Candela del Barrio Rodríguez is a new PhD student in Tourism Studies: Researching cultural heritage in a digital era

At the beginning of September, Candela del Barrio Rodríguez began her doctoral studies at ETOUR at Mid Sweden University. As a doctoral student in the international doctoral program HERITOUR, she will research the interaction between cultural heritage, tourism and digitalization. With Maria Lexhagen, Professor of Tourism Studies, as supervisor, she will investigate how digital technology changes people's encounters with cultural heritage and historical sites.

"I'm interested in what happens when physical and digital cultural heritage experiences become increasingly intertwined. Cultural heritage is no longer only experienced on site, but also through social media, reviews and digital platforms," says Candela.

Experience of tourism from different perspectives

Candela is originally from Spain and has an international background that has been characterized by studies, work and everyday life in several countries. Over the years, she has lived in Australia, France, Croatia and Greece, among other places. Her experiences have contributed to curiosity about how people experience places and meet across cultural boundaries.

"Studying, living and working in different countries has allowed me to experience tourism from many perspectives. My experiences have since given shape to the research questions that interest me today," says Candela. 

Candela has studied tourism, international tourism management, business administration and e-tourism at several European universities. During the educations, a particular interest in how technology and digital platforms affect both destinations and visitors' experiences emerged. Something that particularly contributed to the interest was her master's thesis on how museums contribute to Madrid's image among tourists through online and social media reviews.

"It made me think about how digital communication doesn't just promote cultural attractions. It also affects people's expectations before a visit, how they interpret what they experience, and what memories they take home", says Candela. 

Cultural heritage experiences are shaped in an interaction

In her research in the coming years as a doctoral student, Candela will investigate how cultural heritage experiences are shaped in the interaction between physical environments and digital platforms. Today, many people discover cultural heritage through social media, digital guides, reviews or virtual content even before they visit a place. After the visit, the experience continues online through images, comments and shared experiences.

It is in the meeting between these different environments that Candela sees an exciting and contemporary research question.

"I want to understand how different actors such as visitors, cultural heritage organisations, local communities and digital platforms, together contribute to the meaning and perceived value of cultural heritage", says Candela.

She hopes that her research will contribute to a better understanding of how digital and physical cultural heritage experiences can be connected in meaningful ways and support more inclusive, participatory and sustainable forms of cultural heritage tourism.

"What fascinates me most is that the field is constantly evolving. Digital technology creates new opportunities to engage more people and make cultural heritage more accessible. At the same time, technology raises questions about representation, participation, and which stories are allowed to take place", says Candela. 

Part of HERITOUR's doctoral network

As a doctoral student within HERITOUR, Candela will be part of an international and interdisciplinary network that brings together researchers, doctoral students and external organizations from several countries. The program focuses on issues related to cultural heritage, tourism, digitalization, sustainability, resilience and democratization. For Candela, the international doctoral network is one of the big reasons why she applied to HERITOUR.

"Having studied, worked and lived in different countries, I appreciate the opportunity to meet people with different experiences and perspectives. I look forward to developing as a researcher together with other doctoral students and researchers in the project", she says. 

During her PhD period, Candela will participate in international graduate schools, conferences and internships at cultural heritage organisations, including at Kalmar Castle and Europa Nostra Türkiye.

"For me, conferences and international collaborations are not just a way to present research. They are also a way to learn from others, find new perspectives and build relationships that can lead to future collaborations," says Candela. 

The nature of Jämtland has already made an impression

Östersund's view of Lake Storsjön and the mountains has already made a strong impression on Candela, and she hopes to see the mythical Storsjöodjuret someday.  She says that everyone she has met has been incredibly friendly and helpful, which has made it easier to settle into a new university environment and a new country. The move from Spain to Sweden has meant cultural changes, and she noticed early on that the autumn of Jämtland differs from the autumn at home.

"Of course I knew that Sweden would be colder than Spain, but experiencing it is something else. At the same time, I'm looking forward to what awaits. I've always liked snow and winter sports, especially skiing, so I'm looking forward to experiencing a real Swedish winter," Candela says. 

After her doctoral studies at ETOUR, Candela hopes to continue working at the intersection of research, education and practice. She wants to contribute to research-based knowledge becoming useful for destinations, cultural heritage organizations and people who work to create meaningful experiences.

"I don't see my doctoral studies as an end goal, but as the beginning of a longer journey. I want to continue to ask interesting questions, collaborate internationally and contribute to research making a real difference in society," Candela says. 

A warm welcome Candela and best of luck in your new role as PhD student in Tourism Studies at ETOUR and Mid Sweden University!

Discover HERITOUR!

Are you curious about HERITOUR? The project is a doctoral program and network that focuses on challenges in culture and tourism: hybridization, resilience, sustainability and democratization. HERITOUR aims to train a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers with the skills to work in culture and tourism in Europe. See more and discover HERITOUR here