GRITS Network

The GRITS Network was founded in 2003 in collaboration between the New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (Auckland University of Technology) and the Welsh Centre for Tourism Research ( University of Wales Institute).

COORDINATORS/PARTNERS

• Dr Irena Ateljevic, New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
• Dr Nigel Morgan, Welsh Centre for Tourism Research, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK
• Dr Annette Pritchard, Welsh Centre for Tourism Research, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK
• Dr Candice Harris, New Zealand Tourism Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

  CONTEXT/RATIONALE

  Recent discourses in tourism have begun to emphasis the diversity and dynamics which exists between tourism experiences/processes and identities, bodies, genders, sexualities and race. There is increasing recognition, for example, that tourism processes are gendered in their construction, presentation and consumption in different and diverse ways, which are temporally and spatially specific. Despite this work, the conceptual power of gender, race, sexuality and embodiment remain underserved by the tourism academy. The two seminal collections of work which foregrounded gender in tourism (Kinnaird and Hall, 1994; Swain, 1995) appeared almost a decade ago and the time to claim more academic space for this work is long overdue.

  The formation of Gender Researchers in Tourism Studies network (GRITS) will be a first step in creating these spaces but it is also recognised that any new venture must build and develop a critical mass before some of its long term goals can be realised.

  MISSION/VISION OF GRITS

  Our mission is to promote visibility and inclusivity of all researchers interested in exploring the interplay between identities, genders, sexualities, bodies and tourism. In doing so, we aim to build on and strengthen a profile of the field and elevate the legitimacy of the critical school of thought developing in tourism studies.
  The belief of this group is that the gender concept is socially constructed and gender issues would vary across different cultural and research environments.

  OVERARCHING AIMS:

• To promote a variety of theoretical perspectives that fully embrace wide-ranging continuum of methodologies and research approaches.
• To provide a virtual network/platform for researchers to exchange knowledge and discuss critical issues in this field.
• To profile current/ongoing research in the field.
• To facilitate international research collaboration (e.g. fostering a range of comparative studies; developing common research instruments; etc.).
• To facilitate work of GRITS network (examining work of postgraduate students, organising gender sessions at various mainstream tourism conferences, etc.)
• To inform about current publications/research outputs and opportunities.
• To advise on potential publishing avenues.
• To organise a mentoring scheme for emerging/younger academic researchers in this field.