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Grace Kamanga

Current PhD Candidate

Biography

I am a postgraduate researcher in the Global Sustainable Development Department, School for Cross-faculty Studies at the University of Warwick. Awarded a Chancellor's International Scholarship by the Doctoral College at the University of Warwick to undertake my research focusing on the nexus between women empowerment and ecotourism development in protected areas. I have worked in academia for several years.


Academic background

2021

2015 - 2016

  • Department of Tourism, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, Master of Tourism (MTour)

2007 - 2010

  • Department of Hospitality Management, Mzuzu University, Malawi, Bachelor of Science Hospitality Management.


Supervisors


Research overview

My current research focuses on women empowerment and ecotourism in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Malawi. The study relates to UN development policies specifically Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls). Women empowerment is believed to be vital for achieving the social, economic, and environmental goals of sustainable development, at the same time, ecotourism is believed to be a tool for achieving the dual aims of conservation and local community development. My current study investigates the extent of women's empowerment through ecotourism and the implications of the same on ecotourism development.


Research interests

  • Sustainable tourism

  • Women empowerment

  • Higher education
  • Destination management and marketing

  • Tourism security


Projects

The nexus between women empowerment and ecotourism development


Teaching

Senior Graduate Teaching Assistant

2023- 2024

2016 - 2021

  • Mzuzu University, Malawi

2012 - 2015

  • Blantyre International University, Malawi

Funding and awards

2024

Cumberland Lodge International PGR Christmas Conference - Fully funded by the University of Warwick

2021 - 2025

  • University of Warwick Doctoral College Chancellor’s International Scholarship

2021

  • Mzuzu University Research and Publications Committee (RPC) grant

2015 - 2016

  • World Bank through Mzuzu University Skills Development Project Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand

Other certificates

2023 - 2024

  • Associate Fellowship for Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)

2021 - 2022

  • Preparing to Teach in Higher Education (PTHE)
  • Sprint Postgraduate Programme
  • Research Ethics
  • Research Integrity

Other roles

Current roles

  • CADRE workshop facilitator
  • International Student Ambassador
  • ADC SSLC - Student Rep, APP PGR Route A

2023-2024

  • Organising team member for CSWG 2023 - 2024 seminar series

2021-2024

  • GSD Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) PGR representative - Research Committee

2021-2022

  • GSD PhD Student Ambassador
  • GRP PhD Network - Conference organising team member