Ethical Travel and Outdoor Photography
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2PM - 4PM - FREE LOCATION TBC - Image Bleaklow ©Andrew Procter
As residents of the Peak District we are familiar with some of the consequences of tourism, particularly on environmentally sensitive sites. During and since the COVID lockdowns visitor numbers to Britain's mountains have placed increased pressure on our volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams. This increase in visitor numbers has also had an effect on the natural environment, including increased footpath erosion. In addition to these environmental consequences of tourism there are often unanticipated effects on societies and economies worldwide. This workshop will explore an ethical framework for photography in such places, taking some local sites as case studies.
We are pleased to welcome Dr Lauren Seigel, from the University of Greenwich, who has been working with the Royal Photographic Society to develop a Code of Ethics for Travel Photography. She will describe the often unrecognised issues inherent in visiting sensitive environments and cultures. Local examples will be described by members of the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team and some information will be shared on behalf of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.They will describe their experiences at sites popular with photographers and influencers, including the frequently visited superfortress wreck on Bleaklow. They will also be able to provide practical advice for planning photography in such places.
Dr Lauren Seigel
Dr Lauren Seigel
After working in tourism and events management in New York City for nearly a decade, Lauren then shifted her life to Asia to pursue her MSc at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where she graduated with Distinction. Lauren's career in research began while in Hong Kong, with a focus on how social media have transformed experiences into objects of collectible consumption among younger generations. Lauren obtained her PhD at the University of Surrey in the UK with a focus on the behavioural performances and visitor impacts to destinations considered 'Instagrammable'. Lauren's work has been featured in many press outlets including BBC, CNN, The Independent, Deutsche Welle Radio, Business Insider and Yahoo News. Additionally, Lauren is a member of the Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA), the International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT), the Royal Geographical Society and the Royal Photographic Society. Lauren joined the University of Greenwich in September 2021.