Kirsten Holmes joined Curtin University in 2007 as a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Management and has advanced through various teaching, research, and leadership roles across three schools. She has previously served as Dean of Research for the Faculty of Business and Law, implementing initiatives to support staff at all levels. She is currently Co-Director of Curtin's Tourism Research Cluster, an elected member of the University's Research Committee, and an elected member of the University's Academic Board.

 Within her discipline, Kirsten is an elected Fellow and past Chair of the Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education. She was the inaugural Chair of Volunteering Australia's National Volunteering Research Committee and past Chair of Volunteering WA's Research Committee. Kirsten has also supported the development of the national definition of volunteering, the development of the National Volunteering Strategy, and the review of the State of Volunteering research and advised on the Australian Government's tourism strategy, Thrive.