Elizabeth Halpenny, PhD
Contact
Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation - Academic Programs
- halpenny@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 492-5702
- Address
-
2-130G University Hall
8840 114 St NWEdmonton ABT6G 2J9
Associate Dean/Undergraduate, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation - Faculty Affairs
- halpenny@ualberta.ca
Overview
About
Degrees
PhD in Recreation and Leisure Studies - University of Waterloo (2006)
Master’s in Environmental Studies - York University (2000)
BA in Geography - Wilfrid Laurier University (1992)
Background
Previous to entering full time employment in academia, Dr. Halpenny worked with an international NGO, The International Ecotourism Society (2000-2005) as Research and Workshop Coordinator. This position entailed travel around the world assisting entrepreneurs and government agencies develop ecotourism infrastructure and programs.
Research
Dr. Halpenny conducts research in the areas of tourism, marketing, environmental psychology, and protected areas management.
Current projects include:
a) Examining the use, acceptance and impact of mobile digital technologies on tourists (i.e., festival patrons and protected area visitors);
b) Investigating the impact of World Heritage designation and other park-related brands on travel decision making;
c) Exploring individuals’ attitudes towards and stewardship of natural areas (most recently she conducted an examination of Edmontonian’s attachment to, recreation in, and stewardship of the North Saskatchewan River Valley); and,
d) Documenting children’s access to nature as a place to play and the outcomes that arise from these activities.
Teaching
Dr. Halpenny current supervises 5 PhD students and 1 Master’s student. She teaches the following graduate and undergraduate courses:
• RLS 232 Marketing for Sport, Recreation and Tourism
• RLS 452/541 Parks Management, Planning and Maintenance/ Parks and Protected Areas: Planning and Management of Natural and Cultural Heritage
• RLS 463 Issues in Tourism Development
Courses
KSR 582 - Graduate Seminar: A Seminar in Current Factors, Problems and Issues
Note: Credit will be granted for only one of KSR 582, KRLS 582 or PERLS 582.
RLS 130 - Collaborative Skills and Processes for Community Recreation and Leisure
Study of the social and political processes through which groups and individuals work to mobilize resources and establish relationships to fulfill individual and community recreation/leisure needs. Basic personal communication and conflict skills for understanding, analyzing, and working through social and political processes will be examined. Note: Credit will be granted for only one of RLS 130 or 230. Prerequisite: RLS 100.
RLS 463 - Issues in Tourism Development
Critical issues in tourism development will be examined within the context of tourism transformation models and fundamental development concepts such as commodification, authenticity, globalization, sense of place, economic impact, socio-cultural impact and environmental impact. NOTE: Field Trips are an integral and required component of this course. Requires payment of additional student instructional support fees. Refer to the Tuition and Fees page in the University Regulations section of the Calendar. Prerequisite: RLS 263.