Dr Tamara Young

Biography

I have been employed as a lecturer, tutor and researcher at the University of Newcastle since 1997 and I completed both my postgraduate and undergraduate studies here. I commenced my current full-time position as Lecturer in Tourism Studies in January 2008. Since completing my PhD in 2005, I have been employed in various research positions including: a Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle (2006-2007) on a project examining leisure and recreation planning and community development in the Hunter Region, and a Research Associate in The School of Social Sciences at the University of Western Sydney (2007-2008).

I am currently involved in two projects funded by The University of Newcastle and the Faculty of Business and Law: The Road Less Travelled? Backpackers in the Hunter Region (New Staff Grant), and Indigenisation of Curriculum: Lessons from Tourism Studies (Faculty Teaching and Learning Grant). I have co-authored a book entitled Tourist Cultures: Identity, Place and the Traveller (Sage, 2010) with Deborah Stevenson (University of Western Sydney) and Stephen Wearing (University of Technology, Sydney). My research has also been published in book chapters, international refereed journals, and presented at international conferences. In 2010, I received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Newcastle, 2005
• Bachelor of Social Science (Honours), University of Newcastle, 1998
• Bachelor of Business, University of Newcastle, 1997

Research

Research keywords

• Backpacker Tourism
• Cultural Landscapes
• Independent Travel
• Indigenous Tourism
• Social Media
• Sociology of Tourism
• Tourism Media
• Tourism in Australia
• Volunteer Tourism
• Youth Tourism

Research expertise

My research background is in the multidisciplinary field of tourism studies with a particular emphasis on the sociology of tourism and cultural research methodologies. My research interests include: the role of tourism media as an interface between traveller cultures and travelled cultures; the social and cultural aspects of travel and tourism, especially youth tourism, backpacker tourism and volunteer tourism; the representation and interpretation of Aboriginal Australia in the context of tourism; and Indigenous tourism, cultural landscapes (in particular, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) and culturally sustainable tourism in Australia.

I have conducted extensive qualitative research into youth travel in Australia. My current research examines the motivations, perceptions, expectations and experiences of backpackers in the Hunter Region, NSW. Focus groups with backpackers in the city of Newcastle offer insights into the images that backpackers hold of regional areas in Australia; the range of experiences they seek during their travels; and the ways by which travel experiences are shaped and framed by traditional and new forms of travel and social media. The project forms the basis for continuing research into the role and significance of travel and travel communities in the lives of young people.

My PhD in Social Science (Leisure and Tourism Studies, awarded in December 2005) focused on representations of Aboriginal Australia in tourism media and backpacker experiences of Indigenous cultures and Indigenous cultural landscapes. My thesis examined the representation and interpretation of Aboriginal Australia in the context of tourism, and the relationships between travel media (guidebooks), travellers (backpackers) and travelled cultures (Aboriginal Australia). My thesis uses textual and content analysis coupled with audience research to examine the ways in which traveller experiences of Aboriginal Australia are mediated and constructed, and the ways that cultural knowledges are shaped, framed and experienced.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

Awards

Recognition.

2005	Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence The University of Newcastle (Australia) Nominee for the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence

Research Award.

2010	Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Excellence The University of Newcastle (Australia) Faculty Research Excellence Award

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

I was acting Head of the Tourism Discipline in 2010. I am a member of a number of Faculty and School Committees and Boards, and I am currently the course coordinator of three courses in the Newcastle Business School delivered at the Callaghan, Ourimbah and Singapore campuses.

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Cultural Tourism
• Festivals and Events
• Heritage Tourism
• Sustainable Tourism
• Tourism Management
• Tourism Marketing
• Tourism Studies

Teaching expertise

I have substantial teaching experience having taught in a range of undergraduate courses in the areas of tourism and leisure studies, and media and cultural studies. My teaching practice is informed by extensive and ongoing research and scholarship in tourism studies. I am currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Tertiary Teaching at the University of Newcastle.

I currently coordinate: Introduction to Sustainable Tourism Management (TOUR1000), Tourism, Culture and Heritage Management (TOUR2001) and Festival and Event Planning (TOUR3002). I also teach into Tourism Marketing (TOUR3003).

Other courses I have taught include: Critical Perspectives in Leisure; Leisure, Society and Contemporary Culture; Leisure Management; Media, Culture and Society; Popular Culture and Society.

Programs

• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Social Science

Courses

• TOUR1000 - Introduction to Sustainable Tourism Management
• TOUR2001 - Tourism, Culture and Heritage Management
• TOUR3002 - Festival and Event Planning