Sophie Murphy

My journey at University College Birmingham started as an Events Management student. In the years prior to and during my study, I spent six years at a large scale specialist events and conference centre, during which time I spent several years in a supervisory operational position. I also gained experience of marketing and sponsorship management, independent events planning and management, and I worked within front of house roles at the Hilton Worldwide.

After attaining a First Class BA (Hons) Events Management degree and with a desire to teach, I secured my first educational role as an academic support worker at University College Birmingham. As part of this role I designed and implemented support strategies for students with additional needs, delivered academic skills tutorials and led on the marketing/management of the Academic Skills Centre for further education.

During this time, I undertook a wealth of professional development activity, gained experience of teaching in higher education, obtained a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Vocational Subjects (with Distinction) and applied for HEA fellowship.

Since becoming a lecturer, I have continued to further my subject knowledge by obtaining a PGCERT in Global Meetings and Events Management (2019), with a view of completing the MSc, alongside my teaching commitments. I have also become a member of the Institute of Hospitality. My responsibilities as a lecturer include teaching and leading on a range of events, hospitality, tourism and research modules. Further this, I am the year manager for the Level 5 Hospitality and Tourism Management programme, a placement mentor, moderator, and dissertation/research project supervisor.

I am module leader for the following modules:

• International Research Project
• Hospitality Investigations
• Events Business Environment
• The Hospitality and Tourism Customer Experience
• Events Industry in Context 
• The Business Innovation Project

I also teach on:

• Hospitality Operations Management

My research interests include:

• Cultural festivals and special events
• Festivals and events tourism
• Effective and engaging teaching, learning and assessment strategies
• Methodological approaches to social science research (within the fields of events, tourism and hospitality)

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and member of the Institute of Hospitality.

I continue to maintain and develop my network of industry contacts and partake in activities for industry updating, as well as conducting research in relation to my subject areas.