In April 2016, using BU Fusion funding, Dr Lorraine Brown visited the two Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona in order to conduct research on the link between tourism and the Spanish civil war, with a particular focus on the way that tourism can mobilise and consolidate political identity.

She took part in Spanish Civil War walking tours where she interviewed tourists, and made useful connections with tour guides. She also met with Spanish academics interested in the topic and agreed a research agenda, including the writing of a research bid on tourism in post-conflict destinations.

In July, she will attend a conference with the title: ‘Spain’s Civil War 80 years later: The wound that will not heal’. This will allow me further useful networking opportunities with academics from around the world, including Spain. She is m currently working on writing up my findings into an article that revolves around a topic similar to the conference title: how to commemorate a traumatic historical event whose repercussions are still felt today?