Category: Academic Reflections
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Shaping Tomorrow: Reflections from THRIC 2026
The 2026 Tourism and Hospitality Research in Ireland Conference (THRIC) served as a timely reminder of the collective agency embedded within our academic and professional community. Since its inaugural gathering in Portrush in 2005 and following a Covid-19-induced hiatus, its revitalisation at MTU Dingle, Co. Kerry in 2024, THRIC has evolved into far more than…
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The beach: a liminal space between hope and despair
The beach holds a special place in my heart. Gazing over the sea, listening to the sound of the breaking waves and feeling the sand between my toes inspires awe, instils calm, releases tension and provides a transitional space for wellbeing, recreation and many other of our human needs and desires. The beach is a…
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Language, People, and the Pathways We Build
In academia, we are trained to define, delineate, and set boundaries. Rigour demands clarity; we seek to avoid ambiguity and to justify our claims. Yet in our pursuit of precision, we often forget two things: etymology and humanity. Etymology asks: where do our words come from, and what did they mean originally? Humanity asks: what…
