Dr. Brianna Wyatt is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Tourism, Events, Entertainment & Attractions. She earned her Ph.D. from Edinburgh Napier University in the United Kingdom as a 50th Anniversary Scholar, where she critically explored the influences on the design and management of interpretation at lighter dark visitor attractions. She has also earned a Master of Science in Heritage and Cultural Tourism Management, a Master of Arts in Humanities, a Master of Arts in Museum Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in History. Dr. Wyatt has also earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching and Learning and has achieved Senior Fellowship with Advanced HE – formerly the Higher Education Academy.

Prior to joining the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Dr. Wyatt served as a Senior Lecturer and Postgraduate Subject Coordinator at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom. Here, she was recognized for developing experiential learning that provided students with opportunities to design and deliver live public events at Oxford Castle & Prison. Dr. Wyatt also has prior tourism industry experience working with globally recognized brands including Merlin Entertainments and UNESCO World Heritage Centre and a variety of heritage attractions and museums in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Dr. Wyatt specializes in dark tourism and events with specific interest in interpretation and experience design for heritage and themed visitor attractions, museums, and festivals and events. Her research and publications emphasize edutainment, re-enactment, storytelling, theming, immersion, and health and safety within visitor attractions and events. Dr. Wyatt is also a US Regional Editor for the Event Management Journal and the Book Editor for the World Leisure Journal.