Maria F. Larrea is a PhD candidate at Griffith University in Australia with extensive practical experience in aviation training, hospitality, and higher education, which underpins her research endeavours. She is interested in exploring the learning process and competence development in service-sector jobs, with a particular focus on the aviation and hospitality sectors. 

Maria's doctoral project offers a holistic perspective on learning beyond formal training to enhance the competence of cabin crew members. She contends that their learning process transcends structured curricula as it evolves through the friction and negotiations of knowledge, values, and identity fostered in formal training and situated in work practice. This dynamic process sees cabin crew members consistently mediating their performance in routine and unexpected situations, shaping their professional competence and identity. 

Central to Maria's research is the recognition that social interactions, beyond technical skills, play a pivotal role in shaping cabin crew competence. Her study aims to make empirical contributions by offering insights into these social dynamics during training and at work, providing airlines with a more comprehensive understanding of cabin crew learning experiences from an insider's perspective. Ultimately, Maria's work aims to assist airlines in improving cabin crew performance and fostering positive attitudes toward their roles as safety compliance enforcers and service providers. 

Please follow Maria's work on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maria-larrea-544a5765