Dr Maarja Kaaristo

Portrait photo of Maarja Kaaristo

Dr Maarja Kaaristo

Senior Lecturer in Tourism Mobilities and Marketing

My profile

Biography

Who I am

I have published mainly on inland waterways, (rural) tourism, water mobilities, transport tourism, place-making, place management, tourism practices, materialities, and qualitative research methods. I am the department representative in ManMet Faculty of Business and Law Research Ethics and Governance Committee.

Editorial Board membership

I serve as an Associate Editor of Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality and the Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics. I am a member of the editorial board of the book series Bibliotheca Anthropologica of Tallinn University Press.

Membership of professional associations

  • European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA)
  • Société Internationale d’Ethnologie et de Folklore (SIEF)
  • Institute of Place Management
  • Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (CHRIE)
  • UK Higher Education Academy

Expert reviewer for external funding bodies

Expert reviewer for the Archimedes Foundation (Estonia) study and research abroad scholarships for PGRs and ECRs.

Community, charity and NGO links

Committee member of the Inland Waterways Association Manchester Branch

Get in touch

Business School

Projects

2022-23 Business Transformations Research Centre Seed Corn Grant for the project “Co-creating a sense of place: role of waterways in sustainable town centre revitalisation”

Teaching

I co-lead the department’s final year undergraduate modules Research Project and Understanding the Customer Experience and teach on the Faculty’s doctoral programme module Reviewing Literature.

Supervision

Currently supervising: Afroditi Kazakou, PhD Researcher, “Exploring perceived and hidden innovation in wine-tourism stakeholder networks.”

I have supervised undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations on tourist experience and motivation, rural tourism, adventure tourism (including backpacking, hiking and mountain climbing), popular culture and tourism, sense of place, human-animal relationships, consumer behaviour, and marketing.

I am interested in supervising PhD dissertations on (tourism) mobilities, tourism transport, multi-modal and micromobilities, space and place, placemaking, practice theory, waterways, governing mobilities, tourist practices, and tourist experiences.

Research outputs

My main research interests include canals and rivers in the UK, (rural) tourism, water tourism, mobilities, material culture, practice theory, mobility skills, sensory experiences, transport tourism, placemaking, place management, spatial governance and qualitative research methodologies. I am the co-editor of the 2024 Special Issue of The Geographical Journal, ‘Geographies of Inland Waterscapes’ with Francesco Visentin and the 2020 special issue of International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, ‘Travelling and travelled landscapes: Imaginations, Politics, and Mobilities of Tourism’ with Steven Rhoden. Some of my recent publications include ‘Governing mobilities on the UK canal network’, ‘Tourist skills’, ‘Absence as an affordance’, ‘Everyday power dynamics and hierarchies in qualitative research’, ‘Pacemaking and placemaking on the UK canals’ and ‘Towards liminal balance: Unpacking the UK’s urban canal space.’ 

  • Books (authored/edited/special issues)

    Annist, A., Kaaristo, M. (2017) Sotsiaal- ja kultuuriantropoloogia. Õpik kõrgkoolidele. (An Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology). Tallinn: Tallinn University Press.

  • Chapters in books

    Kaaristo, M. (2020) 'Rhythm and pace: the diurnal aspects of leisure mobilities on the UK canals and rivers.' In Amit, V., Salazar, N.B. (ed.) Pacing Mobilities: timing, intensity, tempo and duration of human movements. Berghahn Books, pp. 59-78.

    Kaaristo, M. (2020) 'Waterway: A liquid place.' The Routledge Handbook of Place. pp. 168-176.

    Kaaristo, M., Rhoden, S. (2018) 'Everyday life and water tourism mobilities: mundane aspects of canal travel.' Proximity and Intraregional Aspects of Tourism. Routledge, pp. 75-92.

    Kaaristo, M. (2018) 'Engaging With The Hosts and Guests: Some Methodological Reflections on the Anthropology of Tourism.' In Owsianowska, S., Banaszkiewicz, M. (ed.) After the Iron Curtain: Anthropology of Tourism in Central and Eastern Europe. Rowman & Littlefield,

    Bardone, E., Kaaristo, M. (2014) 'Staging Sensescapes for Rural Experiences in Estonian Farm Tourism Enterprises.' In Dashper, K. (ed.) Rural Tourism: An International Perspective. Newcastle Upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp. 98-115.

  • Reports

    Allen, D., Spyriadis, T., Kaaristo, M. (2019) Manchester Cathedral Development Project: market research report.

  • Journal articles

    Visentin, F., Kaaristo, M. (2024) 'Geographies of inland waterscapes: thinking with watery places.' Geographical Journal, 190(2)

    Kaaristo, M., Medway, D., Rhoden, S., Burton, J., Bruce, H. (2024) 'Towards liminal balance: Unpacking the UK's urban canal space.' Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers,

    Mertena, I., Kaaristo, M. (2024) 'Understanding train tourism mobilities: a practice theories perspective.' Mobilities, pp. 1-17.

    Kaaristo, M. (2023) 'Pacemaking and placemaking on the UK canals.' Geographical Journal,

    Kaaristo, M., Visentin, F. (2022) 'Absence as an affordance: thinking with(out) water on the inland waterways.' Cultural Geographies, 30(1)

    Mertena, I., Kaaristo, M., Edensor, T. (2022) 'Tourist skills.' Annals of Tourism Research, 94pp. 103387-103387.

    Kaaristo, M. (2022) 'Everyday power dynamics and hierarchies in qualitative research: the role of humour in the field.' Qualitative Research, 22(5) pp. 743-760.

    Kaaristo, M. (2021) 'Book review: Dwelling in Political Landscapes: Contemporary Anthropological Perspectives.' Anthropological Journal of European Cultures, 30(1) pp. 169-171.

    Kaaristo, M., Medway, D., Burton, J., Rhoden, S., Bruce, H.L. (2020) 'Governing mobilities on the UK canal network.' Mobilities, 15(6) pp. 844-861.

    Kaaristo, M., Rhoden, S. (2020) 'Travelling and travelled landscapes: imaginations, politics and mobilities of tourism: introduction to the special issue.' International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 14(3) pp. 301-305.

    Rhoden, S., Kaaristo, M. (2020) 'Mobile landscapes and transport tourism: the visual experience of mobility during cruises and coach tours.' International Journal of Culture, Tourism, and Hospitality Research, 14(3)

    Rhoden, S., Kaaristo, M. (2020) 'Liquidness: Conceptualising water within boating tourism.' Annals of Tourism Research, 81pp. 102854-102854.

    Bowles, B.O.L., Kaaristo, M., Caf, N.R. (2019) 'Dwelling on and with water - materialities, (im)mobilities and meanings: Introduction to the special issue.' Anthropological Notebooks, 25(2) pp. 5-12.

    Kaaristo, M., Rhoden, S. (2017) 'Everyday life and water tourism mobilities: mundane aspects of canal travel.' Tourism Geographies, 19(1) pp. 78-95.

    Kaaristo, M. (2016) 'Book review. Researching Hospitality and Tourism.' Hospitality and Society, 6(3) pp. 299-301.

    Kaaristo, M. (2015) 'Tourism and the Power of Otherness: Seductions of Difference.' HOSPITALITY & SOCIETY, 5(1) pp. 98-100.

    Kaaristo, M. (2014) 'Value of silence: Mediating aural environments in Estonian rural tourism.' Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 12(3) pp. 267-279.

    Annist, A., Kaaristo, M. (2013) 'Studying Home Fields: Encounters of Ethnology and Anthropology in Estonia.' Journal of Baltic Studies, 44(2) pp. 121-151.

    Kaaristo, M., Järv, R. (2012) 'Our clock moves at a different pace: The timescapes of identity in Estonian rural tourism.' Folklore (Estonia), 51pp. 1-24.

    Vosu, E., Kaaristo, M. (2009) 'An Ecological Approach to Contemporary Rural Identities: The Cases of Tourism Farms in South-East Estonia.' Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics, 3(1) pp. 73-94.

  • Non-peer reviewed articles / reviews

    Kaaristo, M. (2018) Book review: Waterways and the cultural landscape.

    Kaaristo, M. (2015) Book Review: Tourism and the Power of Otherness. Seductions of Difference.

  • Conference papers

    Kaaristo, M., Visentin, F. (2021) 'Absence as an affordance? RGS-IBG Annual International Conference.' In Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographies Annual International Conference,. London, 31/8/2021 - 4/9/2021.

    Kaaristo, M. (2020) 'Inland waterways: Liquid landscapes of mobility. 'Unruly landscapes: mobility, transience and transformation.' Virtual colloquium, Lancaster University and Universita degli Studi di Padova.' In Unruly landscapes: mobility, transience and transformation. Lancaster University and Universita degli Studi di Padova, 18/6/2020 - 19/6/2020.

    Kaaristo, M., Medway, D., Rhoden, S., Burton, J., Bruce, H. (2019) 'Co-operation and Conflict on the Canal: Hydrosocial Convivialities on the Inland Waterways. 14th Conference of the European Sociological Association 'Europe and Beyond: Boundaries, Barriers and Belonging'.' In 14th Conference of the European Sociological Association 'Europe and Beyond: Boundaries, Barriers and Belonging'. Manchester, United Kingdom, 20/8/2019 - 23/8/2019.

    Kaaristo, M., Medway, D., Rhoden, S., Burton, J., Bruce, H. (2019) 'Co-operation and Conflict on the Canal: Hydrosocial Convivialities on the Inland Waterways. 14th Conference of the European Sociological Association (ESA).' In 14th Conference of the European Sociological Association. Europe and Beyond: Boundaries, Barriers and Belonging. Manchester, 20/8/2019 - 23/8/2019.

    Kaaristo, M. (2019) 'Spaces of (constructed?) nature: Canal tourism in the UK. ATLAS II Special Interest Group ‘Space, Place, Mobilities in Tourism’ seminar, University of Derby.' In ATLAS II Special Interest Group ‘Space, Place, Mobilities in Tourism’ seminar, Spaces of nature, places of nature: Exploring the tourism encounter with nature. University of Derby, Buxton, UK, 3/6/2019 -

    Kaaristo, M., Visentin, F. (2019) 'Waterscape as a hybrid space of engagement: reconceptualising waterways through affordance theory.' In SIEF (Société Internationale d'Ethnologie et de Folklore) 14th International Congress. Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 14/4/2019 - 17/4/2019.

    Rhoden, S., Kaaristo, M. (2018) 'Embodied experiences of water transport tourism. EuroCHRIE Conference 2018.' In EuroCHRIE (The Hospitality and Tourism Educators) Conference 2018. Dublin, Ireland, 7/11/2018 - 9/11/2018.

    Rhoden, S., Kaaristo, M. (2018) 'Travelling waterscapes: A materialities perspective on water tourism.' In Royal Geographical Society with IBG Annual International Conference 2018. Cardiff University, 28/8/2018 - 31/8/2018.

    Kaaristo, M. (2018) 'Joking methodologies: the importance of humour in participatory research.' In Royal Geographical Society with IBG Annual International Conference 2018. Cardiff University, 28/8/2018 - 31/8/2018.

    Kaaristo, M. (2018) 'Pacing socio-natural water mobilities: Rhythmanalysis of canal boating in the UK. 15th EASA biennial conference 'Staying, Moving, Settling'.' In 15th EASA (European Association of Social Anthropologists) biennial conference 'Staying, Moving, Settling'. Stockholm University, 14/8/2018 - 17/8/2018.

    Bruce, H., Burton, J., Kaaristo, M., Medway, D., Rhoden, S. (2018) 'Stop Messing About on the River! Value Co-Destruction in a Collective Service Context.' In The First Global Conference on Creating Value. De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, 23/5/2018 - 24/5/2018.

    Kaaristo, M. (2017) 'Canals as Leisurescape: Boating Through Time in North-West England. RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2017, London.' In RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2017. London, 29/8/2017 - 1/9/2017.

    Mertena, I., Kaaristo, M., Rhoden, S. (2017) 'The Skills of Tourism.' In 2nd STEHM Research & Knowledge Exchange Day 2017. Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, 24/7/2017 - 24/7/2017.

    Kaaristo, M. (2016) 'Producing the Sensory Canalscape: Embodied Experiences in England's Waterways Tourism.' In Tourism, Hospitality and Events Research Cluster Research and Knowledge Exchange Away Day. Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom, 27/7/2016 - 27/7/2016.

    Kaaristo, M. (2016) 'Sensory Experiences and Everyday Life in Canal Tourism.' In 3rd Waterways Research Network Meeting. National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, United Kingdom, 14/7/2016 - 14/7/2016.

    Kaaristo, M., Rhoden, S.J. (2016) 'Producing the canalscape: engaging with mobile materialities in UK's inland waterways tourism. 14th EASA Biennial Conference The Anthropological legacies and human features.' In the Anthropological legacies and human features: 14th EASA Biennial Conference. Milan, Italy, 20/7/2016 - 23/7/2016.

    Kaaristo, M. (2016) 'The Sensory Canalscape: Embodied Tourist Experiences of England's Waterways.' In TouRNet Tourism Research Network PhD/ECR Symposium. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, 19/4/2016 - 19/4/2016.

    Kaaristo, M. (2016) 'Everyday Practices in Proximate Tourism Spaces: The Gustatory Experiences on England's Canals.' In RGS-IBG Postgraduate Forum Mid-Term Conference. Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom, 17/3/2016 - 18/3/2016.

    Kaaristo, M., Rhoden, S.J. (2015) 'The everyday life, proximities and multi-modal experiences of England’s canalscapes.' In Royal Geographical Society with IBG Annual Conference. Exeter, 1/1/2015 - 1/1/2015.

    Kaaristo, M., Bardone, E. (2014) 'Localising Experience Economy in the Post-Socialist Countryside: Guided Explorations of Body and Soul in Rural Estonia.' In European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA) 13th Biannual Conference 'Collaboration, Intimacy and Revolution: Innovation and Continuity in an Interconnected World. Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia, 31/7/2014 - 3/8/2014.

    Kaaristo, M. (2013) 'Making Modern Rurality: The 'Animalscape' of Estonian Tourism Farms.' In SIEF (Societe Internationale d'Ethnologie et de Folklore) 11th International Congress 'Circulation'. University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia, 30/6/2013 - 4/7/2013.

    Kaaristo, M., Rennu, M. (2013) 'Crafting Identity and Cultural Heritage in Avinurme, North-East Estonia.' In Landscape, Place, Locality and Space: Ethnological Symposium. Abo Akedemi University/University of Turku, Turku, Finland, 5/6/2013 - 8/6/2013.

    Kaaristo, M. (2013) 'Non-Events in Tourism: The Cultural Memory of Everyday Life.' In CCCS Conference 'Cultural Memory'. The Centre for Culture and Cultural Studies, Skopje, Macedonia, 5/6/2013 - 5/6/2013.

    Kaaristo, M. (2012) 'The Peace and Quiet: Mediating Aural Environments in Estonian Rural Tourism - Regimes of Value in Tourism: Concepts, Politics and Practices.' In TOCOCU 2nd Biannual Conference. Institute Kurt Bosch, Sion, Switzerland, 2/7/2012 - 4/7/2012.

    Kaaristo, M. (2011) 'The Materiality of Tourism: Expressing Identity, Making Souvenirs.' In IV Autumn Conference of Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory - Things in Culture, Culture in Things. Tartu, Estonia, 20/10/2011 - 22/10/2011.

    Kaaristo, M., Jarv, R. (2011) 'Our Clock Moves at a Different Pace: The Timescapes of Identity in Estonian Rural Tourism.' In Finnish Anthropology Conference 2011 - Dynamic Anthropology: Tensions Between Theory and Practice. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, 5/10/2011 - 7/10/2011.

    Kaaristo, M. (2010) 'Temporality and Tourist Experience: The Flux of Journey.' In III Autumn Conference - Time in Culture: Mediation and Representation of Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory. Tartu, Estonia, 28/10/2010 - 30/10/2010.

    Kaaristo, M. (2009) 'Sensescapes in Farm Tourism: Providing Experiences in South-Estonian Countryside.' In Emotion in Motion, The Passions of Tourism, Travel and Movement. Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom, 4/7/2009 - 7/7/2009.

Press and media

Media appearances or involvement

Estonian Public Broadcasting on our research on tourist skills in 2022.

Tameside Radio on the volunteer event ASHTAC50 on the Ashton Canal in March 2022.

Profile on my voluntary work for Inland Waterways Association in the magazine Waterways, Spring 2020 (p. 28).

Ian Wylie’s 2019 article about Manchester’s canals in The Guardian.