Funded by NWO (Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Dutch Research Council), ProAct is a joint project between the University of Groningen, Utrecht University, and Wageningen University & Research. The ProAct project aims to support the proactive management of tourism within the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS).

My research examined how Antarctic tourism diversification shapes tourism practices, Antarctic places, and governance. It explored how diversification unfolds in practice, how it is addressed in Antarctic Treaty System policy debates, and how Treaty values and principles can inform more proactive approaches to tourism governance. This research formed the basis of my recently completed PhD at Wageningen University & Research.

Website: https://www.uu.nl/en/research/proactive-management-of-antarctic-tourism-proact 

DOUROTUR was a project for Scientific Research and Technological Development, funded by Portugal's Norte 2020. The project aimed to increase the systemic and holistic understanding of the supply and demand of tourism products and services in the Douro region, declared in 2011 by UNESCO World Heritage as a cultural landscape site, as well as to evaluate the communication strategies and set priorities to improve digital marketing in the region. 

As a Research Fellow, I contributed to research on gender inequalities in the tourism labour market, using mixed methods to examine the experiences of tourism workers in the region. This research formed the basis of my master’s thesis and was presented at the Royal Geographical Society in London. 

Website: https://www.utad.pt/gap/en/dourotur-tourism-and-technological-innovation-in-the-douro/ 

EarthCorps is a Seattle-based environmental organization that works with communities to restore ecosystems and strengthen environmental leadership. 

From June to December 2019, I worked as an Environmental Restoration Crew Member, supporting restoration projects across the Puget Sound region through invasive species removal, native planting, trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and volunteer engagement. I also spoke at EarthCorps’ 2019 fundraising event, connecting environmental challenges in the Amazon with local restoration efforts in the United States for an audience of more than 500 supporters and donors.

Website: https://www.earthcorps.org/

Say HI to Sustainability was a three-year collaboration between Hostelling International (HI) Norway and HI Brazil, funded by Norec (formerly FK Norway), to strengthen sustainability practices across the HI network. The project combined knowledge exchange between the two countries with practical sustainability work, including auditing hostels in Norway and Brazil, developing sustainability tools and strategies, and sharing best practices across the network. 

As Sustainability Project Manager in Norway, I supported the implementation of the project across more than 50 hostels, contributing to sustainability audits, quality management, partnerships, events, and workshops focused on circular economy and environmental awareness.

Website: https://www.norec.no/en

Also featured in: https://tourism4sdgs.org/initiatives/say-hi-to-sustainability/

A Route to Connect was a youth-led project, supported by the European Youth Foundation, that focused on raising awareness about the refugee situation along the Balkan route and giving a voice to the stories of refugees.

As a participant, I took part in a 2017 field study traveling along the “Balkan route” through several countries, visiting refugee camps and meeting refugees, local organizations, NGOs, and public authorities to document experiences and perspectives along the route. Following the fieldwork, I organized an awareness-raising event in Porto, Portugal, in collaboration with the MEDESTU association, sharing information and raising awareness about the refugee situation and the experiences of people traveling through Europe.

Website: https://routetoconnect.sci.ngo/

TECHO is a youth-led organization working with communities in informal settlements across Latin America to address housing and broader social inequalities. Between 2011 and 2015, I volunteered with TECHO in Brazil and Argentina, participating in community-based housing projects and supporting the construction of homes for families living in informal settlements.

My experience with TECHO also formed the basis for my research on volunteer tourism. During fieldwork in Argentina, I used participant observation and interviews to explore the motivations, experiences, and expectations of volunteers taking part in TECHO’s projects. This research was published as a scientific article in the Revista Iberoamericana de Turismo (RITUR) in 2014.

Website: https://teto.org.br/

AIESEC is an international youth organization that offers young people opportunities to participate in international internships and volunteering programs. 

In 2013, I participated in a three-month international internship program at a school in Semarang, Indonesia. My role focused on helping children build confidence in English conversation and creating an international atmosphere in the school through interaction with international volunteers.

Website: https://aiesec.org/

WWOOF connects volunteers with organic farms around the world, offering opportunities to learn about sustainable agriculture through hands-on work. In 2014, I volunteered on organic farms in France and Italy, working on planting, harvesting, gardening, and composting, and helping renovate a barn using traditional adobe techniques in Italy.

Website: https://wwoof.net/