Rate My Professor Susan Mackenzie

Mackenzie's research integrates psychology and tourism by developing and applying positive psychology theories, including flow, self-determination theory, and reversal theory, to adventure tourism, sport, recreation, and education. Her interests encompass links between nature-based adventure and well-being for tourists, recreationalists, tourism guides, and host communities; regenerative tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly community well-being; and translational research for the tourism industry using mixed methods. Notable publications include 'Multiple Motives for Participating in Adventure Sports' (Kerr & Mackenzie, Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2012, 339 citations), 'Stress and Emotions at Work: An Adventure Tourism Guide's Experiences' (Mackenzie & Kerr, Tourism Management, 2013, 242 citations), 'Adventure Recreation and Subjective Well-Being: A Conceptual Framework' (Houge Mackenzie & Hodge, Leisure Studies, 2020, 215 citations), 'Fostering Community Wellbeing via Regenerative Destination Planning: An Aotearoa New Zealand Case Study' (McKeeman, Houge Mackenzie, & Lovelock, Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 2026), and book chapters such as 'Psychological Well-Being and Adventure Tourism: Implications for People and Places' (Houge Mackenzie, Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism, 2025). She serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership and on advisory boards for Tourism Central Otago, the Adventure Tourism Research Association, and the Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. Awards include the University of Otago Postgraduate Publishing Bursary (2009) and the Duffus Lubecki Award for Applied Sciences (2006-2009).