Professor Richardson obtained his PhD from Griffith University, Australia and has over 15 years of experience in the higher education sector. Prior to his current role with TUA has held several senior roles at leading institutions worldwide including Executive Dean, at the Education Centre of Australia, acting Managing Director and Executive Dean at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, Academic Director for RMIT University in Singapore, Director of Academic Affairs at Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School and Associate Dean Research and Development at Taylor’s University, Malaysia. He is a Fellow of the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE) and has been a board member of several global education associations.

Professor Richardson also has extensive tourism and hospitality industry experience, having worked in the industry for more than 10 years. During this period, he worked in hotels, tourism and event companies, as well as the travel industry. Professor Richardson is the author of more than 50 publications in leading tourism and hospitality journals and conference proceedings and is a member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Panel of Tourism Experts and a Fellow of The International Centre for Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education.

• Tourism and Hospitality Education
• Human Resources in Tourism and Hospitality
• Eco-Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Development
• Hotel Management
• Sport and Event Tourism
• Special Interest Tourism (Adventure, Film, Wine Tourism etc.)