Biografia

Valerie is an associate professor in UE´s School of Tourism, Sports and Hospitality. She holds a PhD in the Environment, with a specialty in tourism, from Simon Fraser University, Canada. Her doctoral research explored the factors that enhance resort destination resilience and was undertaken in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. Valerie also holds an MA in Recreation and Leisure Studies, and a Bachelor degree in Tourism Studies, from Brock University, Canada. She has authored a number of tourism-related publications in international journals emanating from her research endeavors on ethical behavior, sustainability, resilience, and destination governance (see https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Valerie_Sheppard2). Valerie's current research interests include an exploration into moral identity and experiential versus consumptive purchases, and the ethical evolution of tourism policy and animal welfare. Prior to her academic career, Valerie held a variety of governmental and non-governmental positions in Canada´s tourism industry.