Experts directory

Prof KF Mearns

College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
School of Environmental Sciences
Department: Environmental Sciences
Professor
Tel: 011 471 2973
E-mail: mearnkf@unisa.ac.za

Expertise

  • Community Tourism
  • Ecotourism
  • Sustainable Tourism

Qualifications

  • BSc Geography, Botany and Development studies (University of Johannesburg, 1993)
  • BSc (hon) Geography and Environmental Management (University of Johannesburg, 1994)
  • MSc Geography and Environmental Management (University of Johannesburg, 1997)
  • PhD Environmental Design and Management (University of Portsmouth, UK, 2011)
  • Certificate in Higher Education Management and Administration (Van der Bilt University, USA, 2002)

NRF Rating

Y2 (2014-2019)

Fields of academic interests

Ecotourism. Sustainable tourism and community-based tourism

Sustainability of Tourism, the social dimensions of Conservation areas and environmental management.

Field of Specialisation

  • Sustainable tourism
  • Environmental management
  • Ecology
  • Ecotourism

Journal articles

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

  • National Research Foundation Rating Y2 (2014-2019)
  • Commonwealth Scholarship (2006-2011)
  • NRF Thuthuka Funding (2005-2012)
  • President of Society of South African Geographers 2014-2016
  • Council Member Society of South African Geographers (2004-2018)

Projects

  •  Sustainability benchmarking for the South African Tourism Industry
  •  Social ecology of conservation areas
  •  Managing the environmental impacts of tourism within a southern African context.
  •  Social impact assessments
  •  Operational challenges of community tourism venture.
  •  Climate change and tourism