Vale Dr. Joanne Pyke

Joanne Pyke was a Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities.

Jo’s lifetime of work and unwavering dedication to VU over 20 years as an active academician focused on sustainable tourism, diversity and inclusion, community wellbeing and gender equity. Her natural strength was to foster deep and meaningful collaborations with a diversity of people from across academia and industry, as reflected in her strong partnerships to deliver industry-funded research within and beyond Victoria and Australia, reaching various international communities, including in Fiji, Tonga, Vietnam and Indonesia.

A visionary leader, Jo led the establishment of the School for the Visitor Economy in 2018. She oversaw an extensive research program and team of researchers specialising in tourism risk, resilience and recovery, highlighting the impacts of crises and disasters on the visitor economy, and helping to inform policy and practice for transformation towards a greener, sustainable and more inclusive future.

A VU PhD graduate herself; Jo was a much-loved HDR supervisor who was greatly appreciated and respected by her students. Her generosity and compassionate mentorship are demonstrated by the support and opportunities she identified and created for student and early career researchers and colleagues, inviting them to join projects, link with industry partners, co-author publications and excel professionally with her expert guidance.

As a former Discipline Leader of Tourism, Hospitality, Music and Events, Jo worked closely with the Business School, maintaining strong connections. During this time, she led the development, certification and delivery of a Master of Tourism and Destination Management. In 2013, she received the Vice-Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence in Research and Research Training (Research Team).

Jo’s commitment extended to the wider community, and she was an active member of the Victoria Tourism Industry Council’s (VTIC) Policy Advisory Committee and Chapter Director for the Council of Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE), where she was highly regarded for her contributions.

Above all, Jo forged connections and formed great friendships. A beautiful writer with warm humour and wit, Jo will be remembered through her impactful work and will be deeply missed.