Textual Flows of 'Visitors': Mediatization, Positioning Bodyscapes, and Multiple Semblances of Place

With nationalistic sentiment on the rise around the world over the past decade, politicians have sought to estrange groups of people who ether or settle in a region, often deeming migrants or refugees as ‘others’. Stereotyping and orienting negative perceptions towards particular groups of people can threaten social sustainability in tourism regions. This work takes a geographical and socio-spatial justice lens to understand discriminate labeling through mediatized communications. This work helps us understand how different ‘visitors’ (refugees and tourists) are perceived in relation to each other in a tourism region (Mediterranean Europe). Where one group feels welcomed, another faces marginalization and discrimination. There is a need to consider this dichotomy in relation to how inbound mobility towards tourism destinations shapes not only perceptions of places, but how places are imagined as ideal for some groups, yet (almost) intentionally unmade for another group. This ‘othering’ of particular groups of people is increasingly apparent in the media. The paper looks at a point in time from 2015 to 2019 concerning Mediterranean European countries as popular destinations that saw visitors come from different directions and for vastly different purposes. Tourists would ascend to Greece, Italy, Malta, Republic of Cyprus, and Spain year-round, as did refugees whose destination entry-point is most commonly one of these five European countries according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Since 2015, rapid increases in arriving refugees led to the deemed “European Refugee Crisis”, also referred to as the “European Migrant Crisis”. The media began popularizing the arrival of refugees as an apparent crisis, and thus acted to marginalize refugees by associating their presence as a threat to tourism. This papers positions these overlapping communications of visitors as different constructions of bodyscapes in papers that offers narratives of tourists and refugees. Findings show that newspapers emphasis on spatial awareness, as storylines and narratives sought to ensure separation between visitors and refugees mediatization

Sustainable Skiing - How do locals and tourists perceive sustainable development of ski tourism?

Global warming poses major challenges for Alpine tourism and ski resorts in particular. Consequences such as shifts of seasons or technical snowmaking raise doubts about the sustainability of the industry. This study investigates the perceived economic, ecological, and socio-cultural impacts of ski tourism on the residents’ and tourist support for tourism development. The perception theory serves as a theoretical basis for this study. Following a quantitative research design, 340 local and tourist skiers in a major Tyrolean glacier ski resort were interviewed using an online survey. The results reveal that perceived ecological and socio-cultural benefits of sustainability positively affect the support for tourism development. This study could not confirm any significant differences between the perceptions of locals and tourists. The study's findings provide valuable insights into how ski resorts can more effectively communicate their sustainability efforts to locals and tourists

Achieving Hedonic and Eudaimonic Wellbeing Through Value Co-Creation in Tourism: The Role of Positive Emotions, Empowerment, and Social Connectedness

This study investigates how value co-creation in tourism enhances hedonic (HWB) and eudaimonic well-being (EWB). Guided by Self-Determination Theory, it examines the role of positive emotions, empowerment, and social connectedness in mediating the relationship between customer co-creation behaviors and well-being. Data from 410 domestic travelers in North America and China were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Results reveal that participation and citizenship behaviors significantly enhance HWB and EWB through positive emotions and social connectedness. Social interactions foster trust and belonging, while empowerment had no significant direct effect on well-being. This study advances the theoretical understanding of co-creation’s psychological outcomes and highlights its transformative potential for tourism practitioners. Practical recommendations include designing personalized, culturally immersive experiences to strengthen emotional and social engagement. Limitations include demographic and cultural biases, suggesting further research across diverse populations and service perspectives

Engaging Careholders in Regenerative Development: Aspirations and Concerns

The Colca Valley in Peru, known for its rich cultural, natural, and historical assets, is a significant tourism destination. This research explores regenerative tourism, a transformative framework that enhances ecological integrity, cultural heritage, and community well-being. Central to this approach is the co-creation process, integrating indigenous knowledge and systems thinking. The study introduces "careholders," community members with a moral and ethical responsibility for tourism development. The primary research question is: How do the people of the Colca Valley understand their tourism assets, and what are their aspirations for the future of tourism? The literature review highlights the dual impacts of tourism, emphasizing both benefits and challenges. It underscores the synergy between community-based tourism and participatory planning in advancing regenerative principles. Recent discussions emphasize engaging community members as essential for sustainable and regenerative tourism outcomes. This study aims to fill the gap in understanding local residents' perceptions of their tourism assets and aspirations. Using a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the Colca Valley will be conducted. Thematic analysis will identify recurring patterns and insights. Expected findings include diverse understandings of tourism assets, aspirations for cultural preservation, economic equity, and ecological sustainability, and concerns about over-tourism and exclusion from decision-making processes. These insights will inform strategies for aligning tourism development in the Colca Valley with regenerative principles

A Body of Work

A Body of Work explores the convergence of conceptual inquiry, material philosophy, and ceramic practice through the creation of a body of work defined by the physicality of my own body. Entrenched in tenets of Material Engagement Theory, the Hylomorphic Model, and material affordances, A Body of Work examines the activation and emergence of agency in the dialogue between maker and material. Using my weight and volume as guiding constraints, the resulting collection of wheel-thrown bowls and primarily coil-built “belly pots” become both literal and conceptual reflections of embodied knowledge. This investigation positions clay as an active collaborator in the becoming of form rather than a passive recipient of a maker’s design, offering insight into the ways cognition extends through and is shaped by physical engagement. This paper anatomizes process documentation, personal narrative, and theoretical frameworks to articulate a ceramic practice that prioritizes receptivity, adaptability, and material attunement. In doing so, it contributes to ongoing conversations about the role of embodiment, materiality, and artistic agency in contemporary craft.Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.

PARAMETRIC PRAGMATISM: TRANSFORMING BUILDING USE AND FACADE FOR SUSTAINABLE REUSE

The urgency of addressing climate change has become increasingly apparent, driven by the excessive amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) that directly impact both the natural and built environments (Sijakovic and Peric 2021). The pressing evidence of climate change compels architects and engineers to rethink conventional approaches, positioning computational modelling and simulation approaches as a transformative solution that balances aesthetic innovation with environmental responsibility (Kabošová, Katunský, and Kmet 2020). In response, this thesis explores the concept of Parametric Pragmatism as a solution-oriented approach to sustainable architecture. In this thesis, I intend to utilize parametric design methods, specifically in optimizing building facades, to create environmentally responsive architectural solutions that significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency and improve aesthetics of the building. In response, this thesis explores the concept of Parametric Pragmatism as a solution-oriented approach to sustainable architecture. Retrofitting existing downtown buildings plays a critical role in reducing embodied carbon—the carbon emissions associated with material extraction, manufacturing, and construction—by extending the life of existing structures rather than demolishing and rebuilding. Many buildings constructed during the 1960s–1980s have inefficient facade systems that not only lead to high operational carbon emissions but also limit interior flexibility by enforcing deep floor plates with poor daylighting and ventilation, constraining opportunities for diverse programmatic uses. Instead of demolishing these structures and triggering the carbon-intensive processes required to construct new buildings, retrofitting facades and reusing existing structural systems can significantly reduce embodied carbon while revitalizing urban areas. Facade retrofitting not only improves thermal performance but also redefines a building’s interface with its environment by balancing key parameters such as solar radiation control, daylight access, building reprogramming in response to solar and daylight simulations, and the variation of monotonous facades. This process requires navigating tradeoffs between operational energy reductions and the embodied carbon of new materials, ensuring that performance gains justify the retrofit’s environmental and structural costs. Additionally, the post-COVID rise in commercial real estate vacancies offers an opportunity to repurpose underutilized buildings for mixed-use development, addressing both the commercial crisis and urban housing shortages. Modern buildings have evolved into complex entities where advanced technologies and diverse programmatic requirements must seamlessly integrate to fulfil various functions, from energy efficiency and structural integrity to accommodating multiple uses within a single space. To meet these demands, new computational techniques have been developed to facilitate the design of such intricate structures, establishing a quantitative relationship between the environment and the building envelope (Eltaweel and Su 2017). This thesis draws from studies on parametric design and contemporary building envelope technologies to explore how data-informed strategies can optimize performance, enhance adaptability, and address the evolving challenges of sustainable architectural retrofits By focusing on retrofitting structurally sound, late 20th-century buildings, this research demonstrates how the innovative application of energy conversion materials and other technological advancements can significantly reduce embodied carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and elevate aesthetic appeal beyond the limitations of current "glass box" commercial buildings. These buildings often present a monotonous, sterile appearance, lacking in visual engagement and contributing to heat gain and energy inefficiency. Through parametric design, retrofitted buildings not only enhance environmental performance but also bring a renewed aesthetic that engages the public and integrates with diverse urban settings. Integrating adaptive and responsive facade strategies into retrofitting enhances public engagement with sustainability efforts by visibly demonstrating environmental performance. Such approaches break down the homogeneity of glass-box towers, allowing the building envelope to respond dynamically to environmental conditions, contextual cues, and diverse programmatic needs fostering a more vibrant, functional, and resilient urban fabric.Master of Architecture (MArch

A Subject of Interest: Silence, Memory and the Dramaturgical Journey of Writing

This thesis traces the creation of A Subject of Interest, an original play exploring the complex relationship between Brazil and the United States during the Brazilian military dictatorship (1964–1985). Blending dramaturgy, journalism, and creative writing, the project investigates how historical silences—personal and collective—shape memory and identity. Inspired by personal family history, extensive historical research, and interviews, the thesis reflects on the creative challenges of adapting factual research into a dramatic narrative. It examines the tension between historical accuracy and emotional truth, the responsibility of storytelling in confronting silence, and the process of shaping real-world trauma into theatrical form. Throughout, the work highlights dramaturgy’s potential to bridge journalism, politics, and fiction, and argues for storytelling as a tool of resistance against historical erasure.MFA Thesis Research GrantMaster of Fine Arts (M.F.A.

Lightning Talks: Cross Collaboration to Promote OER Expansion

Oftentimes, faculty are engaged in OER development and generate excellent OER based materials for various courses. However, it may be difficult to share this knowledge and help promote OER initiatives at a university, especially for a multi-campus university. In this Lightning Talk, I review several initiatives at Penn State University which helps foster collaboration among faculty to promote OER expansion. These initiatives are especially helpful for new faculty or adjunct faculty who might be interested in OER but don’t know how to get started. The first initiative is a university-wide survey process to collect, collate and disseminate OER resources in use across a discipline on a course by course basis. The second initiative is the development and implementation of “master OER courses” that can be deployed, especially for STEM related courses, where a complete package of course materials, assessments and ancillaries are desirable as part of the course pedagogy

Strategic Planning into the Unknown Future

Many academic libraries have strategic plans and those that don’t often feel pressure to have one. Strategic plans are a tool for communicating priorities, values, and initiatives to library staff, college and university partners, leadership and external stakeholders, such as funders and prospective employees. The process, however, can take months and even years of library staff time and resources. Too often valuable time is taken developing, promoting and reviewing surveys. Outside consultants can stretch thin budgets. Strategic planning can create unrealistic expectations – what happens if external factors make some goals impossible to achieve? This presentation by an academic library director will outline time-saving ways to develop strategic plans that position the library as an essential element of a successful institution. Attendees will learn about alternative assessment methods, such as Appreciative Inquiry, that offer valuable information in hours. They will be able to utilize existing sources of quantitative and qualitative data rather than starting from scratch. They will be able to easily incorporate the skills and knowledge of existing team members ensuring that everyone can see themselves in the plan. They will leave with practical tips for creating a plan that is actionable, achievable and agile in uncertain times