Browsing by Person "Matheson, Catherine M."

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Consuming the backstage: quests for authentic social relations.
(University of Strathclyde, 2004) Matheson, Catherine M.; Baum, T.; Goldsmith, A.; Kokkranikai, J.; Losekoot, E.; MacLellan, R.; Miller, S.; Morrison, A.; Nickson, D.; Taylor, J.; Thompson, K.
Convention and event volunteers
(2008) Goldblatt, Joe J.; Matheson, Catherine M.
Cultural identity and festivity: generating Singapore through citizenship and enterprise in events activity.
(LSA, 2007) Foley, Malcolm; McPherson, Gayle; Matheson, Catherine M.; Aitchison, C.; Pritchard, A.
Culture, authenticity and sport: a study of event motivations at the Ulaanaatar Naadam Festival, Mongolia.
(Elsevier, 2007) Thompson, K.; Matheson, Catherine M.; Cochrane, J.
Festivity and sociability : a study of a Celtic music festival
(Cognizant Communication Corp, 2005-05) Matheson, Catherine M.
This article centers on authenticity and social relations within a commodified Celtic music festival framework. The impact of the tourism commodification process upon environs and culture has generated a veritable plethora of studies, the precursor to this being MacCannell's theorization of the leisure class. In an attempt to explain the meaning and significance of social relations within a festival context, specific attention is paid to Maffesoli's theory of the neo-tribe and emotional community. Drawing upon empirical data from a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews with festival producers and consumers of a Celtic music festival in Scotland, this article challenges Maffesoli's dismissal of the relevance of class grouping and suggests dimensions of the backstage region of festival social space: first, through participating in real culture in an intimate environment; second, by playing an instrument or singing; third, through the strengthening of social networks. It is argued that the tourism commodification process is resisted to attain authentic social relations through the backstage region of social space.
Gender, migration and human trafficking: a study of Vancouver
(Queen Margaret University, 2013-10) Matheson, Catherine M.; Finkel, Rebecca
Globalisation and Singaporean festivals
(International Journal of Event Management Research, 2006) Matheson, Catherine M.; Foley, Malcolm; McPherson, Gayle
This paper seeks to elaborate upon theorisations of the global and their operationalisation within a tourism context by drawing upon empirical research carried out in Singapore. Specifically, Robertson's (1995) glocalisation thesis is drawn to bear upon specific Singaporean tourism policies, namely strategies for events and festivals. The objective of the paper is to offer a rich, deep study of Singapore's tourism and event policy in relation to the impact of globalising influences upon its cultural events, and to elaborate upon both the development of events and festivals within Singapore and the workings of the glocalisation process in this context. The literature accords little space to the relationship between events and festivals and tourism in Singapore and this paper seeks to offer some insights into this under-researched area. This is especially significant given the emphasis upon festivals at a policy level in Singapore and, furthermore, as a means of comprehending the workings of the glocalisation process. Interviews were carried out with six key policy makers in Singapore, and one Director of a private company who delivers events on behalf of the City. We conclude that the prosecution and delivery of policies for tourism generally, and cultural events in particular, in Singapore represent key evidential elements of Robertson's (1995) glocalisation thesis and that these are most evident in the character and development of events. Moreover, it is contended that the relationship between tourism bodies and host communities corroborates claims made by critics of the cultural imperialism thesis and, again, supports Robertson's glocalisation thesis. As Robertson noted, and the findings in the paper demonstrate, globalising influences are not in opposition to the local manifestation of cultural identities in Singapore as there is space for both the local and the global within glocalisation. It is not a relationship whereby culturally imperialistic global forces subsume the local in a culturally homogeneous, unified way.
Landscape of commercial sex before the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games
(2015-01-09) Finkel, Rebecca; Matheson, Catherine M.
In the past decade, debates regarding the sex industries, especially street-level sex work, have become exacerbated by the hosting of international sporting events. Such issues as displacement, safety concerns and financial cuts to social services have contributed to the problematisation of the overlap between mega-event spaces and commercial sex spaces. This fuels the culture of social and physical marginalisation experienced by sex workers and perpetuates the stigma associated with commercial sex. The different approaches that destination cities have implemented to address these aspects of the urban environment reflect the gendered geographies of sex work. This research focuses on the landscape of the sex industries in Vancouver in an effort to illustrate the implications that the preparations for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games had on these particular communities. Qualitative research methods have been conducted in the form of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with city officials, police, former sex workers/current activists, academics, NGOs and community support charities. Gendered discourses concerning sex workers' rights to the city and how policy debates regarding criminalisation of demand/legalisation of sex work are linked to constructions of public space are also analysed. There is scope from the findings of this research to inform events-related social policies with regard to commercial sex, especially as more and more cities and countries bid for and host large-scale events.
Layers of passage: the ritual performance and liminal bleed of the Beltane Fire Festival, Edinburgh
(Routledge, 2014-11) Tinsley, Ross; Matheson, Catherine M.; Frost, Warwick; Laing, Jennifer
Legacy Planning, Regeneration and Events: The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
(2010) Matheson, Catherine M.
This paper focuses upon the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (CWG) legacy proposals regarding the regeneration of the East End. It provides a preliminary pre-event evaluation by examining local progress towards urban regeneration legacies, primarily physical and economic renewal. Following an examination of the events' legacy landscape and problems within the legacy planning process, the paper outlines the socio-economic profile of the locale. Thereafter, the relevance of the CWG to the area is highlighted and an evaluation of the progress towards physical and economic urban regeneration goals is charted. Key risks in the legacy planning process are identified. It is suggested that while there are elements of good practice in local progress towards legacy planning and regeneration, there are community issues that could pose tensions. 2010, LEPU, South Bank University.
Music, Emotion and Authenticity: A Study of Celtic Music Festival Consumers
(2008) Matheson, Catherine M.
This paper centres upon the concept, authenticity, within the context of a Celtic music festival. Increasing attention has been paid to the music-tourism relationship and this paper seeks to elaborate upon the contested meanings and dimensions of Celtic music in the wake of its commodification through tourism. Attention is accorded to the interlocking tensions relating to commodification and authenticity within music and tourism studies and, moreover, the role of emotion within the authenticity and music debate. Drawing upon empirical research conducted at a Celtic music festival (Glasgow, Scotland) comprising in-depth interviews and a questionnaire survey, it is suggested the festival audience attach authenticity to the music on the basis of their emotional interaction with the music. This occurs by the ways in which emotion is evoked within the music and the relationship between music, emotion and audience identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Olympic Panic or Prevention?: Human Trafficking and Global Events
(2010-11) Matheson, Catherine M.; Finkel, Rebecca
Sex Trafficking and the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games: Perceptions and Preventative Measures
(Elsevier, 2013-06) Matheson, Catherine M.; Finkel, Rebecca
Considerable attention has been paid to sex tourism and this paper focuses upon an under-researched area: sex trafficking and sporting mega-events. Drawing upon qualitative research undertaken prior to the Vancouver Games, this paper aims both to examine stakeholder perceptions of the potential linkages between sex trafficking and the event, and to evaluate the preventative trafficking measures as they relate to the event. There is a continuum of perceptions regarding sex trafficking and the event: the Games can be a catalyst for trafficking; it is an uncertain risk; and, the Games are not a potential catalyst for trafficking. In terms of specific preventative measures, it is suggested that strategic planning lacked a centralised approach and there was a gap in the provision of awareness campaigns. Third sector groups led awareness campaigns which were criticised for being sensationalist and unrepresentative and, in addition, tensions in stakeholder relationships impinged upon a constructive partnership. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Sex, Lies and Olympic Games: Case Study of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
(2010-07) Finkel, Rebecca; Matheson, Catherine M.
Sex, Lies and Olympic Games: Case Study of Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010
(2010-09) Finkel, Rebecca; Matheson, Catherine M.
Debates concerning the criminalisation of commercialised sex and the language, policies and practices that should be implemented regarding sex work/prostitution are ongoing in women's studies and feminist geography literature (Agustin, 2008; Doezema, 2001; Farley, 2003; Hubbard, 1998; Kempadoo, 2003). This paper seeks to contextualise these debates in an events management framework. In the past decade, issues regarding the sex industry and violence against women have become exacerbated by the hosting of global sporting events, and destination cities have been implementing different approaches to address these aspects of the urban environment. This research focuses on a case study of Vancouver as host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and examines the situation regarding the debates to legalise sex work. Qualitative research methods have been conducted in the form of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with city officials, police, former sex workers, academics, NGO's and women's charities. The landscape of the sex industry in Vancouver is analysed in an effort to illustrate the impacts that the preparations for the Olympic Games has had on frontline support agencies and harm reduction strategies. It has been found that the already existing divisions between the groups who want prostitution abolished by criminalising demand and those who view sex work as work and, thus, want it legalised have surfaced and become more entrenched due to the media spotlight the Olympics has put on the city. Other factors, such as displacement, safety concerns and financial cuts to services have contributed to the problematisation of the overlap between mega event spaces and commercial sex spaces. References Agustin, L. (2008) Sex and the limits of enlightenment: The irrationality of legal regimes to control prostitution. Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Journal of NSRC, 5 (4), 73-86. Doezema, J. (2001) Ouch! Western feminists 'wounded attachment' to the Third World prostitute. Feminist Review, 67, 16-38. Farley, M. (2003) Prostitution and the invisibility of harm. Women and Therapy, 26 (3-4), 247-280. Hubbard, P. (1998) Sexuality, immorality and the city: Red-light districts and the marginalisation of female street prostitutes. Gender, Place & Culture: A Journal of Feminist Geography, 5 (1), 55-76. Kempadoo, K. (2003) Globalizing sex workers' rights. Canadian Woman Studies, 22 (3, 4), 143-150.
Spiritual attitudes and visitor motivations at the Beltane Fire Festival, Edinburgh
(2014-03-12) Matheson, Catherine M.; Rimmer, Russell; Tinsley, Ross
Outside the peak season for tourism to Edinburgh, Scotland, during the evening of April 30th, visitors attend a festival with ancient Celtic overtones. Frequently, the evening is cold and windy. Our objectives are to: identify motivations for attending the festival; trial questionnaire items on spiritual attitude; and assess whether spirituality might be relevant in assessing visitor intentions. The method of investigation involved exploration and confirmation phases to test structures in distinct subsamples. Further, a strict approach was applied to identify factors that had theoretical value. Spirituality attitude is found to be a factor, as well as the motivations of cultural adventure and escape. Given the nature of the event, the time of year and composition of the audience, encouraging repeat visitation and using this to develop and manage Edinburgh's tourism strategy has potential. Recommendations are made to management. 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
The carnivalesque and event evolution: a study of the Beltane Fire Festival
(Routledge, 2014-10-20) Matheson, Catherine M.; Tinsley, Ross
This paper centres on the Beltane Fire Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The objectives are to: first, identify the stages of the festival's evolution and their respective characteristics; second, distinguish features corresponding to the carnivalesque; and, finally, examine the changes in event evolution, particularly regulatory interventions, and their effect. A qualitative approach comprising interviews with internal and external festival stakeholders was utilised. It is argued that there are three stages in the festival's evolution: revival and early development; development and regulation; and, maturation. The characteristics of these evolutionary stages are identified. As the festival has developed and been subject to increasing regulation, features of the carnivalesque have been reduced.
The heritage of festivities
(Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 2004) Matheson, Catherine M.
As host communities seek to enhance and diversify their attractions base through the creation and development of festivities, there is a need for a conceptual underpinning to the nature and character of these events. This paper offers a theoretical overview of the heritage of festivities by tracing their chronological development, from the medieval to the modern day. Bakhtin's classic theorisation of festivity within traditional and medieval society, which is the precursor to their modern equivalent, is subject to critical examination. With reference to modern events, Rojek's thesis of Modernity 1 and 2 is drawn upon. In addition, key stages in the changing shape of modern festivities are identified and attention is paid to the changing face of tourism demand and the meaning of the tourism commodification process. Finally, the implications of tourism and festivity-based empirical research are noted. It is proposed that tourism processes reflect broader social changes within society and the consumption of festivities offers insights into identity creation, thereby contributing to an understanding of the arena of tourist lifestyles.
Volunteer recruitment and retention: an Australian-USA comparison.
(CABI, 2009) Goldblatt, Joe J.; Matheson, Catherine M.; Baum, T.; Deery, M.; Hanlon, C.; Lockstone, L.; Smith, K.
What brings people to an unconventional festival on a cold night?: An understanding of audience involvement at the Beltane Fire Festival.
(2011) Matheson, Catherine M.; Rimmer, R.; Tinsley, R.