Solo Sojourn has announced its first named research partnership. The University of Florida Atlas Lab and its director, Dr. Nathan Carpenter, are now formal collaborators on the project’s social media monitoring program.
Why This Partnership Matters
First, this collaboration expands Solo Sojourn’s existing academic relationship with the UF College of Journalism and Mass Communications. It moves that relationship from general academic support into active, operational research. Dr. Carpenter built a dedicated Solo Sojourn monitoring dashboard through Brandwatch Consumer Research. He will also provide ongoing research mentorship through the Atlas Lab as data collection continues through February 2027.
What the Research Tracks
Solo Sojourn launched the social listening program in February 2026. The program tracks online conversation across five topic areas:
- Solo women travelers and their experiences
- RV travel and workamping among women
- Florida public lands discussion
- Travel safety concerns for solo travelers
- Women’s travel community formation online
Moreover, the program uses two platforms to collect data each month. TalkWalker provides broad web coverage. Brandwatch supplies specialist X/Twitter monitoring. Together, they give Solo Sojourn a fuller picture of where these conversations happen.
What the Data Is Already Showing
“The platform divergence we are seeing between these two tools is itself a finding,” said founder Jolene MacFadden. “Conversations about solo women travelers happen in very different places depending on the platform. That directly shapes how we build the app and who we need to reach.”
In addition, the research supports MacFadden’s graduate thesis at the University of Florida. Her thesis examines how digital platforms can reduce information gaps for solo women travelers. The Solo Sojourn Trail app enters beta testing in summer 2026.
A Step Forward in Partnerships
The Atlas Lab collaboration is the first of several partnerships Solo Sojourn is developing. The project actively pursues relationships with advocacy organizations, public lands agencies, and corporate sponsors who serve women over 50. Furthermore, Solo Sojourn is building connections with workamping coordinators at Florida State Parks to support its database of 183 locations.
Organizations interested in partnering with Solo Sojourn can submit an inquiry through the Partnerships page.
Solo Sojourn is a Florida-based technology platform designed to help solo women travelers safely explore camping and workamping opportunities on public lands. The Solo Sojourn Trail app launches fall 2026. Learn more at solosojourn.org/newsletter.