About Dr Stephanie Preston
I have been at the University since 2014 and have been a module leader for multiple modules delivered at Sunderland Business School, primarily in the areas of tourism, hospitality, aviation and events, but also teaching on some business-based modules. I have taught undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as taking on roles of Personal Tutor, Project Supervisor, and Placement Mentor. I have also been a Programme Leader for both BSc International Tourism and Hospitality Management and BSc International Tourism and Aviation Management.
Currently, I'm Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Events and Programme Leader for BSc International Tourism and Aviation Management.
Prior to joining the University, I held a range of employment positions in the Travel, Tourism, Aviation and Hospitality Industries, working with some major organisations including TUI UK, The National Trust, Scarborough Council, Middlesbrough Football Club and Teesside International Airport. I also held positions in further education where I was initially a Business Administration Apprentice in HR and Finance before progressing with a teaching career as a Course Leader and a Section Leader for the Travel, Tourism and Aviation provisions.
Academically, my background was initiated at University of Teesside where I completed a BA (Hons) Tourism Management degree and an MA in Human Resource Management. I also completed my teacher training at Newcastle College and, some years later, a PhD in the Department of Human Resources and Leadership at Northumbria University. My PhD specifically explored employee wellbeing within the UK aviation context.
I encourage positive and respected relations with students and support them with developing their academic abilities alongside preparing them for practical careers within the industry. Some of the engagements I support with are mentoring, use of guest speakers and shaping employability skills and interactions. In spare moments I also enjoy working with peers on developing academic research specifically linked to my areas of academic specialism. I also continue to grow and develop relationships within industrial contexts and with local educational providers to enhance both study and research collaborations.
Please feel free to reach out to discuss any further future opportunities.
Teaching and supervision
I teach across all Hospitality, Events, Aviation and Tourism provisions, but more specifically on:
- BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Hospitality Management (including the Top-Up)
- BSc (Hons) International Tourism and Aviation Management
- MSc Tourism and Aviation.
I currently teach the following modules:
- MGT1003 Aviation, The Environment and Society
- MGT3003 Management and Commercial Operations for Aviation
- MGT301 Strategic Leadership and Collaboration
- MGT2000 Current Issues in Tourism
- TLH253 Placement in Hospitality, Events, Aviation and Tourism
- CHTM39 Aviation Management Studies (Master's).
I am also a research supervisor for undergraduate and postgraduate major projects and PhD students, as well as a placement module mentor.
Interests
- Tourism/aviation
- HR
- Leadership
- Management
- Employee wellbeing/employee relations
- Stress/burnout
- Service sector.
Research
My research is still developing; however, I am interested in exploring employees, their work interactions and how these can impact their experiences of wellbeing. I also consider differing relationships within this, including management and union involvement. I hold an optimistic view of the creation of sustainable workforces and the future of employment.
Further information
Qualifications: BA (Hons), MA, PhD, Cert Ed, PGCE in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
Memberships: CIPD member, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, British Academy of Management.
Conference Attendances:
- UFHRD Conference, Northumbria University, June 2018 (Presented)
- 3rd International Research Symposium in Tourism, Hospitality and Events: Impact, Innovation and Interdisciplinary, University of Sunderland, May 2019 (Presented)
- Northumbria University PGR Conference, June 2020
- 14th International Association on Workplace Bullying and Harassment Conference (IAWBH) Huddersfield University, 25–28 June 2024 (Presented with co-author Professor Stephen Teo).