Accessibility, Inclusion, and Diversity in Critical Event Studies

Rebecca Finkel is an urban cultural geographer and Reader in Events Management at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. The main focus of her research frames critical events studies within conceptualisations of social justice, equality and diversity, and identity. Her main research interests include resistance to globalisation processes through cultural events, doing gender at festivals, and mapping human rights and international sporting events. Her new research explores the relational wellbeing dimensions of human-animal interactions in events, tourism, and leisure contexts.

Briony Sharp was awarded her PhD in Events Management from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and is currently a Lecturer in Events Management at the University of Huddersfield. Her research examines social impacts from an individual, community, and organisational perspective, and possible social legacy routes from these impacts. Specifically, this includes social engagement initiatives pursued in conjunction with the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and the relationship between social capital, community engagement, and potential social legacies. New research investigates innovative methodologies in events with a focus on event volunteering and tourism motivations.

Majella Sweeney is a Senior Lecturer in International Hospitality and Tourism Management at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Research interests include small hospitality enterprises, focusing on the host-home relationship and self-identity. Qualitative research methods, specifically visual methods within the hospitality, tourism, and event industry, are another area of interest. Her new research explores hospitality and tourism events with conceptualisations of family inclusion, marginalisation, and accessibility.