Assoc. Prof. Maren Viol
Originally from Germany, Maren gained her PhD from Edinburgh Napier University in the UK in 2016 with a thesis exploring commemorative narratives of the anniversary events of the fall of the Berlin Wall. She also holds an undergraduate degree in International Hospitality Management from Stenden University in the Netherlands and an MSc in Tourism and Events from the University of Sunderland in the UK. Maren has taught on tourism, hospitality and events management courses in the UK and Vietnam and has held various department and programme leadership roles. Maren is also a Senior Fellow of Advance HE. Her research interests include commemoration, memory studies, semiotics, tourism education and sustainable tourism. Maren has published award-winning research in globally leading academic journals and presented at international conferences.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctor of Philosophy (2011-2016)
Edinburgh Napier University, UK
Thesis: Collective memory and identity narratives at the 20th and 25th anniversary events of the fall of the Berlin Wall
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2012-2013)
Edinburgh Napier University, UK
- Master of Science in Tourism and Events (2010-2011)
University of Sunderland, UK
- Bachelor of Business Administration in International Hospitality Management (2006-2010)
Stenden University, Netherlands
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
- British University Vietnam
Senior Lecturer (2023 – present)
Programme Lead – Tourism Management (2023 – present)
- Glasgow Caledonian University (UK)
Lecturer (2020-2022)
Programme Leader MSc International Tourism and Events Management (2021-2022)
- British University Vietnam
Senior Lecturer (2016-2019)
Programme Leader BA(Hons) Tourism Management and BA(Hons) Events Management (2016-2019)
- Edinburgh Napier University (UK)
Graduate Teaching Assistant (2011-2016)
RESEARCH AREAS / FIELDS
- Critical tourism and events studies
- Sustainability in tourism and events
- Tourism higher education
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
- Davies, N., Robbins, L., Baxter, D., Viol, M., Graham, A. & Halas, A. (2023) ‘Investigating the recovery of community events in Scotland, post-COVID-19’, International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 14 (4), 537-558, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEFM-03-2023-0024
- Viol, M., Todd, L. & Anastasiadou, C. (2023) ‘The semiotic paradigm for deconstructing event design and meaning’, Event Management, 27 (7), 1063-1079, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/152599523X16847420514728
- Viol, M., Anastasiadou, C., Todd, L. & Theodoraki, E. (2023) ‘Deconstructing commemorative narratives: The anniversaries of the fall of the Berlin Wall’, Leisure Studies, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2023.2215468
- Viol, M. & Southall, C. (2023) ‘A conceptual framework for understanding Western-centrism in transnational education in tourism’, Current Issues in Tourism, 26 (1), 1-5, DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2021.2019203
- Nguyen, B. L. & Viol, M. (2022) ‘Factors influencing decision-making of millennial travellers participating in community-based rural tourism experiences in South-East Asia’, in Stylidis, D., Kim, S. & Kim, S. (eds.) Tourism Marketing in East and South-East Asia, Egham: CABI, 22-38.
- Viol, M. & Southall, C. (2021) ‘A conceptual framework for understanding Western-centrism in transnational education in tourism’, Current Issues in Tourism, 1-5, DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2021.2019203
- Viol, M., Todd, L., Theodoraki, E. & Anastasiadou, C. (2018) ‘The role of iconic-historic commemorative events in event tourism: Insights from the 20th and 25th anniversaries of the fall of the Berlin Wall’, Tourism Management, 69C, 246-262, DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2018.06.018
- Viol, M. (2015) ‘The use of wikis within the virtual learning environment to support collaborative working and their influence on students’ learning experience’, Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, 3 (2), 50-57, DOI: 10.14297/jpaap.v3i2.156
RESEARCH & CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS / EXHIBITIONS
- Bui, N. Y. & Viol, M. (2025)
Bridging the Green Gap: Expert Insights on Drivers and Barriers to Adopting Sustainability Labels in the Vietnamese Hospitality Sector
7th International Conference on Tourism Development in Vietnam
Hue, Vietnam - Nguyen, T. L. & Viol, M. (2025)
The Effectiveness of Heritage Transformation from Visitors’ Perspectives: An Example of Hoa Lo Prison Relic
7th International Conference on Tourism Development in Vietnam
Hue, Vietnam - Viol, M., Postma, D. & McMillan, L. (2025)
AI and creativity in event concept development: Vietnamese event management student perspectives
7th International Conference on Tourism Development in Vietnam
Hue, Vietnam - Romy, A. & Viol, M. (2025)
Exploring Art Tourism in Southeast Asia: A Case Study on Fine Arts and Place Attachment in Vietnam
7th International Conference on Sustainable Globalization
Colombo, Sri Lanka - Kim, C. A., Viol, M. & Russell, K. A. (2024)
Screen to green: The power of K-drama and social media in shaping sustainable tourism behaviors
4th International Joint Conference on Hospitality & Tourism
Nha Trang, Vietnam - Viol, M. & Southall, C. (2023)
Decolonising the tourism curriculum – experiences of faculty in Asian transnational education contexts (keynote address)
3rd Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Conference
Hanoi, Vietnam - Viol, M. & Nguyen B. L. (2023)
Ethical consumers post-COVID-19: Sustainable travel behaviours of young Vietnamese tourists
3rd Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Conference
Hanoi, Vietnam - Viol, M. & Southall, C. (2018)
Western-centrism in internationalised tourism higher education curricula: Perspectives from Vietnam
Critical Tourism Studies Asia Pacific Inaugural Biennial Conference
Yogyakarta, Indonesia - Viol, M., Theodoraki, E., Anastasiadou, C. & Todd, L. (2014)
Researching narratives of collective memory and identity: The case of the commemorative events of the fall of the Berlin Wall
International Conference on Remembering in a Globalizing World
Le Chambon sur Lignon, France - Viol, M., Theodoraki, E. & Anastasiadou, C. (2013)
The impact of commemorative events of the fall of the Berlin Wall on collective memory (re)constructions
Post Conflict, Cultural Heritage and Regional Development: An International Conference
Wageningen, Netherlands
AWARDS & HONOURS
- Best Overall Journal Article Award (2024)
‘The semiotic paradigm for deconstructing event design and meaning’
Event Management Journal - Final Year Research Student Prize for Research Excellence (2015)
Edinburgh Napier University - Interim Research Student Prize for Research Excellence (2014)
Edinburgh Napier University - First Year Research Student Prize for Research Excellence (2012)
Edinburgh Napier University - Best Postgraduate Student (2011)
Association for Tourism in Higher Education (ATHE)
- Share
Read more 
Teaching Fellow
Tran Phuong Thao NgocTran Phuong Thao Ngoc is a design educator and graphic designer specialising in branding and website design. Born in Hue, Vietnam, she earned a full scholarship to British University Vietnam and graduated with first-class honours in Contemporary Creative Practice: Graphic Design in 2021. After discovering her passion for design education and academia, Ngoc remained at […]
Lecturer
Programme Lead - International Business Management
Raised and educated in Chennai, INDIA, Varun completed a bachelor’s degree in Defense & Strategic studies from University of Madras. Following graduation in 2003, he completed a master’s degree in Mass communication & Journalism in 2005. He started his career as a Lecturer from Chennai. Varun completed National Eligibility Test in 2012 to become certified […]
Teaching Fellow
James McGaughranRaised and educated in the United States, James completed a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Colorado (USA) as a double major in Political Science and Environmental Studies. Subsequently, he completed a Master of Strategic Leadership and Communication from Stephens College in Missouri (USA). James then travelled, worked and volunteered in India and Nepal before […]
Associate Lecturer
Ajay PillaiAjay Kumar Pillai is employed as a full-time faculty in British University Vietnam (BUV) and is the programme leader for Finance and Economics. He has an MBA from University of Surrey, UK and holds certificates from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, UK (CIMA) and The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). His main […]
Head of School, School of Computing & Innovative Technologies
Assoc. Prof. Ali Al-DulaimiAn instructor with a Ph.D. and around 25 years of cross-disciplinary experience, with a long list of skills and certificates. Throughout his international career, Assoc. Prof. Al-Dulaimi held different roles: teacher, lead teacher, head of department, lead instructor, research team leader, and Quality & Project manager. Using his solid academic foundations and extensive professional experience, […]
Lecturer
Dr. Aiwa RomyHailing from Kerala, South India, Aiwa completed her Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism from Pazhassiraja College, Calicut University, Kerala in 2014. Following graduation, she moved to Malaysia to pursue her MSc. in Tourism by research from Taylor’s University (2014-2017) , and continued there until the completion of her Doctoral studies in 2021. During her […]
Senior Teaching Fellow
Hoang Bao LongBao Long is a lecturer, researcher, entrepreneur and interaction design expert specializing in game design, interaction design, user experience and psychology. He is also interested in entrepreneurship and startups, applying human-centered design to developing products to solve modern social life problems. Outside of teaching, he also is co-founder of LacBird Co. – a game company […]
Associate Lecturer
Darius PostmaRaised in South Africa, Darius emigrated to the UK in 2003, working in various hospitality management roles. He completed a BTEC Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership through Brighton School of Business and Management in 2014. In 2015 he relocated to Vietnam to manage a 5* Luxury Cruise Boat in Ha Long […]
Lecturer
Dr. SasikumarRaised and educated in India, Sasi completed a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Anna University. Following graduation, in 2011, he completed a Master of Technology in Information Technology. He completed his PhD in 2023, titled “A Novel Machine Learning Paradigm for Pattern Extraction from Multivariate Data Sources Using Big Data Analytics” in […]
Associate Lecturer
Don HickersonDon completed his degree in business administration from Confederation and immediately began working for BC Parks. It was here he fostered a reverence for outdoor recreation, beginning the process of certification from the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides. An unfortunate injury halted his career path resulting in a return to academia. Don subsequently completed an […]
