Jo-Anne Lester

Within the broad context of space, place and culture I have a particular interest in the embodied and performative dynamics of human experience and behaviour.  Underpinned by a longstanding interest and intellectual engagement with the ‘architecture’ of space, my focus encompasses the material, virtual and simulate spaces associated with everyday life. For example, the sea and the coast, cruise ships, popular film, photography, art, tourism and leisure.  I am interested in how people engage with, imagine and adapt to such landscapes and spaces.  

Prior to entering academia, I gained considerable industry experience in tour operating and working on cruise ships. This underpins my continued interest in the cruise sector and cruise ships as bounded and transient spaces for work and leisure.

My own PhD investigated the architecture of cruise ship space through the medium of popular film. In so doing it acknowledged the multisensory nature of film and how the liminal realm of film space is experienced in and through the imagination, memory and emotion.

In addition to the above I continue to be interested in the power of discourse generally and specifically, the critical discourse highlighting the consequential socio-cultural impacts of cruise ships and their associated activities on coastal regions and destinations.

Core areas of activity, including the areas for PhD supervision are:

The visual and visuality

Embodiment and the senses

Architecture and materiality

The coast / seascapes

Maritime heritage

Cruise ships and cruise liners