Visitor monitoring and management in protected and recreational areas
Introducing the 10 new Enrolled Doctoral Candidates in the MSCA - DN VIMAS Project
We're thrilled to introduce the 10 outstanding doctoral candidates who have been enrolled in the VIMAS Project. Through their diverse research interests and unique perspectives, they are set to make significant contributions to the field of visitor monitor and management.
Men Xu
(WP3)
Meng Xu, at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) in Denmark brings a wealth of knowledge from her Bachelor in Architecture (Hunan University, China) and Master in Urban studies and Planning (Aalto University, Finland). She will focus on Integrating Location-Based Social Media and Traditional Data Sources for recreational monitoring.
Her supervisory team is composed of Professor Hans Skov-Petersen (UCPH), Professor Anton Stahl Olafsson (UCPH) and Professor Tuuli Toivonen (UH).
Ina Hildeman
(WP3)
Ina Hildeman with a Bachelor in International Relations and a Master in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science will focus her PhD project on Öresund region and how areas of tranquility and visitors to those areas are monitored, mapped and managed in the public sector. Through the VIMAS project at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), she aims to use mixed methods and PPGIS in collaboration with DC1, DC3 and DC7.
Her supervisory team is composed of Professor Anton Stahl Olafsson (UCPH).
Leyi Xu
(WP3)
Leyi Xu has a Bachelor in Human Geography and Urban-Rural Planning (Zhejiang Gongshang University, China) and a Master in Geographic Information Science and Systems (University of Zurich, Switzerland). Her research in the VIMAS Project at the University of Helsinki (UH) in Finland will focus on Identifying typologies of nature visitors and destinations using Mobile Big Data.
Her supervisory team is composed of Professor Tuuli Toivonen (UH).
İlker Gül
(WP4)
İlker Gül with a Bachelor in School of Tourism and Hotel Management from Düzce University (Turkey) and specialized in Tourism Management (Istanbul University, Turkey) has the ambition to Develope a Financing Model for Nature-Based Tourism and Outdoor Recreation in Public Spaces, focusing on a Case Study of Latvia through the VIMAS Project at Vidzeme University in Latvia (VA). Ilker will adopt mixed methods which include systematic literature review, SWOT analysis, interviews, and cost benefit analysis.
His supervisory team is composed of Professor Agita Līviņa (VA), Dr. Andris Klepers (VA) and Professor Henna Konu (UEF).
Zsolt Kazai
(WP4)
Zsolt Kazai, from the University of Eastern Finland (UEF Business School), has a Bachelor and a Master in Geography. He will bring his experiences as a tour operator and guiding in nature-based tourism, as well as his previous studies in geography to deepen the Knowledge management in micro, small, and medium-sized nature-based tourism firms, with focus on Role of customer insight in business activities within the VIMAS Project. He plans to focus on survey analysis carried out in close cooperation with Metsähallitus in Finland.
Zsolt supervisory team is composed of Professor Henna Konu (UEF) and Dr. Liisa Tyrväinen (…).
Noelien Wilsnach
(WP4)
Noelien Wilsnach, a doctoral candidate from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Ås, NMBU), has a Bachelor in Classical music performance: Classical singing, in heritage and cultural tourism: Mozart tourism and a Masters in heritage and cultural tourism: Music tourism (University of Pretoria, South Africa). She will dive into the world of Guiding tourists into the sound, with focus on Connections between natural soundscapes and heritage of place. Her plan is to use soundwalks in National Parks in Norway that will include aspects of sound guiding, heritage and culture, as well as to make sound recordings in different seasons to use for musical compositions.
Noelien supervisory team is composed of Professor Øystein Aas (NMBU) and Dr. Rose Keller (NINA).
Saumya Rathnayake
(WP4)
Saumya Rathnayake, from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Ås, NMBU), has a Bachelor in Mass communication (University of Sri Jayawardenepure, Sri Lanka) and a Masters in Wellness & Spa Tourism (University of Tartu, Estonia). Her main focus within VIMAS project is Assessing the potential for long term value and behavioral change in visitors to nature areas through conservation communication strategies. She has a keen interest in performing Japanese practice of Forest Bathing aka Shinrin-Yoku.
Saumya supervisory team is composed of Professor Øystein Aas (NMBU).
Nicholaus Voogt
(WP5)
Nicholaus Voogt, a Ph.D. candidate from the University of Island, has a Bachelor in Design in Fashion Communication from TMU (Toronto, Canada) and a Master of Science in Environmental Resource Management from Vrije University (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). He will contribute to VIMAS project by investigating and gaining a deeper understanding on Enhancing Social Inclusion and Equal Opportunities in Nature-Based Tourism. A mixed methods approach will therefore be adopted in his project that includes Literature Critical Analysis, Ethnographic Fieldwork, Stakeholder Analysis, Case Study Cross-Referencing, Geographic Information, System (GIS) Analysis, Regression Modeling and Interview Coding.
Nick’s supervisory team is composed of Professor Rannveig Ólafsdóttir, Dr. Þorvarður Árnason and Dr. Sandra Wall-Reinius
Elena Pibernik
(WP5)
Elena Pibernik, from the Mittuniversitetet – Mid Sweden University, ETOUR, brings his background in MScArchitecture at ETH (Zurich) with focus on Spatial Transformations and Landscape Architecture to the project. Her research will analyze the Collaborative Governance of Recreational Landscapes. During VIMAS project Elena will gain practical insights by secondments at the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency.
Elena’s supervisory team is composed of Professor Peter Fredman, Dr. Sandra Wall-Reinius and Dr. Stefan Linde.
Coen van Bendegom
(WP5)
Coen van Bendegom, a graduate of Mittuniversitetet – Mid Sweden University, ETOUR, has a Bachelor in Sports Management at Fontys University of Applied Sciences and a Master in Leisure Studies at Breda University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands. Within the VIMAS project Coen will focus his research on Indicators of visitor use and impacts in nature-based tourism and recreation. He will adopt a mixed methods approach that includes experiments, visitor surveys, passive mobile positioning data and GIS technology.
Coen’s supervisory team includes Professor Peter Fredman and Dr. Daniel Laven.
Each of these doctoral candidates brings a unique perspective and expertise to the VIMAS Project. Their contributions will undoubtedly advance the field of visitor monitoring, and we look forward to seeing the results of their innovative research. Stay tuned!
