Alana Thomson

Dr Alana Thomson is a Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Events at the University of Newcastle and specialises in sport events.
She holds a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney and has previously held academic appointments at La Trobe University, Federation University, and Griffith University, where she led curriculum design, program reviews, and innovative teaching initiatives.
Alana’s research focuses on sport event legacies, gender equality in sport, and sustainable event management.
Her work on sport events and women’s sport is among the most downloaded and cited in Sport Management Review. She has secured industry funding through collaborations with Rugby Australia, AusCycling, and the International Olympic Committee.
Her research has been cited in OECD policy frameworks, made publicly available by the Queensland Government, and she has served as an expert witness for the 2026 Commonwealth Games bid. Alana is committed to bridging academia and industry, delivering research and teaching that enhance student employability and real-world impact.