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Award-winning Professor of Tourism Management joins Leeds Beckett
Professor Chris Cooper is an internationally recognised world-class researcher, who has held senior positions at the Universities of Nottingham and Surrey, and was the former Head of the School of Tourism at the University of Queensland, Australia. He will join Leeds Beckett on 1 January.
Well-known among academics, Professor Cooper has numerous accolades in this field, including the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Ulysses Prize for Contributions to Tourism Policy and Education and being made a panel member for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Rhodri Thomas, Dean of School, said: “I first met Chris years ago when we worked together on an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development project in Bulgaria.
“His extensive knowledge, power of analysis and ability to work collaboratively were impressive. I am really pleased that students and colleagues in the School will now have many opportunities to learn from him.
“His modesty and respect for others makes him very approachable and supportive. He has already met many of our academic staff and will be known to our students because of his highly regarded publications.”
Professor Cooper has also held numerous editorial roles, including Co-editor of Current Issues in Tourism, Associate Editor of Annals of Tourism Research and as an editorial board member for over 30 journals.
His role will involve supervising PhD students, working with staff and students to strengthen their research outputs and impact, and helping to improve the School’s approach to student education and research.
He said he was “delighted” to join a “prestigious and forward-looking School”.
Professor of Tourism Management Dorina Buda, who was recently appointed Head of the International Centre for Research in Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management, said she was looking forward to working with Professor Cooper.
She said: “As well as strengthening our research capacity, Professor Cooper’s appointment enables us to extend our reach to international organisations which will further enhance our reputation and impact.”