CHME Research Conference 2009

Conference Themes

Conference contributions are organised in four overarching thematic streams, to encourage focused but inclusive academic debate:

1) Cultural and critical studies in Hospitality
Theme Chairs: Dr Cathy Palmer and Dr Paul Lynch
Journal Association: Special edition of the Hospitality and Tourism Journal Edited by Professor Andrew Lockwood

This theme seeks to extend the critical turn in hospitality studies by encouraging papers that explore the socio-cultural significance of ‘hospitality’ as both concept and practice. The offer of hospitality, whether for commercial gain or social obligation, shines a light on a society’s fundamental values and beliefs because it is one of the ways in which communities define who they are in terms of how they engage with others. It is therefore important to explore the spaces, places, people and objects that contribute to the production and consumption of the hospitality experience. In this endeavour we encourage papers (both conceptual and empirical) that examine concepts such as identity, ritual and myth in relation to the hospitality encounter together with papers that examine the role of the visual and the embodied, performative nature of the experience. In addition, we are keen to see papers that move beyond the tangible to explore such aspects as the role of the senses, of emotion, fantasy and imagination in the analysis of hospitality. The broad range of disciplines and theoretical perspectives implied here can only strengthen the foundations of the hospitality studies paradigm.

2) Culinary Arts and Technology
Theme Chairs: Professor Svetlana Rodgers and Professor John Edwards
Journal Association: Special edition of the Journal of Culinary Science and Technology edited by Prof Svetlana Rodgers

Technological aspects of food preparation and service are often overlooked in culinary and hospitality teaching and research. These are becoming increasingly important at a time of growing scarcity of natural resources, competition from the food retail sector and consumer demands for healthy reasonably priced food choices. This theme not only seeks to extend the growing corpus of knowledge on culinary science and technology, it also seeks to explore the linkages between science technology and the art of management. Topics may include creativity in product development, engineering solutions for service systems (e.g. cook-chill, cook-freeze and sous vide), food safety, quality management, innovations in food service and management of the “meal experience”. Topics may focus on a variety of operations for example, banqueting, convention centres, stadiums, hotel/restaurant/resort chains, institutional catering, transport catering including in-flight catering. It is envisaged that the majority of papers will be empirically based and maybe informed by a variety of disciplines: ethnology, sociology, anthropology, business economics, food science, nutrition and public health. We are keen to encourage debate from a range of methodological perspectives.

3) Developments in Applied Hospitality
Theme Chairs: Dr Angela Roper and Helen Atkinson
Journal Association: Best papers will be accepted for the Services Industry Journal Edited by Professor Gary Akehurst.

This theme seeks to shape the research agenda given the need for industry to respond to changes in the global context, including the rise of Asian markets, increasing environmental challenges and developments in management and employment practices. Research is encouraged that draws from, and progresses, management practice in hospitality, leisure and tourism. Particular consideration will be given to research output that develops the academic discipline and influences practitioner effectiveness. Research may emanate from a range of disciplinary backgrounds and subject specialisms, for example, strategic management, operations management, human resource management, finance and accounting, information technology and systems. This theme also provides an opportunity to continue the ongoing debate about the theorisation of hospitality management.

4) Research and practice in teaching learning
Theme Chairs: Dr Maureen Brookes and Conor Sheehan
Journal Association: Best papers will be accepted for the Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education (JoHLSTE). Chair of editorial board: Prof John Tribe and Hospitality Subject Editor Prof David Litteljohn

The first decade of the 21st century continues to witness an exponential rate of change in higher education provision, particularly so within the specific vocational disciplines of hospitality, travel and tourism. These changes have been driven by many influences such as widening participation and employer engagement imperatives, the implications of the 2006 Leitch Skills Review and recent HEFCE directives on the growth of HE through foundation degree development. Each of these developments presents both significant opportunities and challenges for the design, development, delivery and assessment of programmes in hospitality management and allied areas. Research papers that critically reappraise the nature of learning, teaching and assessment practices within these new contexts would be particularly welcomed. Specific themes that could be addressed include: work based learning, employer and social engagement, innovation in assessment, graduate employability, the role of knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) and the use of technology to enhance student learning;