Current Research
Whether working on campus in world-renowned research facilities and training sites, or in the far corners of the globe, our team of esteemed research professionals collaborates closely with students and industry partners to examine how people engage in a full spectrum of recreational activities and how it affects their lives, the lives of others, and the environment around them.
By spearheading unique research initiatives in conjunction with exclusive industry partnerships and professional relationships that simply don’t exist at other universities, RPTM’s world-renowned research team is committed to developing an ever-expanding understanding of the social, environmental, psychological, and economic aspects of human behavior in the context of experiencing and delivering a broad array of leisure activities and pursuits.
Covering everything from the urban parks of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to the wilderness of Denali, and from the pursuit of the perfect golf swing to the impact of sound on the natural environment, current research at Penn State’s Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management delves deeply into the leisure time pursuits of individuals, and how they affect their lives — and the world around them.
