About Us
The Gender, Entrepreneurship and Social Policy Institute (GESPi) aims to consolidate existing, and drive new, interdisciplinary research in gender, entrepreneurship and social policy. It aims to drive and influence policy and social change for equitable, diverse and inclusive (EDI) development in the tourism, hospitality and service-related sectors by creating networks and pathways for knowledge generation and exchange between academic, industry, public and civil society stakeholders.
Founded in September 2019, GESPi is a joint initiative between researchers at the University of Surrey and the Open University UK.
Our main research areas include:
- Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in all sizes of organisations
- Women’s entrepreneurship in its distinctive forms
- Gender and environmental and social entrepreneurship
- Public policies and cross-sector collaborations
- Entrepreneurship education
- Sector and area studies focusing on marginalised groups in the services sector
CrEDIT TEAM
Dr Bora Kim
Senior Lecturer in Hospitality Management; Co-Director of Learning and Teaching; Program Director for BSc IHM and IHTM
Dr Yoo Ri Kim
Assistant Professor in Hospitality Management at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Dr Sumeetra Ramakrishnan
Associate Professor, Programme Director PG Hospitality ManagementWho we work with
CrEDIT Club brings together academic researchers and industry experts from across the different tourism sectors who are committed to working together to co-create knowledge, share best practices, develop critical partnerships and support networks that will promote inclusive and diverse organisations that provide equitable opportunities for all.
Institute of Hospitality
The award winning, world-leading professional body for hospitality professionals, promoting professionalism through lifelong learning.
Travel Foundation
An international sustainable tourism organisation dedicated to ensuring that tourism has a positive impact on destinations.
ABTA
Trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry, for over 70 years.
Women in Travel CIC
Empowering Women through Employability & Entrepreneurship in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality.
GEC PR
An integrated PR and marketing agency, specialising in travel and lifestyle clients, headed up by Fiona Anderson and Sarah Salord. GEC PR's industry expertise spans decades of representing hotels, resorts, tourist boards and B2B travel industry clients.
Considerate
A specialist hospitality sustainability consultancy that drives responsible management at every level of hotel and hospitality businesses through innovative, technical and bespoke advisory services.
EDI Health Checker
Diagnose how equitable, diverse and inclusive your organisation is and recognise your strengths and weaknesses in equity, diversity and inclusion and identify areas of improvements to make your organisation more resilient and competitive in the market
Resources
Our vision is a future where a large body (the hive) of relevant and interdisciplinary research on equality, diversity and inclusion is available to all stakeholders, and where there is the co-creation and fluid transfer of knowledge and tools between diverse stakeholder groups and networks for a more equitable and inclusive tourism environment.
Reports
- Kim, B., Kim, Y.R., Kimbu, A.N., Ramakrishnan, S., Smith, W.E. (2023), Co-creating Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Travel and Tourism: Post-workshop Report. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15126/900616
- World Tourism Organization (2023), Snapshot of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in National Tourism Strategies, UNWTO, Madrid, DOI: https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284424207
- Kimbu, N.A., Ramakrishnan, S., Kim, Y.R. & Saha, P. (2021) ENGAGING NEW TRAVEL AUDIENCES: Understanding the UK BAME Travellers’ Decision-Making Process. In collaboration with Women in Travel CIC. University of Surrey SHTM.
- World Tourism Organization (2020), AlUla Framework for Inclusive Community Development through Tourism, UNWTO, Madrid, DOI: https://doi.org/10.18111/9789284422159
Books
- Swart, M.P., Cai, W., Yang, E.C.L., & Kimbu, A.N. (Eds.). (2024). Routledge Handbook on Gender in Tourism: Views on Teaching, Research and Praxis (1st ed.). Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003286721
Articles
- Kimbu A.N., Ngoasong, M.Z. & de Jong, A. (2024). Gender, entrepreneurship and social policy in tourism: Tying the knot. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 32(3) http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2024.2309216
CrEDIT CLUB
Mission statement: CrEDIT Club (co-creating equitable, diverse and inclusive tourism) brings together academics, industry and third-sector organisation professionals within tourism-related sectors (e.g., hospitality, events, and transport) to drive positive change thereby creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
The club members can co-create and access EDI diagnosis, resources, data and relevant events thereby empower organisations and policy-makers.
Joining the club, you will have priority access to:
- Personalised report based on your EDI diagnosis from the toolkit
- Latest resources and data related to EDI in tourism-related sectors
- Digital cultural calendar for your organisation to take away
- Event sign ups
Events
Past
- 30 June 2022: IWTTF Annual Conference
- 24 October 2022: EuroCHRIE Conference
- 21 June 2023: IWTTF Annual Conference
- 4 June 2023: ITT Annual Conference
- 23 June 2023: CrEDIT Launch Event
- 4 July 2023: Surrey Conference
- 9 November 2023: 2023 ESRC Festival of Social Science: Enhancing Social Inclusion
- 9 April 2024: CrEDIT Club Quarterly meet up
Upcoming
There are currently no upcoming events. Please check back again later.