All systems go for international Masterclass

The Institute of Transport and Tourism (ITT) are set to host a prestigious international Masterclass.

Students from across our Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management programmes will work with their peers from a number of European universities to engage in real world research which will provide project partners with marketing solutions.

Visitors from RWTH Aachen University, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and Plymouth University will attend the two-day event which takes place at a variety of locations across Lancashire, including UCLan's Media Innovation Studio.

The Masterclass combines expertise in transport planning and policy, tourism, marketing and economic regeneration with the vibrancy and imagination of students from a mix of disciplines, to explore and develop ideas for marketing local and regional rail.

Citizens' Rail, which has part-funded the Masterclass, is a three and a half year project funded by the INTERREG programme aimed at enhancing local and regional rail and encouraging citizens across Northern Europe to become more involved in their local rail services.

ITT Director Dr Richard Weston is overseeing organisation of the event. He said: "The Masterclass is a unique part of the Citizens' Rail project, as it offers the chance for university partners in the project to draw from their students' knowledge and understanding, whilst also providing dissemination of the good work the project continues to bring to the public."

The event features a public lecture by Professor Martina Fromhold-Eisebith from RWTH Aachen University, who is visiting UCLan as part of the University's Distinguished Visitor Programme.

The lecture will focus on regional challenges which have recently gained major attention in academic thinking and conceptualization in economic geography, particularly relating to aspects of regional economic and socio-economic sustainability.

Nick Davies, a Researcher in ITT, is also helping coordinate the event. He commented: "This is a fantastic opportunity for students to contribute to the Citizens' Rail project, and collaborate with other students and practitioners from Europe. In terms of their future careers, they will gain valuable experience of the industry."

The Masterclass takes on 24th & 25th March. For more information about Professor Fromhold-Eisebith's lecture please click here.