UMF welcomes Thomas Gilman, New Zealand specialist in sustainable tourism and Libra Scholar, to campus in April for multiple public events

FARMINGTON, ME  (March 30, 2026)— The University of Maine at Farmington in partnership with the UMF Office of Global Education is excited to announce that Dr. Thomas Gilman, a New Zealand specialist in sustainable tourism, will be collaborating with the University in a series of campus and local presentations as a visiting UMF Libra Scholar during the month of April.

Gilman has worked in the sustainability field for more than 10 years and has academic and on-the-ground experience in sustainable development, tourism, community development and participatory philanthropy.

According to the UN World Tourism Organization, sustainable tourism is travel that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.

“Travel opens a new world to the visitor and provides us with the opportunity to meet new people and cultures, enjoy new learning experiences and explore new markets,” said Gilman. “It’s also important to remember that we are guests in people’s lands. Their lives might not be part of our daily experience, but they are part of our shared human experience, and we can learn from each other and ultimately create something that can have a positive impact on the world.”

The UMF open-to-the-public events will have Gilman sharing different ways to understand sustainable tourism and how we can think about it in a more constructive way. He will also be speaking with students in their classrooms and connecting with local employers operating in the tourism space, as well as sustainability efforts.

Events will include:

Thursday, April 9, 10 a.m.
Campus Sustainability Tour
Anyone interested can meet at the Bjorn Lobby in the UMF Kalikow Education Center

Thursday, April 9, 8 p.m.
“Thirty Million”- Film screening and panel discussion
A film on Bangladesh, often described as the most vulnerable country on the planet in the face of a changing climate. Panel discussion with Co-Director Daniel Price, Co-Associate Producer Thomas Gilman and UMF Associate Professor Amy Neswald.
The Landing, UMF Olsen Student Center

Friday, April 10, 6 p.m.
Book discussion – “Not the End of the World: Surprising facts, dangerous myths and hopeful solutions for our future on planet Earth” by Hannah Ritchie
Twice Sold Tales, Downtown Farmington

Tuesday, April 14, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
“Food Beyond Borders” Lunch – half price
Diverse food offerings from around the world with information about UMF’s Office of Global Education and Peace Corp Prep program
South Dining Hall, UMF Olsen Student Center

Wednesday, April 15, TBD
UMF Symposium Presentation
“Blue Green Butterfly: Explaining Sustainability and Breaking Down Barriers”

Wednesday, April 22, 1 p.m.
UMF Alumni Panel on Leadership in Environmental Stewardship
UMF Emery Community Arts Center

Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 p.m.
Reception and Keynote Address by Thomas Gilman: “Using Your Travel for Good: How We Can Be Part of the First Sustainable Generation”
UMF Emery Community Arts Center

The Libra Professorship Program brings scholars of national and international prominence to University of Maine System campuses to provide students and community members with outstanding models of teaching, research, and public service.

More on Thomas Gilman

Dr. Thomas Gillman is a sustainable tourism specialist with academic and on-the-ground experience in sustainability, tourism, community development, and participatory philanthropy. Gilman’s work has largely been focused on the Pacific, and he has worked with many regional institutions, such as UNDP Samoa, the Asia-Pacific Network for Refugees and the Vanuatu Department of Tourism. He has also worked with various private sector actors and has co-founded a New Zealand based environmental NGO.

Gilman holds an MS in Development and International Relations from Aalborg University in Denmark, and a PhD from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. His PhD. thesis, “The drive for sustainability: an exploration of the private sector’s role in assisting sustainable development in the Smaller Island States of the Pacific”, explored the role which the tourism industry can and does play in enabling sustainable development within the Smaller Island States of the Pacific.

More on University of Maine at Farmington

A nationally recognized regional public university, the University of Maine at Farmington is known for its commitment to teacher preparation, the creative arts, health and science, environmental studies, business and public service. Located in the heart of Maine’s four-season outdoor recreational region, UMF provides a challenging but welcoming academic community—here in Farmington and online—that prepares students for enriching professional careers, engaged citizenship and an enduring love of learning.

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EDITOR’S NOTE:

Image: https://farmington.edu/app/uploads/2026/03/RP256-030.webp
Photo Caption: Thomas Gilman
Photo Credit: Submitted Image