Natalie Semley
Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism Management
Growing up in a traditional seaside resort on the North coast of Cornwall, Natalie Semley has a detailed understanding of the tourism industry. Her career path has taken many turns and her experience varies, from delivering visitor services to working in academia.
Natalie's engagement in industry and academia over the years has helped to establish her passion for, and understanding of, the tourism industry. She has been recognised for her contribution by the Tourism Management Institute and is currently employed as a lecturer in Sustainable Tourism Management.
Prior to this appointment, Natalie worked as the Development Manager for Trenance Cottages Newquay – a registered charity who own and manage a heritage site in Newquay, Cornwall. This role involved marketing management, event feasibility and planning, fundraising, as well as engagement with public and private organisations and individuals – with the main aim to generate a sustainable income to 'keep the cottages alive' for generations to come.
Natalie's academic roles extend back to 2007 when she was first appointed as a Lecturer at the University of Plymouth. It was within this role that Natalie developed her pedogeological practice and worked towards becoming a Senior Fellow of the HEA (2016).
Qualifications
Qualifications
| Year | Qualification | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | PhD in Tourism Management | University of Plymouth |
| 2006 | MSc Tourism and Hospitality Management | University of Plymouth |
| 2005 | Bsc (Hons) Business and Tourism | University of Plymouth |
Honors and awards
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Senior Fellow of the HEA |
Research Interests
Research interests and expertise
Natalie's research interests include sustainable destination management, eventfulness and exploring the subject of authenticity from an experience design perspective. She also has an interest in specific forms of niche tourism, innovative methods of delivering stories and developing the methodological approaches of tourism-related studies.
Research Students
Current research students
Natalie has supervised a range of undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Each project has centred upon the experience design sector, but the content has cut across the entire tourism sector. From an exploration of destination imagery to food tourism, and tourism-related crime focuses, Natalie is happy to engage with any topic that helps to advance knowledge in the tourism industry.
Research degrees examined
- Seventy-six UG dissertations to completion.
- Six MSc dissertations to completion.
- Two PhD theses to completion as co-supervisor.
- One MPhil, Plymouth University 2017
Teaching
Areas of teaching
- Crisis and Disaster Management
- Demonstrating Sustainability
- Event / Tourism / Festival Innovation Project
- Event Tourism
- Festival Tourism
- Tourism Development
- Tourist Behaviour
Professional Engagement
Independent professional practice
External panel member, FdA approval event, Staffordshire University, 2015
Engagement with professional associations and societies
- Fellow of the Tourism Management Institution (TMI)
- Member of the TMI CPD Working Group
- Member of the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT)
