Education: BA (Hons) French and Sociology (University of Lancaster); MBA (University of Edinburgh); PhD (Queen Margaret University); Diploma of Health
Services Management (Institute of Health Services Management)
Paul is best known for his work on small hospitality and tourism accommodation businesses which has led him to critique normative perspectives on small hospitality and tourism enterprises seen through the lenses of small firms, family business, lifestyle entrepreneurship, home-based businesses or farm tourism. His research has given rise to the concept of 'commercial homes' or 'commercial home enterprises' (Commercial Homes in Tourism) which is attracting growing academic and industry interest. Paul's research focuses upon critical and sociological perspectives on hospitality and tourism management and in the context of exploring commercial homes has led to his main areas of publications concentrating on small hospitality and tourism entrepreneurs, including female micro-entrepreneurs, enterprises, including social enterprises, organisational networks and networking, advanced qualitative research methods, hospitality and space, vicarious mobility. Deepening understanding of commercial home enterprises has drawn attention to the interactions between host and guest, the nature of hospitality and how the study of hospitality sheds light on people, work and society (Hospitality - A Social Lens). The study of hospitality therefore becomes a lens through which society is examined, for example, in relation to post-conflict tourism development or as a means of as a means of developing welcoming organisations that incorporate an openness towards creativity and innovation.
Currently, Paul is engaged in the launch of a new intentionally interdisciplinary journal Hospitality & Society (Hospitality & Society) which seeks to provide a hospitable meeting-ground for the discussion, exchange of ideas and advancing theoretical developments relating to perspectives on hospitality.
Paul is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, an elected member of the Association of International Scientific Experts in Tourism and is currently Vice-Chair (Research) Council for Hospitality Management Education executive committee. He is Visiting Professor at the University of Stenden, Netherlands (2008-). In addition to experience of working for a tourism social firm offering holidays to people with special needs, Paul has senior management experience in hospital management, and also in higher education where he has worked as a Head of Department.
