Long-time student bids fond farewell to Leeds Beckett

16 years after graduating with a first-class honours degree in Managing International Tourism (2003), Dr Marianna Kornilaki has donned a hat and gown again after successfully completing a PhD at Leeds Beckett, investigating small tourism enterprises’ and their decisions around sustainability practices.

She has been at the University since 2002; first as an undergraduate student and later as a doctoral candidate and lecturer. While enrolled as a PhD student, she was involved in assisting roles, either as lecturer or researcher, enabling her to take up a full-time lecturing position at the UK Centre for Events Management in 2007, before being promoted to senior lecturer in 2010.

Dr Kornilaki explains: “Being in a full-time job, having a young family and studying was challenging to say the least, but I am so proud to have successfully completed my PhD. This success would not have been achieved without the support of my family, my line manager, Mr Glenn Bowdin; my director of studies, Professor Rhodri Thomas; and all my colleagues at the UK Centre of Events Management.  

“The environment and the people at Leeds Beckett nourished my skills and talents and paved the way for me to develop further as a researcher and educator, and to pursue a successful and satisfying career.  Leeds Beckett University and all of its amazing people will always be in my heart.”

Dr Kornilaki recently relocated to London with her family, and is currently in the interviewing process for academic jobs in the capital.