Clayton J Hawkins

Biography

Clayton joined the University of Tasmania in 2007.  He has extensive experience working in local government in the fields of sport and recreation, cultural and community development, community arts and event management and has won numerous state and national awards for his practitioner work.  He is a national board member of ANZALS – the Australian and New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies (Online Engagement portfolio) – and previously held Ministerial appointments as a member of the Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board and as Chair of Arts Tasmania's Assistance to Organisations Panel. Clayton is a former elected representative in local government having served almost four years with the Waratah-Wynyard Council and is a Fellow (FIPM) of the Institute for Place Management at the UK.

Research Interest

Clayton's research aligns to the University's research theme of Creativity, Culture and Society. His main research interest is in the area of leisure planning and policy where the concepts of social capital, informal leisure activity and the value of 'place' (including 'third place') form the majority of the academic framework.  He also has keen interests in the future of local government, tourism, festivals, events and the adaption of lean thinking beyond manufacturing industries (e.g. service industries, higher education). His PhD with the IRD was titled 'Informal Leisure as a Source of Social Capital Formation: A Festival Case Study'.  He also has a passion for the scholarship of teaching and learning.