Doctoral research abstract
Children and disabled people are two historically under-represented groups that have attracted the attention of tourism scholars in recent times. Current tourism literature focusing on children recognises their agentic role and the possibility of their greater participation in research initiatives. This emerging commitment to researching with children is aligned with the underlying principles of Childhood Studies, as well as the UN Convention on Rights of the Child (1989). Similarly, tourism literature has begun to explore the experiences of disabled people through multiple lenses, including Disability Studies and core tenets of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006). These separate strands of tourism inquiry have given minimal attention to the experiences of disabled children, who are situated in the intersection of Childhood, Disability, and Tourism Studies. In response to the absence of disabled children in tourism research, my study explores the holiday experiences of disabled children, utilising an inclusive research design that is participatory in nature. Positioned theoretically in the growing field of Disabled Children's Childhood Studies, the study's findings will advance understanding of disabled children's experiences within tourism research, Disabled Children's Childhood Studies, Disability Studies, and Childhood Studies which in turn will inform the work and participation of tourism policy makers, disability advocacy and community organisations, families-whānau, and, importantly, disabled children.
Education
Master of Commerce, Management. University of Otago, New Zealand (2014)
Master of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management. The University of Sydney, Australia (2007)
B.A. in Business Administration, Corporate Administration (Hons). Anglia Polytechnic University, United Kingdom (2003)
Scholarships & Awards
Best Presentation Award, Graduate Seminar Series. The Department of Tourism, University of Otago (2019)
ANZALS student scholarship. 14th Biennial Australia and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies Conference (2019)
University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship. University of Otago, New Zealand (2017-2020)
Master's degree Publishing Bursary. University of Otago, New Zealand (2015)
Australian Development (AusAID) Scholarship (2007)
Ashcroft International Business School Prize for Excellence. Anglia Polytechnic University, United Kingdom (2001/2002)
Ashcroft International Business School Prize for Excellence. Anglia Polytechnic University, United Kingdom (2000/2001)
Book Prize. Kolej Bandar Utama, Malaysia (2002)
Book Prize. Kolej Bandar Utama, Malaysia (2001)
Primary research interests
Children and tourism
Including: Children's agency, rights and voice
Disability and tourism
Including: Travel and access needs, holiday experiences, stigma and distress experienced by disabled children and their families
Research methods with dis/abled children
Including: inclusive, innovative, strength-based participatory methods, methodological and ethical challenges of researching with dis/abled children
Teaching experience
Teaching Fellow
Tourist Behaviour (TOUR217, 2019), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
Tourism & Hospitality Enterprise Management (TOUR218, 2019), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
Tutoring
Business and Society (BSNS111, 2017-2019), Disability Information & Support, University of Otago, New Zealand
Interpersonal/International Business Communication (MANT 222, 2017), Department of Management, University of Otago, New Zealand
Occupational Psychology (MANT347, 2015), Disability Information & Support, University of Otago, New Zealand
Management and Organisation (BSNS105, 2015-2016), Disability Information & Support, University of Otago, New Zealand
Management and Organisation (BSNS105, 2014 – 2016), Department of Management, University of Otago, New Zealand
Guest Lecturer
Tourist Behaviour (TOUR217, 2019), University of Otago, New Zealand
Tourism & Hospitality Enterprise Management (TOUR218, 2017-2019), University of Otago, New Zealand
Lecturing
Business Decision Making (2012), Male' Business School, Maldives
ABE Corporate Strategy, Governance & Ethics in the Global Environment (2012), Maps College, Maldives
Human Resource Management (2008-2010), Maldives National University, Maldives
Business Communication (2005-2010), Maldives National University, Maldives
Organisational Behaviour (2008), Maldives National University, Maldives
Business Research Methods (2008), Maldives National University, Maldives
Management and Organisation (2005, 2006), Maldives National University, Maldives
ACCA Managing People (2005-2006), Maldives National University, Maldives
CIMA Integrated Management (2005-2006), Maldives National University, Maldives
ABE Business Communication (2004-2005), Clique College, Maldives
Thesis Supervision
Applied Research Project (2009, 2010), Maldives National University, Maldives
Course Coordination
Diploma in Business (2008-2010), Maldives National University, Maldives
Advanced Certificate in Management (2005-2007), Maldives National University, Maldives
Teacher Training
Teacher Training for Tourism Department Tutors – a self-paced Teaching Development Programme organised by Dr. Susan Houge Mackenzie (2019), Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
Postgraduate Professional Training Programme (2018), University of Otago, New Zealand
HEDC Tutor training for Management (2015, 2016, 2017), Department of Management, University of Otago, New Zealand
Introduction to Tutoring and Demonstrating at the University of Otago (2014), Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, New Zealand
Faculty Development Programme (2008), Indian Institute of Management, India
Training of Trainers Programme (2006), CINEC Maritime Campus, Sri Lanka
Research experience
Peer-reviewed publications
Shiraani, F., Carr, N., & Rutherford, G. (In press). Disabled children as legitimate research participants: A topic omitted from tourism research? In J. Lima, & C. Eusébio (Eds.), Social Tourism: Global Challenges and Approaches. United Kingdom: CABI.
Shiraani, F. & Carr, N. (Accepted). Disabled children in tourism. In D. Buhalis (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
Shiraani, F., Shaheer, I., & Carr, N. (In review) Procedural ethics vs. Being ethical: A critical appraisal. In F. Okumus, M. Rasoolimanesh, & S. Jahani (Eds.), Contemporary Research Methodology for Hospitality and Tourism. Emerald Publishing Group.
Singhal, D., Shiraani, F., & Adhikary, J. R. (2009). Inclination of youth towards social networking sites: a three-nation exploration. Abhigyan, 27(1), 54-70. (Responsible for: data collection)
Other publications
Shiraani, F. (2015). HRM in academia: From strategy to enactment - A multilevel study (Thesis, Master of Commerce). University of Otago. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/5639
Shiraani, F. (2012). Introduction to Management. Centre for Open Learning, Maldives National University, Maldives
Shiraani, F. (2011). Office Administration. Centre for Open Learning, Maldives National University, Maldives
Shiraani, F., & Shaheer, I. (2011). Study Skills. Centre for Open Learning, Maldives National University, Maldives
Research jobs
Research Fellow (2019), Funded project:Virtual Assistance Dogs: Improving Learning for Disadvantaged Youth, University of Otago, New Zealand. (Principal Investigator: Professor Neil Carr)
Assistant Research Fellow (2014), Higher Education Development Centre, University of Otago, NewZealand (Reporting to: Dr. Sarah Stein)
Reviewer
World Leisure Journal – Special Issue on Leisure for Children and Youth. (2019). Reviewed 1 paper
University of Otago Student Research Symposium (2019). Reviewed 5 student abstracts.
The 27th Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education – CAUTHE (2016). Reviewed 7 papers
The 30th Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management – ANZAM (2016). Reviewed 3 papers
The 29th Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management – ANZAM (2015). Reviewed 3 papers
Presentations
Shiraani, F. & Carr. N. (2019, December). Diverse families and children in the holiday experience: in need of better representation? Paper presented at the 14th Australia and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS) Conference, Queenstown, New Zealand.
Shiraani, F. (2019, August). Disabled Children/Young People's Holiday Experiences: Stories Unattended in Tourism Research. Presented at the University of Otago Student Research Symposium.
Membership
Australia & New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies – ANZALS (2019-pres)
Collaborative On-Demand Learning Advisory Board, University of Otago, New Zealand (2019)
Children and Young People as Social Actors Research Cluster, University of Otago, New Zealand (2017-pres)
Sociological Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (2017-pres)
WLO Leisure for Children and Youth Special Interest Group (2017-pres)
World Leisure Organisation – WLO (2017-2018)
Human Resources Institute of New Zealand – HRINZ (2013-2014)
Lifetime Membership of Honorary Society Beta Gamma Sigma,The University of Sydney, Australia (2008-pres)
Volunteering roles
PhD Student Representative, Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand
University of Otago Student Research Symposium (2019), University of Otago, New Zealand (Planning committee)
Disability Matters Conference: Making the Convention Real (2017), University of Otago, New Zealand (Assisiting delegates)
The 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference (2015), University of Otago, New Zealand (Assisiting delegates)
Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council (2015-2016), Dunedin, New Zealand (Executive Member)
Migrant/ethnic Group – 'Chai and Chat' (2015), Dunedin, New Zealand (Coordinator)
Industry experience
Part-time Human Resource Consultant (2005), MediaNet Pvt. Ltd., Maldives
Full-time Human Resource Manager (2004-2005), Maldives CableNet Pvt. Ltd., Maldives
Funding & Grants
Vodafone New Zealand Innovation Fund (2019). Applicants: Professor Neil Carr, Dr. Wiebke Finkler, Dr. Brendon Woodford, Fathimath Shiraani [Unsuccessful]
Dunedin City Council Community Grant (2015). Applied for Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council 's 'Chai and Chat' Migrant/Ethnic group. Applicants: Fathimath Shiraani, Yulia Taylor [Successful]