International Day of Women and Girls in Science | CETT Highlights Female Research Talent
CETT joins the commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by showcasing academic projects led by the center's female researchers.
On 11th February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated, an initiative promoted by the United Nations to highlight the key role of women in the generation of scientific knowledge and to encourage research vocations among younger generations. At CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality and Gastronomy, research led by women makes a significant contribution to advancing knowledge in the fields of tourism, hospitality and gastronomy.
On the occasion of this commemoration, we highlight four recent research projects carried out by CETT researchers that exemplify the social, academic and professional impact of research with a transformative perspective.
Spaces of Memory as Environments for Dialogue and a Culture of Peace
From the Research Group in Tourism, Culture and Territory (TURCiT), Dr. Laia Encinar-Prat and researcher Núria Guitart-Casalderrey have published the article “Cocreando visitas guiadas a espacios de memoria mediante la hot interpretation: el caso del Museo Memorial del Exilio”, together with Dr. Jordi Arcos-Pumarola, in the journal Cuadernos de Sociomuseología (Q4/SJR) in June 2025.
The research analyzes how spaces of memory can become environments for dialogue and understanding through guided visits co-created with people who have experienced recent exile, applying cultural mediation strategies inspired by hot interpretation theory. The study highlights the value of personal testimonies, audiovisual resources and contextualized explanations in fostering meaningful and empathetic heritage experiences. This work represents a significant contribution to the field of critical museology and the construction of a culture of peace.
This study is the result of a competitive research project carried out during the 2023–2024 academic year, funded by the Catalan International Institute for Peace (ICIP), in which Dr. Oriol Anguera, Dr. Marta Salvador and researcher Nur Abellan also participated.
You can read the full article here.
The Imagery of Volunteer Tourism on Social Media
Also within the TURCiT research group, noteworthy research has been conducted by Dr. Marta Salvador-Almela with the article “Unveiling the imagery of volunteer tourism: an Instagram exploratory approach.” This paper, published in April 2025 in the journal Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality (Q1/SJR), was co-authored with Dr. Jordi Arcos and Dr. Estela Marine and is part of the Special Issue Visual Turn in Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure Studies.
The study explores the imagery of volunteer tourism on Instagram through a content analysis of 1,282 posts. In addition to identifying the main agents involved in shaping this imagery, the research delves into the connotative meaning of these representations through a semiotic analysis.
The findings reveal different forms of representation, highlighting collective activities in the Global South and a predominantly positive narrative that may influence volunteers’ motivations and behavior. The conclusions stress the need to promote these images ethically and to align narratives with the altruistic values of volunteer tourism.
You can read the full article here.
Hotel Staff Personality and Guest Satisfaction
From the Research Group in Tourism Accommodation and Food & Beverage (GRATiR), Dr. Núria Louzao has led the article “Personality meets satisfaction: a journey into the impact of hotel staff traits on guest experiences”, published in the journal Investigaciones Turísticas (Q3/SJR) in January 2026.
This study analyzes how hotel staff personality traits influence guest satisfaction. The research was conducted within the framework of the Hotel Universitari Alimara and was carried out by students Neus Mendoza and Claudia Heras under the supervision of Dr. Louzao.
Combining psychological models such as the Big Five with perceived service quality models such as SERVQUAL, the research focused on the reception staff of a four-star hotel in Barcelona. The methodology included surveys administered to both staff and guests, as well as interviews with psychology experts. The results show that traits such as agreeableness and openness have a direct impact on the guest experience, providing a replicable model to enhance talent management and optimize service quality in the hospitality sector.
You can read the full article here.
Gastronomic Innovation with Fresh Spirulina and Organic Production
From the Research Group in Culinary Arts and Gastronomy (GRCiG), Dr. Helena Martín has published the article “Functional and gastronomic comparison of fresh and dehydrated Spirulina ice creams” in the journal International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science (Q1/SJR) in December 2025.
This research, conducted together with researchers Òscar Boronat, Juan Tolosana, Anna Pla, Ingrid Aguiló-Aguayo, Maribel Abadias and Joan Solé, presents the results of the project “Organic production of spirulina in Catalonia and applications in haute cuisine” (ARP220/22/000006), developed in collaboration with the company Blauver and IRTA Fruitcentre.
The study highlights the potential of fresh spirulina compared to dehydrated formats, combining strong functional properties with greater sensory acceptance. It analyzes the gastronomic possibilities of this ingredient and demonstrates its viability through innovative culinary applications, such as the development of fresh spirulina ice cream. The findings confirm the potential of this ingredient as a sustainable and innovative product, with real applications in haute cuisine and high levels of consumer acceptance.
You can read the full article here.
Commitment to Equality and Transformative Knowledge
Through these research projects, CETT reaffirms its commitment to promoting female talent in research and to generating knowledge that contributes to transforming the tourism, hospitality and gastronomy sectors from an innovative, critical and socially responsible perspective.
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, CETT wishes to recognize the work of all researchers who, through their dedication, contribute to advancing a more inclusive, diverse and socially impactful science.
