Pooneh Torabian, Tourism staff profiles, Department of Tourism

Senior Lecturer

Office OBS 9.03
Tel +64 3 479 4116
Email pooneh.torabian@otago.ac.nz

Background

Pooneh Torabian joined the Department of Tourism in 2019. She has a PhD in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Waterloo in Canada. Pooneh’s research interests revolve around Critical Mobilities, Citizenship and Border Crossings, Tourism & Migration, Intersectionality, Arts & reintegration, Qualitative Inquiry and Storytelling.

Pooneh uses an interdisciplinary lens to study how intersections of identities such as race, gender, and class, shape international mobilities. She is interested in the notions of (dual) citizenship and freedom of movement and their implications for crossing international borders. More recently, she has started research projects where she explores how arts and leisure can help marginalised communities with resettlement, homemaking, and (re)integration.

Research Groups

Centre for Global Migrations (CGM)
Middle East and Islamic Studies Aotearoa (MEISA)

Current PhD Supervision

Animesh Tripathi, Contemporary Lifestyle Mobilities of Travellers in India
Mercede Shavanddasht, Outdoor Leisure and Sense of Belonging for Iranian Migrants in New Zealand
Yun Ji, Slow Tourism and Cycling in New Zealand
Maryam Sadin, Lived Experiences of Female Migrant Workers in Tourism and Hospitality Sector in New Zealand
Angel Yin, To Live Is to Wander: Becoming, Belonging, and the Contradictions of Life on the Road in Dali

Completed PhD and Master's supervision

PhD – Xi Zhu, Professionalism or Human Virtues?: On What Makes a 'Good' Chinese Tour Guide in New Zealand
Masters - Amrutha Pookatkunnath Sasidharan, Between Stories and Realities: Understanding Tourist Motivation in Fantasy Tourism
Masters – Dong Lyu, The Speed of Travel Experience: Exploring Rapid Tourism and Achievement in Special Forces-Style Travel among Young Chinese Travelers
Masters – Jessica Lucas, The Influence of Official Marketing Content Versus User-Generated Content on the Pre-Travel Decision-Making of Tourists
Masters – Zirui (Sylvia) Wang, A study of Lifestyle and Travel Motivation of Women in Mainland China
Masters – Richa Berde, Exploring People's Experiences of Engaging with Travel Vlogs on YouTube during the Pandemic
Masters – Dakang Zhang, The Development of Group Tourism in China: The Case of Youth Tour Group in South island Natural Scenery Area
Masters – Weizhe Wang, The Tourists' Perceptions of Authenticity in Ancient City Tour

Publications

Tripathi, A., Torabian, P., & Tucker, H. (2026). Why are “you” moving around so much? In R. A. Mowatt, P. Torabian & F. Higgins-Desbiolles (Eds.), Handbook of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in tourism. (pp. 214-222). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781035311347.00026 Chapter in Book - Research

Torabian, P. (2026). ‘Like cows in a slaughterhouse’: Israeli necropolitics at checkpoint/border crossings. In R. A. Mowatt, P. Torabian & F. Higgins-Desbiolles (Eds.), Handbook of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in tourism. (pp. 200-213). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781035311347.00025 Chapter in Book - Research

Mowatt, R. A., Higgins-Desbiolles, F., & Torabian, P. (2026). Advancing gender justice in tourism: Four feminist analyses in focus. In R. A. Mowatt, P. Torabian & F. Higgins-Desbiolles (Eds.), Handbook of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in tourism. (pp. 57-77). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781035311347.00014 Chapter in Book - Research

Torabian, P., Higgins-Desbiolles, F., & Mowatt, R. A. (2026). Introduction to the handbook of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in tourism. In R. A. Mowatt, P. Torabian & F. Higgins-Desbiolles (Eds.), Handbook of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in tourism. (pp. 1-13). Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. doi: 10.4337/9781035311347.00009 Chapter in Book - Research

Torabian, P., Higgins-Desbiolles, F., & Mowatt, R. A. (Eds.). (2026). Handbook of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in tourism. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 390p. doi: 10.4337/9781035311347 Edited Book - Research

2026

Edited Book - Research

Torabian, P., Higgins-Desbiolles, F., & Mowatt, R. A. (Eds.). (2026). Handbook of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in tourism. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 390p. doi: 10.4337/9781035311347

Chapter in Book - Research

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Torabian, P. (2026, February). Academic (im)mobilities, solidarity, and political expression [Plenary panel: Education at and through borders]. Plenary presentation at the Crossing Borders Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2025

Edited Book - Research

Torabian, P., & Albrecht, J. N. (Eds.). (2025). Justice in tourism destinations: Avenues for destination governance and management. Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 145p. doi: 10.4324/9781003406242

Chapter in Book - Research

Albrecht, J. N., & Torabian, P. (2025). Justice in tourism destination governance: Current knowledge and future research directions. In P. Torabian & J. N. Albrecht (Eds.), Justice in tourism destinations: Avenues for destination governance and management. (pp. 135-143). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003406242-10

Torabian, P., & Albrecht, J. N. (2025). Introduction. In P. Torabian & J. N. Albrecht (Eds.), Justice in tourism destinations: Avenues for destination governance and management. (pp. 1-7). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003406242-1

2024

Chapter in Book - Research

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2024). Fieldwork. In J. Jafari & H. Xiao (Eds.), Encyclopedia of tourism. (2nd ed.) (pp. 395). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-74923-1

Journal - Research Other

Torabian, P., & Muldoon, M. (2024). COVID-19 vaccine passports: Global inequalities and entangled mobilities. Tourism Culture & Communication, 24(2), 145-154. doi: 10.3727/109830423X16969739300638

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Torabian, P. (2024, November). Arts as an alternative means of self-expression for migrant women. Verbal presentation at the Global Migrations Past and Present Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2023

Chapter in Book - Other

Mair, H., & Torabian, P. (2023). Epistemology in tourism. In J. Jafari & H. Xiao (Eds.), Encyclopedia of tourism. (Living ed.) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_72-2

Journal - Research Other

Torabian, P. (2023). [Review of the book Tourism paradoxes: Contradictions, controversies and challenges]. Tourism Geographies, 25(2-3), 945-946. doi: 10.1080/14616688.2021.1938658

2022

Journal - Research Article

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2022). Insurgent citizens: Mobility (in)justice and international travel. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(2-3), 392-407. doi: 10.1080/09669582.2021.1945069

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Tripathi, A., Tucker, H., & Torabian, P. (2022). Exploring the 'routes' of lifestyle travellers. Proceedings of Critical Tourism Studies (CTS) 9: With In Dangerous Times. Retrieved from https://www.criticaltourismstudies.info/programme

Torabian, P., & Mostolizadeh, A. (2022). The colour of your passport: International students and travelling to New Zealand. Proceedings of Critical Tourism Studies (CTS) 9: With In Dangerous Times. Retrieved from https://www.criticaltourismstudies.info/programme

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Torabian, P. (2022, March). Arts behind bars: Māori men's experiences of participating in arts programmes at Otago Corrections Facility. Verbal presentation at the Academy of Leisure Sciences (TALS) Annual Conference on Research & Teaching, [Online].

2020

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Torabian, P., & Mostolizadeh, A. (2020). Travelling to and from New Zealand: Experiences of Iranian international students. Proceedings of the New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) Biennial Conference. (pp. 52-53). Retrieved from https://nzgsconference2020.gitlab.io

Torabian, P. (2020). Insurgent citizens: Border crossings and mobilities (in)justice. Proceedings of the New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) Biennial Conference. (pp. 51-52). Retrieved from https://nzgsconference2020.gitlab.io

2019

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Torabian, P., Kalbfleisch, L., Norman, R., Mair, H., & Mock, S. (2019). Stride nights: Leisure opportunities for federally sentenced women that helps with community re-integration. In T. Walters, R. Kerr & E. J. Stewart (Eds.), The Diversity of Leisure: Proceedings of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (ANZALS) 14th Biennial Conference. (pp. 107-108). Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Tourism, University of Otago. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/anzals2019

Awarded Doctoral Degree

Torabian, P. (2019). “Look at me! Am I a security threat?!”: Border crossing experiences of Canadian dual citizens post 9/11 (PhD). University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10012/15049

2018

Journal - Research Article

Berbary, L. A., Valtchanov, B. L., Torabian, P., Gao, M., Miller, M. C., & Briscoe, C. L. (2018). Onto-epistemological and theoretical engagements through praxis and beyond: Comfort, crises, shifts, and re-groupings. Leisure Sciences, 40(3), 95-109. doi: 10.1080/01490400.2017.1377125

Journal - Research Other

Havitz, M. E., Torabian, P., Mowatt, R. A., & Dustin, D. L. (2018). Four voices for justice: Reflections on seeking relevance in higher education [Invited]. Journal of Park & Recreation Administration, 36(4), 156-175. doi: 10.18666/JPRA-2018-V36-I4-9242

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2018). (im)Mobilities in the time of terror: Experiences of Canadian dual citizens post 9/11. Proceedings of the International Sociological Association (ISA) XIX World Congress of Sociology. (pp. 961). Madrid, Spain: International Sociological Association. Retrieved from https://isaconf.confex.com

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Torabian, P. (2018, August). Borders and exclusion: International travel in the time of terror. Keynote presentation at the Critical Tourism Studies North America (CTS-NA) II Conference: Critical Connectivities and Caring Communities Across Borders, Kamloops, Canada.

2017

Journal - Research Article

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2017). (Re)constructing the Canadian border: Anti-mobilities and tourism. Tourist Studies, 17(1), 17-35. doi: 10.1177/1468797616685645

Rouzrokh, M., Muldoon, M., Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2017). The memory-work sessions: Exploring critical pedagogy in tourism. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, 21(Part B), 163-173. doi: 10.1016/j.jhlste.2017.08.006

Torabian, P., & Miller, M. C. (2017). Freedom of movement for all? Unpacking racialized travel experiences. Current Issues in Tourism, 20(9), 931-945. doi: 10.1080/13683500.2016.1273882

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Mair, H., Mock, S., Valtchanov, B., Gillmore, R., Kalbfleisch, L., Norman, R., … Torabian, P. (2017). The legacy of friendship: Exploring the role of volunteer supports for women who have been incarcerated. Proceedings of the 15th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR15): Engaging legacies. (pp. 241-242). Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/

Torabian, P. (2017). Border crossing and securitization post 9/11: Exploring experiences of Canadian dual citizens. Proceedings of the 15th Canadian Congress on Leisure Research (CCLR15): Engaging legacies. (pp. 359-360). Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2017). Border crossing and securitization in the time of terror: Experiences of Canadian dual citizens. Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society with IBG (RGS-IBG) Annual International Conference: Decolonising Geographical Knowledges: Opening Geography out to the World. Retrieved from http://conference.rgs.org/AC2017

2016

Journal - Research Article

Torabian, P., & Arai, S. M. (2016). Tourist perceptions of souvenir authenticity: An exploration of selective tourist blogs. Current Issues in Tourism, 19(7), 697-712. doi: 10.1080/13683500.2013.820259

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Torabian, P. (2016). Securitized travel post 9/11: Freedom of movement for dual citizens? Proceedings of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting. AAG. Retrieved from http://app.core-apps.com/aagam2016

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2016, August). Travelling post 9/11: Narratives of Canadians with dual citizenship. Verbal presentation at the Critical Tourism Studies (CTS) North America Conference, Huntsville, Canada.

Mair, H., Muldoon, M. L., Torabian, P., & Rouzrokh, M. (2016, August). Re-embodiment of travel remembrances: The practicum of memory work in tourism pedagogy. Workshop presentation at the Critical Tourism Studies (CTS) North America Conference, Huntsville, Canada.

Torabian, P., Lopez, K. J., Mostolizadeh, A., Berbary, L., Grimwood, B. S. R., & Arai, S. M. (2016, August). Unlearning racism: Dawning power, wielding resistance, and promoting peace in tourism and leisure studies. Workshop presentation at the Critical Tourism Studies (CTS) North America Conference, Huntsville, Canada.

2015

Chapter in Book - Research

Mair, H., & Torabian, P. (2015). Epistemology, tourism. In J. Jafari & H. Xiao (Eds.), Encyclopedia of tourism. (Living ed.) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_72-1

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2015). Fieldwork, tourism. In J. Jafari & H. Xiao (Eds.), Encyclopedia of tourism. (Living ed.) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-01669-6_556-1

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2015). Inequalities in tourism: The politics of international access. Proceedings of the Canadian Association of Geographers Ontario Division (CAGONT) Annual Meeting: Critical Geographies. (pp. 131). Retrieved from http://www.geography.ryerson.ca/cagont

Mostolizadeh, S., & Torabian, P. (2015). Sound, camera, walk: Ethnography of a recreational walking performance through videography. Proceedings of the Canadian Association of Geographers Ontario Division (CAGONT) Annual Meeting: Critical Geographies. (pp. 97). Retrieved from http://www.geography.ryerson.ca/cagont

Mostolizadeh, S. A., & Torabian, P. (2015). Moralities of walking: Appreciating slow mobilities through videography. Proceedings of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://app.core-apps.com/aagam2015

2014

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Torabian, P., Muldoon, M., Rouzrokh, M., & Mair, H. (2014). Critical pedagogy and transformational learning in tourism: Exploring the promise of memory-work. In C. Schott, K. Caton & C. Herzog (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tourism Education Futures Initiative (TEFI) 8th Annual Conference. 3(1), (pp. 21-33). Tourism Education Futures Initiative. Retrieved from http://tourismeducationfutures.org/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Muldoon, M., Rouzrokh, M., Torabian, P., & Mair, H. (2014). Understandings of power and embodiment in the tourism experience: A memory-work project. Proceedings of the Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) Annual Meeting: Borders Without Boundaries. (pp. 204). Retrieved from https://www.cag-acg.ca/

2013

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Torabian, P. (2013). Gift shop owners’ perception of authenticity of Canadian indigenous souvenirs. Proceedings of Celebrating and Enhancing the Tourism Knowledge-based Platform: A Tribute to Jafar Jafari. Retrieved from http://www.uibcongres.org/jafaritribute

2012

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Torabian, P. (2012, April). Measuring the acceptable level of negative social impacts of tourism on local communities of Iran: A case study of Parishan wetland local communities. Verbal presentation at the 6th World Conference for Graduate Research in Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure, Fethiye, Turkey.

2011

Journal - Research Article

Ziaee, M., & Torabian, P. (2011). Measuring the acceptable level of social impacts of tourists on local communities of Iran: A case study of Parishan wetland. Geography, 8(27), 206-225.

Background

Research Groups

Current PhD Supervision

Completed PhD and Master's supervision

Publications

2026

Edited Book - Research

Chapter in Book - Research

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2025

Edited Book - Research

Chapter in Book - Research

2024

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Other

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2023

Chapter in Book - Other

Journal - Research Other

2022

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2020

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2019

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Awarded Doctoral Degree

2018

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2017

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2016

Journal - Research Article

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2015

Chapter in Book - Research

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2014

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2013

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2012

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

2011

Journal - Research Article

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