As an events practitioner, Ruth Dowson developed considerable leadership expertise and has over 25 years' experience in events delivery in the UK, in both public and private sectors, having managed thousands of events, including 11 years managing a venue. In 2007, Ruth moved into teaching events management at the UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Beckett University, and became a level leader, with pastoral responsibility for Level 5 and later for final year students. She led the successful development and delivery of the online Masters Course in Events Management in 2008, as well as being Course Leader 2009-2011 of the BA (Hons) Conference & Exhibition Management, Course Leader of the BA (Hons) Events Management, and HND Events Management 2011-2014. Ruth is a priest in the Church of England, and her PhD studies focus on the role of events in church culture.
Jabar Yaqub is Senior Lecturer in Events Management at Sheffield Hallam University. An enthusiastic individual with several years of marketing and events experience gained in both the public and private sector, he has a proven ability to consistently deliver effective results. Possessing a natural creative flare that will enhance and benefit marketing objectives and projects, he's a strong team player and a leader by example, having the ability to inspire others towards shared goals. He's driven by a personal passion for excellence and professional quality; practicing the ideals of creativity through inspired vision.
Dr Razaq Raj is Principal Lecturer in the Leeds Business School. His research interests include community events, outdoor events, economic impacts, religious tourism, cultural festivals and sustainable tourism, cultural diversity in events management and international tourism. Dr Razaq Raj is the author of the textbooks Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Management: An International Perspective, Event Management: An integrated and practical approach and Event Management and Sustainability. Dr Razaq Raj is also a board member of international journals and academic associations. Editor of International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Editor of International Journal of Islands Research Editor of International Journal of Islamic Tourism Series Editor, CABI Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Book Series