Dr Laura Wells

Overview

Dr Laura Wells is a Lecturer in international hospitality management (marketing) in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Laura studied Consumer Studies at Ulster University (2003) and completed her PhD in 2006. Working alongside a major UK food retailer, her PhD research explored the power of brand identity and customer segmentation in food marketing communication.

Following her PhD completion, Laura managed and delivered a diverse sponsorship and events portfolio for a leading financial institution for six years. During this time, she worked across several high profile arts, sports and business sponsorships. Upon her recent return to academia, she has successfully completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Laura’s main research interests include hospitality marketing, consumer behaviour and sponsorship. Her current research project is investigating the role of big data in hospitality marketing.

Laura is also engaged with pedagogic research and is presently part of a cross-departmental research project focusing on undergraduate research skills.

Her main teaching responsibilities at undergraduate level include Services Marketing Management, Marketing for Services and Management. While at postgraduate level, Laura delivers Strategic Marketing and Bidding for Success. She works alongside a number of hospitality companies, facilitating workshops which allow students to generate new marketing ideas and develop business solutions to current industry projects. One example is the naming of the Baltic Bar, part of the recently opened Bullitt Hotel owned by the Beannchor Group. In addition, Laura is part of the teaching team who work with the Hastings Hotel Group to deliver a Management Ambassador Programme.