Academic travel: A subcultural theory approach
Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
Annals of Tourism Research
Publication Date
11-1-2026
Abstract
This paper conceptualises mobile academics as a travelling subculture characterised by shared practices, common narratives, and symbolic forms of distinction. Drawing on subcultural theory and linking it to the tourism and mobilities literatures, it moves beyond functionalist, managerialist, and constructivist approaches to examine the cultural dimensions of academic mobility through an interpretivist lens. Based on the analysis of 20 academic blogs, the study shows how academic travel functions as a performative practice through which scholars construct an “academic self” and legitimise their social position within academia, while also reproducing hierarchies and uneven participation. By reframing academic mobility as a subcultural practice, the paper offers a new lens for understanding how everyday academic routines shape differentiation and inclusion within contemporary academia.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
121
Disciplines
Tourism and Travel
Keywords
Academic mobility, Academic travel, Blogs, Inequalities, Subcultural theory, Tourism subcultures
Scopus ID
Recommended Citation
Mura, Paolo, "Academic travel: A subcultural theory approach" (2026). All Works. 8070.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/8070
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
no