Currently a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Geography Research Unit at the University of Oulu, Finland, conducting tourism and heritage research. Chair of the Leisure Studies Association and Director of Communications for the Recreation, Tourism and Sport Specialty Group (RTS) for the American Association of Geographers.I have an interdisciplinary educational background including a BA in History and Asian Studies from the University of Vermont, USA, an MA in Cultural Heritage and International Development from the University of East Anglia, UK, and a PhD in Management and Development of Cultural Heritage from IMT Lucca, Italy.While my research interests vary, my focus has always been on people. My research emphasis has been on both community-centered, bottom-up approaches to tourism management and visitor-driven demand. My current research interests include World Heritage tourism, sustainable tourism, community resilience to climate change and disasters, second homes, community-based tourism, tourism and development, film tourism and heritage tourism. Additionally, I am proficient in both quantitative and qualitative methods and fieldwork.