They say elephants get into your soul and change you who are and that's exactly what happened on a backpacking trip to Thailand in 2014. Witnessing the treatment of elephants working in tourist entertainment shifted my path and inspired the pursuit of a Master's Degree in Tourism with the University of Waterloo in 2015. My thesis work focused on volunteer-based tourism and captive elephant welfare. It was thrilling to speak with participants from around the world about the deep impact that volunteer travel had on them. It was here that I grew interest in the role responsible tourism can play in social and environmental justice. Outside of the classroom, I have engaged tourism and leisure spaces in a variety of ways but most recently I've worked in travel trade. I am consistently seeking ways to infuse responsible travel and sustainability principles into my personal and professional life. If you'd like to connect about my research, responsible tourism or travel - get in touch!