Faculty and Staff

Leon Mach, PhD

Leon Mach, PhD

Title
Associate Professor in Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values
Location
Panama
Education
Ph.D. in Energy and Environmental Policy
University of Delaware (Newark, Delaware, USA)
M.A. in International Affairs
American University (Washington, DC, USA)
M.A. in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development
University for Peace (Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica)
B.A. in Economics and Political Science
McDaniel College (Westminster, Maryland, USA)
Teaching
SFS 3020 Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Values
The School for Field Studies
SFS 4910 Directed Research
The School for Field Studies
SFS 3000 Tourism and Tropical Island Ecosystems
The School for Field Studies
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about

Faculty Profile

I am interdisciplinary scholar with a passion for utilizing social science field research to improve lives and conserve ecosystems. As a professor, my main objective is to empower students with the tools they need to research what they love. Of all my accomplishments, I am most proud that my SFS students have presented their directed research at international conferences, published their findings in books and peer reviewed journals, and carry these experiences with them as they transition into graduate schools and environmental careers. The main goal of my research is to ensure the voices of all stakeholders are included in the creation and implementation of effective natural resource governance that works for people.

In Bocas del Toro, I continue to lead research initiatives geared towards elevating local voices and steering development in locally desirable and sustainable ways. My main research focus lies at the intersection of tourism and sustainable development. Under that umbrella, I have studied surf, Indigenous-led, protected area, peer-to-peer accommodation, party, and wildlife tourism. I have been awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award and a grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to pursue surf tourism research. The latter has led to the creation of destination management organizations with diverse community participation in two surf destinations in El Salvador. I continue to advise both organizations towards achieving globally recognized sustainability certifications – a process which has facilitated infrastructure improvements to clean up rivers, collect and recycle trash, and ensure there are opportunities for local employment and advancement in tourism related careers.

Professional Activities

Founding Member, International Association of Surf Academics (2016 – present)

Co-Founder, SeaState LLC (2015 – present)

Associate Director, Center for Surf Research (2014 – present)

Advisory Board Member: Foster the Earth

outputs

Publications

Protected area entry fees and governance quality

Mach, L., Winner, C., Rojas, C., & Klemond, M. (2020). Protected area entry fees and governance quality. Tourism Management, 77.

Tourists want to be spooked, not schooled: Sustaining Indigenous tourism in the Bastimentos Island National Marine Park

Mach, L. & Vahradian, D. (2019). Tourists want to be spooked, not schooled: Sustaining Indigenous tourism in the Bastimentos Island National Marine Park. Journal of Ecotourism. (under second revision for special issue).

Governmentality and surf tourism destinations governance

Mach, L. & Ponting, J. (2018). Governmentality and surf tourism destinations governance. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.

Riding waves of intra-seasonal demand in surf tourism: analysing the nexus of seasonality and 21st century surf forecasting technology

Mach, L., Ponting, J., Brown, J., & Savage, J. (2018). Riding waves of intra-seasonal demand in surf tourism: analysing the nexus of seasonality and 21st century surf forecasting technology. Annals of Leisure Research.

The role of research and training institutions in tourism destination governance in Bocas del Toro

Scott, C., & Mach, L. (2018). The role of research and training institutions in tourism destination governance in Bocas del Toro. In D. Suman, & A. K. Spalding (Eds.), Coastal resources of Bocas del Toro, Panama: Tourism and development pressures and the quest for sustainability (pp. 105-132). Coral Gables, FL: University of Miami.

A nested socio-ecological systems approach to understanding the implications of changing surf-reef governance regimes in Fiji

Mach, L. & Ponting, J. (2016). In Turner & Carcinelli (Eds.) Lifestyle Sports and Public Policy. Rutledge. (Accepted).

Surfing in the Technological Era.

Mach, L. (2016). In Borne & Ponting (Eds.) Sustainability and Surfing. Rutledge. (Accepted).

The promise of the green energy economy

Byrne, J., Mach, L., Taminiau, J., & Wang, Y. 2014. In J.Byrne, & YD. Wang, Secure and Green Energy Economies. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.

From the Endless Summer to the Surf Spring: Technology and Governance in Developing World Surf Tourism.

Mach, L. (2014). Dissertation, University of Delaware, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy.

Cost-Minimized Combinations of Wind Power, Solar Power and Electrochemical Storage, Powering the Grid up to 99.9% of the Time.

Budishack, C., Sewell, D., Thomson, H., Mach, L., Veron, D., and Kempton, W. (2013). Journal of Power Sources. Volume 225, Pages 60-74. Available at: http://www.ceoe.udel.edu/windpower/resources/BudischakEtAl-AsPublished-Corrected.pdf

Voices from the Narmada River

Mach, L. 2013. Peace and Conflict Monitor http://www.monitor.upeace.org/innerpg.cfm?id_article=967

Finding another Wave: The Need for Ecotourism Principles in International Surf Culture

Mach, L. 2009. MA Thesis Published Electronically by American University. Available at: http://www.american.edu/sis/gep/upload/Leon-Mach.pdf

Grants and Awards

Institute of International Education/Council for International Exchange of Scholars – Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award (Sri Lanka 2021-2022).

USAID Economic Competitiveness Project (Grant #075-2021) Sustainability Certification of Two Surf Destinations in El Salvador.

Presentations

Are locals invited to the party? Assessing the impact of party tourism on local stakeholders in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

“Are locals invited to the party? Assessing the impact of party tourism on local stakeholders in Bocas del Toro, Panama.” The Caribbean International Tourism Conference, University of the West Indies, Barbados, December 11-13, 2019.

Bitcoin don't surf: Navigating place identity through participatory destination governance in El Zonte, El Salvador.

The Stoke Sessions: An international conference on the culture, history and politics of surfing and skateboarding, San Diego State University, April 21, 2023.

Wildlife tourism maps and the governance of environmental collapse.

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute’s symposium celebrating 20 years of integrative research at the Bocas del Toro Research Station, Earl S. Tupper Auditorium Panama City, March 27th, 2023.

Surf protected area networks: An innovative approach to protect coastal ecosystems harnessing the power of surfing in the Blue Economy.

UN Ocean Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, June 29, 2022.

Sweet success: Sustainable chocolate and Indigenous tourism in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

World Indigenous Tourism Summit, Perth AU, March 13-16, 2023.

Understanding tourists’ perspectives and perceptions of wildlife tourism attractions in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Southeast Environment and Recreations Research Conference, Ashville, NC, Mach 20-22, 2022.

Ecotourism and protected areas: Governance, power, community.

Southeast Environment and Recreations Research Conference, Ashville, NC, Mach 20-22, 2022.