Every PhD journey is unique, unfolding at its own pace and shaped by diverse experiences, collaborations, and moments of both confidence and doubt. Despite these differences, many doctoral researchers encounter somewhat similar moments of reflection upon reaching the midpoint of their PhD. For me, this stage represents a significant milestone. At this point, the research focus has become clearer, the main empirical data have been collected, future interventions are planned, and the core academic papers are beginning to take shape.
Working within the field of nature-based tourism (NBT) and outdoor recreation visitor management, this halfway point has highlighted not only the complexity of the research landscape but also the importance of collaboration, continuous skill development, and staying engaged with the academic community beyond the desk-based work. Being part of the VIMAS PhD group has been particularly meaningful, providing a valuable space for discussion, inspiration, and mutual support throughout this journey.
Navigating the complexity of NBT visitor management research
Research on visitor management in nature-based tourism is expanding within a complex, interdisciplinary landscape where social, behavioral, environmental, and managerial dimensions intersect. Understanding visitor behaviors in sensitive natural environments requires integrating perspectives from multiple fields such as tourism studies, culture and anthropology, communication, behavioral psychology, environmental psychology, conservation science, and spatial planning. This complexity makes it clear that simplified explanations or single-solution management approaches are rarely effective. Instead, robust visitor management research must be theoretically grounded, empirically informed, context sensitive, and carefully planned over time. Halfway through my PhD, this complexity no longer feels overwhelming, rather it has become the foundation for a more realistic and impactful research path.
The role of collaboration in shaping the research process
Over time, I have come to understand that trying to do everything alone in your research is neither realistic nor productive. Collaborations with different parties can significantly support and improve your research process. Whether through supervisors, colleagues, fellow academics, field stakeholders, or students, meaningful collaborations enhance both the quality and efficiency of research.
During my first data collection phase, I collaborated with a master’s student (Maia Finnestrand) and fewstakeholders in NBT. The primary aim of this data collection was to better understand visitor behaviour in the Norwegian mountain settings, particularly how outdoor recreationists use digital applications at different stages of their trips. After developing the questionnaire together with my supervisors, we conducted a pilot study involving colleagues and master’s students from the NBT programme at the campus. This process allowed us to identify practical issues and refine the questionnaire before large-scale data collection. This experience reinforced an important lesson: resources and support are often already available within one’s research environment. The key is to recognize these opportunities and to actively plan for collaboration as part of the research process.
For the data collection, it became clear that reaching diverse groups of recreationists who use the Norwegian mountain landscapes was essential. To achieve this, we collaborated with several key stakeholders, including the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT), the Norwegian Hunters and Anglers Association (NJFF), and the Hardangervidda National Park Visitor Centre in Skinnarbu.
While DNT and NJFF members were reached through online distribution, on-site data collection was conducted at the Hardangervidda Visitor Centre together with the master’s student. There, we engaged both local and international visitors and invited them to participate in our survey. These visitors differed widely in their way of travel and motivations. Some travel alone, others in groups; some expressed strong environmental concerns, while others were driven by curiosity to explore what they perceived as untouched nature. Beyond administering the questionnaire, observing visitors and engaging in informal conversations added a valuable and enjoyable dimension to the data collection process. These interactions not only enriched my understanding of visitor behaviour but also made the research experience more engaging and rewarding. This phase of the PhD strongly reinforced that research is rarely an individual endeavor. Rather it is a collective process built on trust, communication, and shared goals.
From theory to practice: Planning field interventions
Field interventions highlight the applied value of PhD research and its potential to inform real-world management decisions. I am particularly looking forward to the upcoming summer fieldwork, which will be carried out in collaboration with the Dovrefjell National Park and Hjerkinn Visitor Centre Wild Reindeer and viewpoint Snøhetta. This next phase represents an important step in translating research insights into practical applications.
Planning field interventions requires careful consideration of multiple factors, including research ethics, feasibility, timing, visitor flows, and ecological sensitivity. Equally important is the need to balance scientific rigour with operational realities on the ground. Field-based research is inherently critical and often involves practical challenges such as weather uncertainty, seasonal restrictions, and logistical constraints. Learning how to manage these challenges effectively or identify suitable alternatives when plans change has become an essential skill that I continue to develop throughout my PhD journey.
The importance of communicating research
Communicating research to diverse audiences ranging from fellow PhD candidates, senior scholars to practitioners, conference participants, and students in guest lectures are highlights of my halfway PhD journey. On one hand, these opportunities allowed me to develop presentation skills, public speaking, and broader communication skills. On the other hand, they provided a platform to inform others about my ongoing research and to articulate why my work matters. Communicating research also creates valuable opportunities for constructive feedback. Questions and discussions arising from these presentations often help to identify blind spots, refine research focus, and strengthen analytical thinking. In this way, communication becomes an integral component of the research process rather than a final step at the end.
Academic conferences, in particular, function as important spaces for networking, collaboration, and intellectual exchange, especially in interdisciplinary fields such as nature-based tourism visitor management. These experiences underline that academic success extends beyond publishing research articles, it also involves active engagement with the research community around you.
Developing skills through training and PhD courses
Structured master’s and PhD-level courses have played a crucial role in building both academic and applied competencies over time. I have taken part in a range of courses and training activities, such as science communication, research ethics in social sciences, academic writing, nature-based tourism visitor management training schools (VIMAS), statistics courses, and grant writing which have contributed directly to strengthening the quality, credibility, and feasibility of my research. Many of these courses have fostered critical thinking, methodological transparency, and confidence in the knowledge that are essential for conducting responsible and impactful research. At the halfway point of my PhD, the value of these trainings has become increasingly evident, as you start developing skills as early as possible, which directly support key tasks such as data analysis, academic writing, and the design of field interventions.
The road ahead: Second half of the PhD
Reflecting on the halfway point of my PhD confirms that research in nature-based tourism and visitor management is inherently complex, collaborative, and continuously evolving. The next phase of my doctoral journey will focus on implementing field-based interventions and on bringing together diverse work into academic papers that also offer practical insights for visitor management and conservation.
This journey is not solely about investigating a specific research topic. It is equally about developing knowledge across multiple domains, managing time and responsibilities, acquiring new skill sets, building professional connections, navigating challenges, and learning to solve problems along the way. Together, these experiences contribute to personal and professional growth while balancing academic commitments with life beyond research. I look forward with curiosity and motivation to see the various components of my PhD come together and translate into meaningful research contributions to the nature-based tourism visitor management field.