Skip to content | Change text size
 

60 seconds with … Dr Keir Reeves

3 June 2009

Dr Keir Reeves
 

Name: Dr Keir Reeves
Position: Monash Research Fellow
Faculty: Business and Economics/Arts

How long have you been with Monash?

Since mid-January 2009.

Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?

Before heading out the South-Eastern Freeway to Monash University I was an Australian Research Council (ARC) industry postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Melbourne. Prior to that I briefly lectured in Australian history and heritage studies at in the School of Historical Studies at Melbourne.

What has been the highlight of your career in research?

It's a toss-up between winning a Monash fellowship and joining the Tourism Research Unit and the National Centre for Australian Studies, teaching a really memorable honours seminar in 2006, being a member of some successful ARC projects and being a contributing editor to a couple of quality publications.

What challenges are ahead for you this year?

Like all new appointees the first year is a transitional year, so the challenges are really about establishing the architecture of the research project, learning more about the Berwick campus, making personal and professional connections and sometimes explaining what my role as a research-intensive fellow entails.

What is your research about?

My five-year research project is called "Heritage tourism and the historical landscapes of Australia, Asia and the Pacific" the outcome of which will be a framework for managing heritage tourism. The University has clearly signalled its intent to further enhance its research profile so it's a great time to be at Monash.

What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

Developing economic, cultural and tourism projects in collaboration with researchers who have a wide range of interests. It's also interesting being involved in regional, state and to a lesser extent, international heritage debates.

What is your favourite destination and why?

Luang Prabang in Laos. Situated on the Mekong River, it really is an amazing UNESCO world heritage city that will hopefully remain that way if a balance between heritage conservation and commercial development can be found. Closer to home, I have a soft spot for Castlemaine as it is where I spent some of my youth.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Academically it was threefold: finish my thesis within three and half years, publish frequently and always work as a collaborative researcher and teacher.

What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?

That I'm a member of the Bugatti Club of Australia and that as a child I lived not far from the old Carlton Football Ground and have supported the mighty Blues since I was a little boy.

Archive of 60 seconds with...