My name is Michelle Whitmore and I am delighted to have been selected as the 2023 CAUTHE PhD student representative. I am in the middle of a part-time PhD with the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University. I have a Bachelor of Applied Science, Environmental Management and Tourism, from Western Sydney University, and a Bachelor of Antarctic Studies (Honours) from the University of Tasmania.

For most of the last 20 years I have worked for the NSW state government in a mix of event, tourism, and environmental management roles, both from an operational and policy perspective. My research interests continue to combine my passion for the environment and tourism. My PhD is looking at plastic materiality and waste management in Disney theme parks. My supervisors are Dr Felicity Picken and Professor Denis Byrne from Western Sydney University, and Professor Emma Waterton, University of York.

Working on a PhD can sometimes feel like a solitary experience. Having a group of like-minded individuals that you can reach out to and share experiences with can help, whether that is face-to-face or virtual. I hope that the CAUTHE student cohort can provide a source of connection for many of you. I will work with other members of the CAUTHE Executive Committee to provide opportunities for you to engage in person and online. Please reach out to me at any time if you have suggestions for ways to improve your engagement with CAUTHE.

I am looking forward to a great year and I hope to meet as many of you as possible.