Regular biography
Professor Lisa Ruhanen is a Professor and Deputy Head of School at the School of Business, The University of Queensland. Her research focuses on Indigenous tourism, sustainable tourism, and policy, planning, and governance. She has conducted over 35 academic and consultancy research projects in Australia and overseas, with more than 150 academic publications. She has worked closely with United Nations Tourism and is currently an Advisory Board member and auditor for the UN Tourism TedQual accreditation program. Professor Ruhanen is also engaged with Indigenous tourism businesses and organisations in Australia, and she has led research and consultancy studies for the Federal and State governments on Indigenous tourism.
Scholar-generated biography
Lisa Ruhanen is a Professor at The University of Queensland, specializing in Tourism. Her research explores the multifaceted impacts of tourism, with a focus on sustainable tourism development, governance, and Indigenous tourism. She investigates the role of local governments, power dynamics among stakeholders, and the integration of ecosystem services in community-based ecotourism. Her work also addresses the challenges and opportunities for Indigenous communities in tourism, as well as the implications of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism recovery. Ruhanen emphasizes the importance of bridging theory and practice in tourism education and strategic planning for local tourism destinations.