Associate Professor Jan Packer

Associate Professor Jan Packer is affiliated with The University of Queensland's School of Business and is a Principal Research Fellow. She is also an Affiliate of the Centre for Marine Science. Her research focuses on applying principles of educational, environmental, and positive psychology to understand and enhance visitor experiences in tourism and leisure settings such as museums, zoos, and aquariums. She has published extensively in visitor studies, including work on visitor motivations, restorative experiences, and the impact of ecotourism. Her research has informed practices in museums, zoos, and ecotourism settings, contributing to the understanding of visitor learning and sustainable behaviors.

Jan Packer, a researcher at the University of Queensland, focuses on Visitor Experiences within tourism and education contexts. Their work explores how tourism and educational experiences shape learning, environmental sustainability, and visitor engagement. Key areas include the design of interpretive experiences, the impact of wildlife tourism on conservation attitudes, and the role of free-choice learning in promoting sustainable behavior. Packer's research also examines the psychological and social effects of tourism, such as the influence of music festivals on young people's well-being. Their studies often integrate educational theories with tourism practices to enhance visitor learning and environmental awareness.