Heike Annette Schänzel (born 1966) is a German–New Zealand academic, and is a full professor in the School of Hospital and Tourism at the Auckland University of Technology, specialising in research on gender and family issues in tourism.
Schänzel grew up in Germany and worked as a travel consultant, but moved to New Zealand after enjoying a motorbike touring holiday there in the 1990s.
[2][3] Schänzel then joined the faculty at Auckland University of Technology, rising to full professor from January 2024.
[4] Schänzel's research is focused on exploring how tourism and hospitality relate to intergenerational relationships and gender.
This involves looking at issues such as feminism, childism, sustainability and social justice in tourism.