Joan Flaherty

• M.Sc., Rural Extension Studies (Adult and Extension Education), University of Guelph
• M.A.,  English Literature, University of Guelph
• B.A., English Literature, University of Guelph

2014 Bill Braithwaite MBA Distinguished Professorial Award, College of Business and Economics, University of Guelph

2007  University of Guelph Faculty Association Professorial Teaching Award

2005  Faculty Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, University of Guelph,

My primary research interests involve the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL). I am particularly interested in teaching/learning strategies that foster student (and instructor) engagement in the post-secondary classroom; and that lead to transformative learning.

Zhou, Y., Jo, W., Flaherty, J., Li, T. (2024). How travel vlogs contribute to destination marketing: A comparison with DMO promotional videos and the moderating role of destination competitiveness. International Journal of Tourism Research, https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2755

Edelheim, J., Joppe, M. & Flaherty, J. (2022). Teaching Tourism: Innovative, Values-based Learning Experiences for Transformative Practices. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Flaherty, J. & Gallina, S., (2021). "University of Guelph's School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management co-op program: Aiming for a transformative learning experience" in  Ren, L., and McKercher, B. (Eds) (2021) Practical Learning in Hospitality Education. University of Queensland, DOI: 10.14264/5fed372

Rastegar, N., Flaherty, J., Liang, L.L. and Choi, H. C. (2021). The adoption of self-service kiosks in quick- service restaurants. European Journal of Tourism Research 27, 2709.

Flaherty, J. (2020, December 7). Finding a path with a heart. The Teaching Professor . 

Rohani, K., Rohani, L. & Flaherty, J. (2020). The impact of the flipped classroom on the instructor: Challenges and strategies. Transformative Dialogues: A Teaching and Learning Journal. 13(2). https://journals.kpu.ca/index.php/td/index

Flaherty, J. (2019, September 30). Learning outcomes for instructors. The Teaching Professor.  Reprinted in Planning & Designing Your College Course (2020), Madison WI: Magna Publications.

Flaherty, J.,  Day, J., & Crerar, A. (2019). Uncertainty, story-telling and transformative learning: An instructor's experience of TEFI's walking workshop in Nepal. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism. DOI: 10.1080/15313220.2018.1561638

Flaherty, J. (2018). The Counterintuitive Writer: A writing guide for students ... and for others. Rock's Mills Press. https://www.rocksmillspress.com/counterintuitive.html

Rastegar, N., Liang, L. J., Flaherty, J., & Choi, H. (2018).  Why do quick service restaurant customers use self-service kiosks?   23rd Graduate Education & Graduate Research Conference in Hospitality & Tourism, Fort Worth, Texas, Jan 3-6.

Flaherty, J., McAdams, B., & LeBlanc, J. (2017).Words Matter: The impact of catchy vs conventional course titles on student interest. Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (CJSoTL), 8 (1).

Choi, H.S. & Flaherty, J. (2014). Communication competencies required by hospitality and tourism graduates for career success.  20th Asia Pacific Tourism Association Annual Conference Proceedings, pp. 481-485.

Smith, R. & Flaherty, J. (2014). The importance of social presence in an online MBA program: A preliminary investigation. Teaching and Learning Innovations Journal. Vol. 16.

Flaherty, J. & Choi, H.S. (2014). Is writing important for graduate success? A preliminary investigation into the communication skills required of hospitality and tourism undergraduates. Teaching and Learning Innovations Journal. Vol. 16.

Flaherty, J. (2014). An approach to rejuvenating our teaching -- and ourselves. Transformative Dialogues: A Teaching and Learning Journal. Vol 7, Issue 1.

Choi, C. & Flaherty, J. (2013). A Portrait of Stephen L.J. Smith. Anatolia: An international journal of tourism and hospitality research.DOI: 10.1080/13032917.2013.855974

Flaherty, J. & von Massow, M. (2013). Mixing business with science: Graduate student perceptions of a pilot interdisciplinary course. Transformative Dialogues: A Teaching and Learning Journal. Vol 6, Issue 3).

Flaherty, J. (2013; Feb 2012). Millennial students and middle-aged faculty: A learner-centred approach toward bridging the gap. The Teaching Professor, p.1. (Reprinted March 2013 in Faculty Focus: Higher Ed Teaching Strategies.

Flaherty, J. (2011, October). Ill-mannered students can wreck more than your lecture. The Chronicle of Higher Education, p. A3

Guiyang Tourism Development Committee (2011). Guiyang. J. Flaherty (Ed). China Travel and Tourism Press.

Flaherty, J. (2010). Bridging the digital divide: A non-technical approach to the use of technology in the classroom. Academic matters:  The Journal of Higher Education, pp. 21-26.

Flaherty, J. (2010). Oral Presentations: The counterintuitive speaker. In L. Hanson & D. Hammond, Business communications: Contexts and controversies (pp. 137-169). Toronto: Pearson Canada

Thompson, R., & Flaherty, J. (2009). Confronting apathy to forge motivation within the hospitality workforce: A preliminary investigation. 5th Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium, Travel and Tourism Research Association (Canada Chapter), Guelph, ON, October 14, 2009.

Flaherty, J., Choi, H.S., & Johan, N. (2008). A research-based approach to participation assessment: Evolving beyond problems to possibilities". CELT (Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching), Vol. 1.  pp. 110-114.

Johan, N., Flaherty, J., & Choi, H.S. (2006). An approach to participation assessment in hospitality and tourism management courses: The students' perspective. The Undergraduate and Graduate Research Symposium, TTRA Canada, October 14 - 17, Montebello, QC.

Flaherty, J. (2006). An ego-free approach to improving our students' writing. Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Newsletter, No. 42, Winter 2006, 5.

Flaherty, J. (2002, June 18). My mother’s secret garden of being. Globe and Mail. p. A18.

Flaherty, J. (2002). Why the classroom matters more than ever. The Teaching Professor, 16 (1), 5-6.

Flaherty, J. (2001, September 19). Time to put this behind us. Globe and Mail. p. A18. (Reprinted in University of Guelph publication @guelph, October 19, 2001).

Flaherty, J. (2000). Teachers get bored, too. The Teaching Professor, 14 (10), 1-2.

Flaherty, J. (1999). Talk to me now: Communication in the classroom. The Teaching Professor, 14 (1), 4-5.

Flaherty, J. (1999). Computers in the classroom (?). The Teaching Professor, 13 (1), 3.

Flaherty, J. (1998). Hate writing. Love having written. The Teaching Professor, 12 (5) 4. (Reprinted in The Best of the Teaching Professor, Ike Shibely (Ed.) Magna Publications 2005 and in Inside the School, D. Trim (Ed)., Magna Publications 2009.

Blackburn D.J. & Flaherty, J. (1994). Historical roots of extension. In D.J. Blackburn (Ed.), Extension Handbook: Processes & Practices (pp. 8-17). Toronto : Thompson Educational Publishing.

Blackburn , D.J. & Flaherty, J. (1994). Transitions & directions in extension. In D.J. Blackburn (Ed.), Extension Handbook: Processes & Practices (pp. 8-17). Toronto : Thompson Educational Publishing.

Flaherty, J. (May 2019). A study abroad experience: Student perceptions of learning outcomes and their pedagogical implications. Perspectives on Experiential Learning Conference. University of Guelph, ON.

Flaherty, J., LeBlanc, J., & McAdams, B. (May 2018). Do course titles matter: Student preferences and perceptions re conventional vs catchy course titles and the pedagogical implications.  Teaching and Learning Innovations (TLI) Conference, University of Guelph, ON.

Flaherty, J. (May 2016). Sustainable Tourism and Social Entrepreneurship. Tourism Education Futures Initiative Walking Workshop, Lower Solukumbu Region, Nepal. 

Flaherty J., & Choi, HSC. (July 23-25, 2014). Is writing important for graduate success? A preliminary investigation into the communication competencies required of hospitality and tourism graduates. Improving University Teaching Conference. Vancouver, BC.

Choi, HSC., & Flaherty, J. (Uuly 1-4, 2014). Communication competencies required by hospitality and tourism graduates for career success. APTA Conference, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Flaherty, J (June 2, 2013). An approach to rejuvenating our teaching -- and ourselves. The Teaching Professor Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Flaherty, J., & von Massow, M. (June 1-3, 2012). Learning without borders: An interdisciplinary approach to course development. The Teaching Professor Conference, Washington, D.C. (Poster Presentation).

Flaherty, J. (July 6, 2010). Keynote re “Challenges in Communications” at OMAFRA (Communications Branch) retreat, Guelph.

Flaherty, J. (May 21-23, 2010). Bridging the digital divide: A non-technical approach to the use of technology in the classroom. The Teaching Professor Conference, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Flaherty, J.  (May 16-18, 2008). 'To see the world in a grain of sand': Educating our students - and ourselves - about globalism & diversity". The Teaching Professor Conference, Kissimmee, Florida.

Flaherty, J. (September 2007; 2006; 2005).. "The TA's guide to writing: Doing the opposite of what you've probably been taught" Teaching Support Services Conferences, University of Guelph, Guelph.

Holmes, T., & Flaherty, J. (June 16-17, 2007). "A research-based approach to participation assessment: Evolving beyond problems to possibilities". Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) Conference. Edmonton, Alberta.

Flaherty, J.  (May 2006).  "An ego-free approach to teaching writing". Pedagogies that Challenge conference, Teaching Support Services, University of Guelph, Guelph.

Flaherty, J. (June 24, 2005). Keynote: "Engaging our students and ourselves in the classroom". Teaching Professor Conference, Louisiana State University, Eunice, Louisiana.

Flaherty, J. (May 21, 2005). Invited presentation: “Zen and the Art of Effective Teaching”, Teaching Professor Conference, Chicago, US.

Flaherty, J. (May 17, 2005). "It was a dark and stormy night of the soul: The writing teacher's lament - and how to avoid it". Writing to learn. Learning to write Conference, University of Guelph, Guelph.

Flaherty, J. (May 2004). "Zen and the Art of Effective Teaching". Teaching Professor Conference. Philadelphia, US.