Sophie Murphy

I’m a Lecturer in Events and Hospitality here at UCB, where I’ve been teaching since 2018. My expertise spans event design and experience management, event hospitality, marketing, cultural festivals, special events, event tourism, and methodological approaches to social science research.

In my teaching, I always aim to bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice - something I’m able to do thanks to my experience in the industry, including roles such as supervising at a large-scale wedding, events, and conference centre. My hands-on experience covers event planning and coordination, event hospitality, marketing, and front-of-house work at Hilton Worldwide hotels. I remain very active in the industry and maintain a strong professional network, which continually informs my teaching and ensures my knowledge stays current. I’m also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) as well as a proud member of the Institute of Hospitality (IoH).

What inspires me most about the events and hospitality industry is the opportunity to create meaningful and memorable experiences that genuinely connect with people. With events in particular, we get to create extraordinary experiences that people may cherish for years to come. It’s inspiring to see how all the details can transform an ordinary gathering into something truly memorable.

One misconception I often address with my students is the idea that you need to “know it all” if you’re in charge. The best leaders are open to ongoing learning and development, have a strong network to collaborate with, and tackle everything with a positive attitude and a growth mindset. I really believe in the power of “collaboration over competition.” When we support each other and work together, we create stronger ideas, better solutions, and a more positive environment in which everyone can grow and succeed.

Seeing students become genuinely excited about exploring topics that matter to them within the industry is something that makes me incredibly proud. I try to make even the trickier topics feel approachable and enjoyable, and I always encourage my students to connect what they’re learning to real industry examples. As a former UCB student, I know that students can make great connections here, and these may well open the door to amazing future opportunities.