03/12/2026
Exciting news for 🎉 We’re so proud to celebrate Laura Bruce (), our Field and Lab Assistant at the Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity, on becoming a published author in the Journal of Ecotourism 📘
As an alumna of the semester program herself, this publication grew out of her Directed Research project and is a beautiful example of the kind of meaningful, field-based research that continues to grow through our centers.
Laura’s research explores community-based Indigenous tourism in Bocas del Toro, Panama, with a focus on how it can support Ngäbe communities beyond income alone, including social, psychological, political, and environmental empowerment.
One of the most powerful takeaways is that even with real challenges, these initiatives continue to florish because they create value that goes far beyond tourism revenue, such as community cohesion, cultural pride, and local leadership.
Laura thanks Leon Mach, our Center Director, for his guidance and support throughout the process.
Find the full article through the link in our bio 🔗