BIOGRAPHY:
April Robertson-Ring is a higher education instructor and researcher specializing in coastal resilience and tourism development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Hospitality Management, with more than fifteen years of professional management experience across hospitality and media industries. As a mom of two, she is deeply motivated to protect Florida’s beaches for future generations and to ensure that coastal environments remain resilient, accessible, and thriving. Her work bridges industry practice and scholarly inquiry, drawing on years of engagement with tourism stakeholders and community organizations. She is committed to advancing active learning in the classroom, supporting evidence-based destination planning, and broadening public understanding of how tourism and the environment intersect.
RESEARCH:
Her research examines how climate-driven coastal changes, particularly sea-level rise, flooding, and ecosystem degradation, shape tourism development and local community well-being. She integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches, including stakeholder interviews, spatial analysis and experience design frameworks, to understand how destinations adapt both physically and culturally to emerging risks. Her broader goal is to connect environmental resilience and business-centered design to support sustainable tourism systems.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Email: april.robertson@ucf.edu