Paolo Mura
PhD Candidate
email: pmura@business.otago.ac.nz
PhD Title
Young Travellers' Perceptions of Fear on Holiday - A Gender Perspective
Supervisors
Associate Professor Neil Carr and Dr Richard Mitchell
Research Abstract
My doctoral studies explore young travelers’ perceptions of fear and risk within tourism and leisure. In particular, I am interested in understanding how emotions, such as fear, affect young people’s patterns of behavior. Furthermore, my study focuses on the role of gender and the whole social environment in influencing perceptions of fear.
Education
2006-present PhD in Tourism (University of Otago)
2005 Graduate Diploma in Tourism (University of Otago)
1998-2004 Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Commerce (Universita’ G. D’Annunzio – Pescara)
Publications
Mura, P. 2007, ‘Critical components of authenticity in urban ethnic districts – Case study of Leichhardt’ case study to support chapters 9 and 13 in Hall, C.M. (2007) Introduction to Tourism in Australia: Development, Issues and Change, 5th ed., Pearson Education Australia, Frenchs Forest
Mura, P. 2006, ‘Tourism and local development in North America – The Adirondack Park, New York (USA)’, pp. 145-161 in Buzzetti L., Montanari A. (a cura di), Nuovi Scenari Turistici per le Aree Montane. Abruzzo e Trentino: Sviluppo Locale e Competitività del Territorio, Valentina Trentini editore, Trento. [In Italian]
Mura, P. 2005, ‘Critical Components of Authenticity in Urban Ethnic Districts – Case Study of Leichhardt’. Dissertation submitted as partial fulfilment for the Graduate Diploma in Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
Mura, P. 2005, ‘The Adirondack Park, New York – Local Development and Tourism’, Turistica, no.1, 140-141 [In Italian]
Presentations
Mura, P. 2007, ‘Does Fear Generate Inequality in a Tourism Context?’ Paper presented at the session ‘TOURISM, INEQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE’, Royal Geographical Society (with Institute of British Geographers) Annual Conference, 'Sustainability and Quality of Life', 29-31 August 2007, London
Mura, P. 2006, ‘People's perceptions of fear in the holiday environment. A theoretical framework’ in ATLAS Asia-Pacific Tourism After Oil. Proceedings and book of abstracts University of Otago, School of Business, Department of Tourism, Dunedin, 5-8 December 2006
Scholarships and Awards
2006 University of Otago Postgraduate Scholarship (NZ$ 60,000 + tuition fees)
2000 Scholarship from ‘Azienda Diritto agli Studi Universitari’, Chieti, Italy
Teaching Experience
July 2008 – November 2008. Casual Lecturer
- Preparation and delivery of 4 lectures for TOUR217 (Tourist Behaviour)
Topics of the lectures will be: risk-taking and thrill seeking within tourism and leisure, cross-cultural behaviour within tourism, the role of photos in the tourism experience, constraints to leisure, tourist typologies
07/07/2008 – 10/10/2008. Lead Tutor for TOUR217 (Tourist Behaviour), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
- Assisted with the preparation of teaching and tutorial material
- Organization and coordination of other tutors (lead tutor)
- Organization and coordination of groups of students
- Coordination of group discussions and presentations
- Evaluation of students’ internal assessments (essays and group presentations)
02/25/2008 – 06/01/2008. Tutor for TOUR211 (Tourism Impacts), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
- Assisted with the preparation of teaching and tutorial material
- Organization and coordination of groups of students
- Coordination of group discussions and presentations
- Evaluation of students’ internal assessments (essays and group presentations)
11/19/2007 – 11/21/2007. Casual Lecturer for TOUR217 (Tourist Behaviour), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
- Prepared and delivered a lecture on ‘Stories, Satisfaction and Silly Photos: The Post Holiday Experience’
- Evaluation of students’ final exams
09/24/2007 – 10/02/2007. Casual Lecturer for TOUR217 (Tourist Behaviour), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
- Prepared and delivered a lecture on ‘Risk-Taking and Thrill-Seeking within Tourism and Leisure’
07/17/2006 – 10/22/2006. Tutor for TOUR217 (Tourist Behaviour), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
- Assisted with the preparation of teaching and tutorial material
- Organization and coordination of groups of students
- Coordination of group discussions and presentations
- Evaluation of students’ internal assessments (essays and group presentations)