Yousra Makanse

Researcher | Antarctic Tourism | Polar Governance | Tourism & Sustainability

About

I am a researcher specializing in Antarctic tourism, sustainable tourism, and environmental governance. I recently completed my PhD at Wageningen University & Research, where I researched Antarctic tourism diversification, focusing on governance, place-making, and the role of Antarctic Treaty System values in policy and tourism development.

Before my PhD, I completed the Erasmus Mundus European Master in Tourism Management (EMTM), studying in Denmark, Slovenia, and Spain, and worked as a research fellow on tourism development in Portugal's Douro region.

Alongside my research, I have worked on sustainability and environmental projects in Norway and the United States, including managing sustainability initiatives for Hostelling International Norway and participating in ecosystem restoration projects in the Puget Sound region.

My research interests include sustainable tourism, environmental governance, protected areas, tourism policy, and Antarctic and polar regions.

I am from Brazil, and I am the daughter of a Syrian immigrant and great-granddaughter of Ukrainian immigrants.

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Delegate to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), 2025-present

IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Member, 2024-present

SCAR SC-HASS (Standing Committee on the Humanities and Social Sciences) Member, 2022-present

IPTRN (International Polar Tourism Research Network) Steering Committee Member, 2024–present

APECS Netherlands (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists) Board Member, 2023–2025

WASS (Wageningen School of Social Sciences) PhD Council Member, 2022–2023