Starting from 1st of August 2024, Ilker Gül, a guest research assistant from Turkey, will begin working at the Institute of Social, Economic and Humanities Research (HESPI) of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The researcher will be involved in the project "Visitor Monitoring and Management in Protected and Recreational Areas: New Challenges, Novel Solutions for the Anthropocene (VIMAS)" for three years and will also commence studies in the joint doctoral program "Economics and Business".

The primary objective of VIMAS project is to develop more efficient governance of nature areas for tourism and recreation, in the best way possible for biodiversity, people’s quality of life and business development. This will be achieved through research about smarter monitoring methods, improved visitor management and more inclusive governance. The project is implemented under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks. Researcher, MSCA fellow Ilker Gül will conduct research at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences on the topic "Challenges and solutions of financing public goods related to outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism."

Ilker Gül on his motivation and experience:

“I have always been passionate about understanding the intricacies and dilemmas of tourism, both as an industry and as a reflection of human behaviour. I pursued my bachelor's degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management in Turkey and followed it with a master's in Tourism Management at Istanbul University. My curiosity also led me to complete an associate degree in Culinary Arts at Anadolu University. Driven by a desire to delve into the deeper motivations behind tourism behaviours, the intersection of society and tourism, and the impact of the sharing economy, I've conducted research in these areas.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I've gained practical experience in the industry by working in hotels, and I have also served as a research assistant and lecturer at universities. Moreover, I explored the fields of sociology and history, being a final-year student at both the History Department at Istanbul University and the Sociology Department at Atatürk University. However, my academic journey took an exciting turn when I joined the VIMAS project. This project, which is conducted across multiple countries and brings together researchers from diverse backgrounds, offers a fantastic opportunity to investigate the natural dimensions of tourism from a unique, non-anthropocentric perspective. It also provides essential research skills and a pathway toward a PhD, significantly advancing my career.”