A world-renowed study aboard expert and leader in sustainable development research has been appointed as an Adjunct Professor within the Learning & Teaching Education Research Centre (LTERC) based at CQUniversity Noosa.

Professor Michael Tarrant is currently the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources (and Adjunct Professor in Anthropology) at the University of Georgia, USA.

Prof Michael Tarrant

He has a home near the Noosa Campus and spends a considerable amount of time each year in Queensland. 

CQUniversity Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research) Professor Hilary Winchester says this Adjunct position adds value to research and engagement in a range of sustainable development education activities of CQUniversity based at Noosa Campus.

Professor Tarrant's teaching and research interests include educational travel and tourism, sustainable development, learning outcomes of study abroad, and the human dimensions of natural resources.

Additionally, he currently directs the Office of Global Programs in Sustainability at the University of Georgia (www.DiscoverAbroad.uga.edu) which works with over 250 US students abroad annually throughout Australasia. Until recently, he also owned and directed an educational travel business that worked with another 500 US students abroad annually in Australasia.

LTERC Director and Head of Noosa Campus Professor Mike Horsley says Professor Tarrant's appointment also considerably advances the campus' strategic plan to expand study abroad and international short course offerings at Noosa and other related campuses.

"Already, student groups from the University of Georgia have utilised the facilities of the Noosa Campus of CQUniversity, and part of this Adjunct appointment will be to further develop study abroad programs engaging with CQUniversity," Professor Horsley said.

Professor Tarrant is already assisting Steve Noakes, the Noosa Campus-based Head of the Tourism and Hospitality program, in the delivery of sustainable tourism courses offered by the University.

The new Adjunct's current research addresses how international programs can be designed to nurture global citizenship in the context of sustainable development.

Globally, he is at the forefront in practice and research on the world-wide movement for Studying Abroad, whether for first-time or experienced travellers, including how such programs can have profound impacts on learning outcomes, and how people view themselves and their role as citizens in an increasingly global society.

He also has a research interest in environmental justice, protected area management and how natural resources are managed for the full range of human and non-human values - topics particularly relevant to the current engagement and leadership by CQUniversity with the UNESCO Noosa Biosphere initiative. His research utilises a variety of methods, ranging from geographic information systems to social science survey methodology.