Research
Welcome
Dr. Peter Dewhurst, Dean of Faculty
Our research activities are shaped by the critical contemporary issues occuring in the wider leisure management sectors..
”Welcome to a snapshot of the research undertaken in our Research Group, Culture, Lifestyle and Landscape
This will give you a taste of the diverse research undertaken by members of our Research Group in recent years.
Our research activities are shaped by the critical contemporary issues occurring in the wider leisure management sectors within local, national and international arenas and we work in single disciplines or in interdisciplinary teams. Our focus links leisure, sports, tourism, spa, hospitality, events and pedagogical research within applied and theoretical settings.
The impact of our innovative research is felt in terms of its influence within industry and commerce, new business practices and in teaching. Our research is a central influence on curriculum design and means that our students benefit from 'cutting edge' expertise. Our teaching programmes are underpinned by experiential and reflective learning techniques, at all levels, from undergraduates through to Masters and Doctorates.
This publication highlights our research activities, celebrates our successes and illuminates the forward momentum of our Research Group. We aim to build upon our research activities to date, to develop new projects and teaching programmes that enhance our reputation and that benefit our students and the area of study as a whole.
We hope that you will find this publication informative and interesting and that it will encourage you to become part of our research process.
Dr. Peter Dewhurst
Dean of Faculty
Sports and Outdoor
Our research specialists work on a variety of projects relating to Sports Coaching, Sports Physiology, Sports Psychology and Sports Development. We work with World, European, Commonwealth, Olympic and Ryder Cup Champions and our team include elite athletes and their coaches. We are experts in sports injuries, health and sports rehabilitation.
Our unique location in Buxton enables us to participate in land based and water based activities in the distinctive Peak District National Park. We are experts in Adventure Tourism, Countryside Management, and Outdoor Recreation and Leadership.
We offer postgraduate routes at PhD, MPhil and MSc levels and all our research team participate in these programmes.
Tourism and Events
Our research specialists are actively involved in a range of studies relating to the Visitor Economy, such as Heritage and Cultural Tourism, Tourism Public Policy, Economic Regeneration, Service Sector Entrepreneurship, Visitor Attractions, Continuous Professional Development, Training Needs for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME), Health and Safety for Events and Psychology of Experience at Events.
Applied research in tourism and events provides research outputs for a range of users, providing expert advice to public bodies, government, business, national and international agencies, and the wider community. Team members have a substantial list of publications in academic journals.
All members of our research team participate in the postgraduate routes on offer - PhD, MPhil and MSc.
Hospitality and Spa
Our team specialises in international hospitality and spa management. We work with a number of industry partners such as Danubius, Mandarin Oriental and Elemis, and we have strong links in teaching and research with universities in Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland and Hungary. We are founding members of the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS) Spa and Wellness Research Group and the Association of Spa, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy in Higher Education (AHSB).
We are able to develop and test much of our research within our commercial facilities available on the Buxton campus. These include the Devonshire Spa, Dome Fine Dining Restaurant, Beauty and Hairdressing Salons and the Dome Bistro.
Consultancy Services and Projects
The Culture, Lifestyle and Landscape Research Group collaborates with many partners including entrepreneurs, small and medium sized enterprises and public bodies. Recent research has been undertaken with organisations such as:
● British Cycling
● Chatsworth House
● Conference Derbyshire
● Derby City Council
● Derbyshire Athletics Network
● Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
● Swiss Golf Supporters' Union
Some examples of our recent consultancy projects include:
● Support for a variety of small and medium sized enterprises in developing marketing and operational efficiency plans.
● An examination of entrepreneurship and innovation within the service sector.
● Development of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with The School of Artisan Food.
● A review of the organisational structure of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
● Delivery of workshops for club coaches in the Derbyshire Athletics Network to improve strength and conditioning, psychology, nutrition and biomechanics of athletes.
