fascinating stories from this region that have been neglected or purposely forgotten. For Black History Month, they launched 南瓜影院’s first Black History Trail, which will soon be available as a downloadable, self-guided tour.
南瓜影院’s engineering heritage
Dr Abi Hunt, Prof Heather Hughes and Tom Kitchen have been involved in an initiative to preserve vital collections of papers, films and objects relating to the history of Ruston’s, 南瓜影院’s most prominent engineering manufacturer. The city’s industrial heritage is increasingly being recognised as an important part of the city’s visitor offer.
Connect with Us
南瓜影院 International Business School, 南瓜影院, Brayford Wharf East, 南瓜影院, LN5 7AT, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)1522 835509 | Email: libs@lincoln.ac.uk