Pascal Scherrer

Biography

Pascal Scherrer has extensive expertise in the areas of sustainability, regional development, tourism and visitor management. He has successfully worked on a wide range of research projects and consultancies across several levels of government and with universities, jointly securing more than $2 million in funding. He has published extensively with over 100 publications, including more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Research

Pascal’s main research areas are sustainability, regional development, tourism and visitor management. He is currently co-leading a circular economy project partnering with the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) to reduce plastic packaging waste. Past projects include development and testing of alternatives to the iconic experience of summiting Wollumbin-Mt Warning, the findings from which underpin the NSW government funded $7.4mio Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails Project by the NPWS; a sustainable visitor capacity assessment of visitor use on Rottnest Island which has influenced visitor infrastructure and management decisions in the A-Class Nature Reserve; and a five year assessment of visitor use, experience and satisfaction with the Point Fraser artificial wetland in Perth – all successfully delivered within budget, on time and with excellent client feedback.

Community engagement

Pascal has won several awards for excellence in community engaged research. He is a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected areas and the Northcoast Regional Advisory Committee of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). He also works as external facilitator on community and local government projects.

Teaching

Pascal teaches across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate units related to sustainability, regional development and tourism, addressing topics such as sustainable tourism, managing the visitor economy and planning and policy. He also supervises Honours and PhD candidates to successful completion.