CULTURE & COMMUNITIES at Edinburgh Napier

Edinburgh Napier University’s expertise has impacted on culture and communities through research and teaching on creative industries, festival management, policing, life after military service, and recognition as a worldwide authority on tourism. Through our research and teaching our students and staff engage directly with communities. As Scotland’s #1 modern university, our research aims to tackle today’s challenges and make a difference.

We have dedicated research centres in: tourism; arts, media and culture; creative practice; mind and creativity; and military research, education and public engagement. We want to work in partnership with communities and cultural organisations to solve problems. That is why our pioneering applied expertise in these fields is sought worldwide.

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Creative Approaches to Inspire the Cyber Security Workforce of the Future

When the Cheltenham Science Festival was looking for innovative new ways to engage wider audiences and inspire a new generations of cyber security professionals, it engaged with Edinburgh Napier for our creativity and curatorial expertise to develop an interactive cyber security themed drop-in zone, ‘The Arcade’.

Case Study

Breaking Boundaries in introducing Sustainable Practices to Festivals

Managing festivals in a sustainable manner is an enormous challenge for the industry. Our experts have collaborated globally and developed a Sustainability Toolkit for festival organisers worldwide to use, providing essential practical guidance on how festivals can play their part in tackling the climate crisis.

Case Study

Celebrating Festivals of the Future

Through our flexible and bespoke CPD provision, we are exporting our festival management expertise so that the vibrant festivals of Gulf countries can become socio-economic contributors to their economies.

Case Study

Improving Staff Recruitment and Retention in the Tourism Industry

Recruitment and retention of staff within the Scottish tourism industry has been an ongoing challenge for the sector for a number of years. The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) partnered with Edinburgh Napier University tourism researchers and experts to conduct a review on issues across the tourism industry.

Two tourists up a hill pointing at our Dynamic Earth building

Case Study

Our Destination Leaders Programme

Effective leadership is consistently identified as a key driver of growth for all business sectors, but tourism faces particular challenges, given the range, scale and mix of businesses that need to work together to deliver a great visitor experience. Working in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, we created and delivered the award-winning, academically-accredited CPD course, Destination Leadership Programme.

Case Study

Supporting Veterans to Transition to Civilian Life

Edinburgh Napier’s Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement collaborated and led a thorough review into the transition journey from military to civilian life in Scotland. Their concluding report made a series of recommendations across four key areas: policy, practice, education, and research.

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A Hub for Mountain Biking Innovation

The Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, a partnership between Edinburgh Napier, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Cycling, is based in Glentress, near Innerleithen. It is the world’s first centre for open innovation in the mountain bike industry and helps businesses access consumers and tap into academic expertise.