Many scholars of Canadian-Cuban relations have speculated that the connections fostered through tourism are important in understanding the overall relationship, yet this has not been examined in the scholarly literature. This project explores whether Canadian tourists and the Cubans they encounter are engaging in practices of diplomacy and consider the impact of these practices on the broader relationship, including influencing official foreign policies and the bilateral state relationship. The qualitative research will include ethnography and interviews conducted over 4 years.
Impact
The project will advance scholarship in multiple disciplines by furthering the understanding of the diplomatic practices that occur in everyday international interactions, contributing to research in Political Science, IR, and related fields. It will also broaden the limited understanding of tourism in these fields and fill a void in the literature. Both the intertextual analysis of documents and participant observation will elucidate innovative insights into the study of diplomacy.
Student Experience
Student RAs will be involved in the research at all stages of the project and gain invaluable experience in research methods, including interview design and international fieldwork. They will also gain enhanced research, communication, and analytical skills, and training in the novel research methods. Students will accompany the PI on international research trips and they will be expected to author or co-author articles or briefings for scholarly, policy-making, NGO, or wider audiences. The students will also be introduced to the PI’s international network of scholars and will have opportunities to collaborate in other projects within these networks.
Countries
Cuba
Impact
Research, Global Partnerships
Institutional Partner(s)
CEHSEU - Center for Hemispheric and U.S. Studies at the University of Havana.
