Travelwise

Travelwise

The Impactful Travel Quest: Preparing for an Immersive Cultural Conference Experience in Japan

April 4, 2025 0

Come along with academic researcher Nick Wise as he prepares for his first visit to Japan – a culture he has studied academically for years. His journey will include a deep dive into the traditions of rice and tea – symbols of nourishment, harmony, and connection in Japanese society; business etiquette, and how it can ensure meaningful professional interactions, and how he plans to embrace immersive travel, by engaging authentically with local people, traditions, and communities. […]

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Exploration is Curiosity Put into Action

December 4, 2024 0

Ready to embark on a wild adventure that blurs the lines between art and research? Join qualitative market researcher Natalia Tafur as she dives into the weird and wonderful world of Meow Wolf, where surprises lurk around every corner and creativity knows no bounds. From navigating trippy rooms to discovering hidden treasures, her experience offers unexpected lessons for qualitative researchers—like embracing the unknown and bringing a thought partner along for the ride. With stories of scavenger hunts, offbeat discoveries, and a sprinkle of storytelling magic, this article explores how a quirky art exhibit can transform how you think about qualitative research. […]

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Explore Philadelphia: A Treasure Trove of History, Culture, and Culinary Delights – Site of the QRCA Annual Conference in February 2025

September 11, 2024 0

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is a place where America’s rich history and modern innovation collide. As the host city for the next QRCA Annual Conference in February 2025, Philly promises an experience like no other. From the cobblestone streets of the historic district to the vibrant energy of Center City, attendees can immerse themselves in a city that has shaped the nation while embracing its dynamic culinary scene, expansive art culture, and passionate sports fans. Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of revolutionaries or indulging in a world-class cheesesteak, Philadelphia offers something for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome you! […]

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New Experiences at the Ole Ball Game from a Researcher’s Perspective

June 12, 2024 0

The 4 “E”s of the Experience economy—Entertainment, Escapism, aEsthetics, and Entertainment—are all found within the great American pastime of baseball. In this article, human geographer and baseball fan Nick Wise discusses the range of experiences you can observe at baseball games this summer by using the 4 E’s framework, inspiring qualitative researchers to look differently at place in our work. […]

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What I Learned from Guided Tours… as a Traveler and as a Researcher

March 9, 2024 0

In this travel reflection, Oana Popa Rengle reevaluates guided tours based on tours she recently took in Sicily and Portugal, drawing parallels between her experiences and qualitative research. Read how the exploration of a unique “spleen sandwich” in Palermo, a visit to a family-owned salt pan in Trapani, and touring Lisbon with locals inspired her approach to qualitative research. […]

Art installation at Civic Space Park in Phoenix Arizona by Artist Janet Echelman
Travelwise

Feeling SmART by Slowing Down

December 6, 2023 0

The life of a qualitative researcher often has us flying in and out to new cities with little regard for the places we visit when conducting research. Nick Wise reminds us that “therapeutic recreation”—like absorbing the public art landscape on our travels—can help us transition from a mind that is always full, to an outlook that is more mindful of what else is out there. […]

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Home 2 Home: Travel, Research, and My Hybrid Identity

June 21, 2023 0

Professor Weronika Kusek knows firsthand that while one’s physical home may change, we carry our identity wherever we go. A migrant from Poland to the United States, she discusses the complexities of living between two countries, with teaching commitments in one and extended family in another, all while conducting qualitative research. Her current work focuses on migrants in Poland, specifically on Ukrainian laborers moving into Poland. This research is led by current global events, as many Ukrainians come to Poland due to the refugee crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. […]

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Perceptions of Place, According to the Media…

March 22, 2023 0

An academic researcher, Nick Wise looks at the media with a critical eye, especially when it comes to the places he visits for fun and for his research. Media analysis is important to Nick’s research so that he can understand the way news media coverage impacts tourism. The media broadcasts stories of a place’s heritage or current events and this plays a role in people’s imaginations about a place, their willingness to travel—and for those who go, their perceptions of what they’re seeing and hearing. […]

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Let’s Visit Charlotte!

January 4, 2023 0

Our next annual QRCA conference will be in Charlotte, North Carolina in March. In this article Chris Hauck familiarizes you with the attractions, food, and entertainment in Charlotte, so you can plan ahead for a productive and fun week in the Queen City. […]