192 Letter from Monika Prakash and Pinaz Tiwari

Dear Young Women Researchers

The moment I came across the subject line “Women’s Voices in Tourism Research”, I felt obliged to write to you. What moved me most was the initiative to foster collective mentoring among women researchers in tourism—a vision I wholeheartedly support. So, this letter is for you.

As women, we bring a distinctive lens to research. It’s not simply about biology or gender roles – but about perspective, lived experience, and emotional depth. Certainly, mainstream academia often rewards what is technical, detached, and “objective.” But I believe that in trying to be overly “scientific,” we risk making research mechanical, and even robotic. Time and again, I’ve found that in academic discussions with male colleagues, we weren’t just differing in opinion—we were seeing different problems, noticing different patterns, and asking different questions. And that difference? That’s your strength.

Many women researchers begin their work not because they stumbled upon a gap in literature, but because something within them stirred. A silence they wanted to break. A story they felt needed telling. A community they couldn’t ignore.

We’re often told we think with our hearts, and perhaps we do. But isn’t that a human strength? One even artificial intelligence struggles to replicate. I believe that our emotional intelligence is our compass when it comes to research. It enables us to ask bigger questions: “Whose stories are missing?”, “Who benefits, and who gets excluded?” While others may ask, “How can this system be optimised?”, we often ask, “How can this system be more just?” Our research, rooted in empathy, has the power to heal, include, and inspire change.

As your journey unfolds, you’ll encounter people who treat research as a box to tick on a career ladder. Infact it’s a mirror reflecting who you are. It reflects how you think, what you care about, and how you respond to the world around you. Whenever you feel pressured to adopt to someone’s voice or style – reflect and resist! Resist the temptation to dilute your voice just to sound “academic enough.” Don’t measure your worth by the number of papers others are publishing. While academia still debates “publish or perish,” we must redefine research beyond that binary. In a world where many start with tools and then look for problems to solve, let us return to a mindful, purpose-driven approach to scholarship – one that’s authentic.

To be an authentic researcher, you must first know yourself—and the issues closest to your heart. Master the language of research. Sharpen your tools. But above all, let your work reflect your integrity and passion. We’ve often found inspiration in Dr. Freya Higgins-Desbiolles’s contributions. Her research on justice through tourism, Indigenous sovereignty, and degrowth tourism is grounded in care, ethics, and deep personal conviction. She reminds us that meaningful research isn’t just about method—it’s about purpose.

And as your path unfolds, we hope you remember this truth: your feminine lens is your greatest strength. It will not only shape your research but also define the leader you become.

What I Hope for You and for Tourism Research-

I hope you see research that grows with you, and within.
I hope you look beyond citations and publish with meaning.
I hope you explore micro-level truths and aim higher
Even if it means uncovering injustice and questioning power.
I hope your work reflects your values, passion, and beliefs
I hope your research gives the world a new lens and a reason to Lead.

With solidarity,

Monika Prakash, Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, India
Pinaz Tiwari, Indian Institute of Management, India