Tourism connects people, cultures, and economies, but it also places growing pressure on communities and environments around the world. So what does sustainable tourism really mean in practice, and how can such a complex global industry become more equitable and resilient?

In this episode, Sophie Crossley speaks with Jose Melenez Roman, Lecturer in Sustainable Tourism at the University of Exeter. With more than 14 years of experience working across public and private sector tourism projects worldwide, Jose explores how collaboration, governance, and innovation can help tackle some of tourism’s toughest sustainability challenges.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What “sustainable tourism” really means beyond the buzzword
• The hidden social and environmental costs of tourism
• How participatory governance helps destinations design better solutions
• Greenwashing in tourism and how organisations can build credibility
• Whether regulation or collaboration will drive change in the years ahead
• Advice for students and professionals entering the sustainable tourism field

In this podcast, Host Sofia Salas Lopez speaks with Dr Kimberley Hockings, Associate Professor in Conservation Science at the University of Exeter. She is an active member of many conservation organisations, such as the Great Ape Section of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, and as the co-Director of the Cantanhez Chimpanzee Project

Dr Kimberley is a conservation biologist, with her work mainly focused on studying and facilitating human-wildlife interactions, especially with great apes. Dr Kimberley has extensive experience with fieldwork across West Africa, working on conservation projects and policy.

In this conversation, we will learn more about the biggest issues facing primates and how different forms of conservation can shape the future of wildlife by creating a symbiosis between people and nature.

Highlights:

• Introduction to Dr Hockings and her journey into conservation

• The importance of studying primates

• Threats to primates (Human-wildlife interactions, disease, land loss…)

• The role of community work in conservation

• AI and technology in conservation

• Hopes for the future

Links to further explore her work: https://experts.exeter.ac.uk/26467-kimberley-hockings/about

In this episode, Sophie is joined by Dr Sarah Bell, Senior Lecturer in Health Geography at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health.

Sarah is a health and disability geographer whose research explores how wellbeing, social inequality, and disability intersect with our changing environments, from parks, gardens, and coastlines to the weather, seasons, and climate change.

Our conversation covers how our environments shape who we are and how we live — and what it really means to design a fairer, healthier world for everyone.

Highlights:

• How disability, wellbeing, and environment intersect across the life course
• Lessons from the Sensing Nature project and multisensory access to the outdoors
• The balance between research, real-world impact, and policy change
• Short-termism vs long-term investment in health and nature initiatives
• Staying motivated in the face of climate challenges and systemic barriers

Shownotes:

• Sensing Nature program: https://sensing-nature.com