Research
The University is well-recognised as having high quality research expertise in this area, as demonstrated by our Research Assessment Exercise scores which measure the quality of institutions’ research.
This research underpins our work in the three key streams of tourism, hospitality and events.
Areas of expertise
The centre and the Research Assessment Exercise
The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) confirmed Sheffield Hallam University as one of the premier centres for research in tourism and hospitality.
The tourism and hospitality research was assessed as part of the University's submission in unit of assessment 46 – sports-related studies. This submission was ranked fourth for quality combined with quantity, out of the 39 submissions by universities within the category.
The tourism and hospitality research was assessed as part of the University's submission in unit of assessment 46 – sports-related studies. This submission was ranked fourth for quality combined with quantity, out of the 39 submissions by universities within the category.
In the submission of 31 researchers the overall profile was 10 per cent at 4* (the highest possible rating), 25 per cent at 3* and 40 per cent at 2*, with the majority of research publications (70 per cent) being rated as of 'international standard'. Furthermore, 9.2 per cent of the publications were seen as 'world leading' and 21.6 per cent were 'internationally excellent'. All parts of the submission were identified as having contributed to an environment of international standing.
The high rating for the former Centre for International Hospitality Management Research (CIHMR) and the Centre for International Tourism Research CITouR) in this impartial national assessment further strengthens our established reputation for research excellence. We are continuing to work closely with sports-related studies colleagues as we move forward.
Tourism
The tourism team were previously in the Centre for International Tourism Research (CITouR), which was one of the most renowned centres in Europe for tourism research, consultancy and education. They have continued to develop their global reputation for excellence and have long established links with their hospitality and events colleagues in the new research centre.
The centre specialises in • tourism • events and applied hospitality management research • management and executive development work • consultancy • academic and other publications for a range of international, national and regional private and public sector clients • the supervision of PhD and other doctoral students.
The tourism team undertakes high quality research and offers consultancy services and a range of innovative education and training provision. They focus on research, consultancy and training that makes a real difference to communities, tourists and people working in the tourism industry.
The tourism team has a strong track record of PhD research supervision, and their work is supported by an international network of individual and institutional partners. The centre has an established international reputation for its research activity in • tourism policy, planning and governance • tourism and poverty alleviation • tourist behaviour and tourism business development • sustainable destinations.
Hospitality management
The hospitality management team were previously involved with the internationally recognised Centre for International Management Research (CIHMR). This was one of only a handful of research centres in the UK working in the hospitality area, and was exclusively dedicated to hospitality management and the hospitality industry.
Hospitality management academics and researchers have developed an international reputation for excellence in research across several areas including • hospitality operations and management • hospitality brand and human resource management and entrepreneurship • hospitality management education.
The hospitality management team also have a strong reputation in
- consultancy services
- management development activity, such as an MSc in International Hospitality Design and Management for Foodservice Consultants Society International and the Catering Equipment Distributors Association
- other business activities and services, including the management of eatSheffield, a restaurant association for Sheffield and the surrounding area
The team also have a growing track record of research supervision related to PhDs, DBAs and EdDs. Their work is supported by an international network of partners and industrial organisations.
Event management
Our increasing focus on event management recognises that the profession is growing in its own right, and linked to this is an acceptance of the strategic value of events. This trend is underpinned by the rising interest in events from students, researchers and industry. The Event Management team at Sheffield Business School contains fifteen full-time event specialists across a range of event sectors and disciplines. The team boasts a rich mix of academic and industry people, and is supported by a wider community of event professionals.
The team has a specific vision to enhance event management delivery and outcomes within the Yorkshire region and beyond. Underpinning this is the Event Strategy Hub which facilitates shared learning and skills development among event practitioners, developed through a range of activities.
This represents one specific area of interest, however the team's research aspirations are much wider than that. We would welcome conversations with event practicioners and organisations with an interest in events. The team has a growing research community and we welcome collaborations with industry, particularly, although not exclusively, in the areas of • event experience • crowd management • volunteer management • event evaluation and outcomes.
