Please note, this launch event is by invitation only. For enquiries, email innovation@napier.ac.uk

The Surf Lab is a pioneering research partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and Lost Shore Surf Resort and will officially launch at the Lost Shore Surf Resort on Monday 27 October 2025. 

The Surf Lab brings together researchers, students, athletes, and industry leaders to explore how surfing can drive better health, stronger communities, and innovation across sport, tourism, and sustainability.

This cross-sector event will showcase:

• The vision and impact of The Surf Lab
• Lost Shore’s world-class facilities
• Opportunities to collaborate with Edinburgh Napier University, The Surf Lab and Lost Shore
• Guest speakers from academia, industry, and public service
• A chance to network with peers across sectors
• Optional Lost Shore experiences for early bird registrations

This is a unique opportunity to discover how Surf Lab can support your goals through research, innovation, and partnership.

This event is by invitation-only. If you work or have research interests in this field, please email innovation@napier.ac.uk

Guest speakers

Professor Gary Hutchison, Assistant Principal, Edinburgh Napier University

Professor Gary Hutchison is Assistant Principal at Edinburgh Napier University with a portfolio focussing on engagement with external stakeholders, including government, public bodies, education, business and the third sector. 

Professor Hutchison is the University’s lead for the Borderlands Region and City Deal Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project and Chair of the University Environmental Sustainability Strategy Board of Governance. Professor Hutchison has been an independent scientific advisor to the UK Government for over 13 years and currently holds membership of key committees for the Food Standards Agency and the Department for Business & Trade. 

Professor Hutchison held the post of Dean of Applied Sciences, for a period of 10 years, responsible for the teams that formulated the collaborations that led to the Lost Shore/Surf Lab collaborations.  

Professor Susan Brown, Head of Sport Engagement, Edinburgh Napier University

Professor Susan Brown is passionate about turning research into real-world impact in sport and physical activity. From her early career supporting athletes with sport science, she has gone on to shape workforce development nationally and across the UK, helping organisations strengthen teams, improve practice, and create meaningful change.

Her expertise in biomechanics and human movement has supported both elite athletes on their Return to Play journey and clinical communities seeking to improve quality of life. She has led innovative collaborations with national and international partners and co-developed the Scottish FA Innovation Hub, advancing knowledge exchange and innovation for wider societal benefit.
A national leader in sport education and workforce development, Susan champions employability and student experience through strong industry partnerships. At Edinburgh Napier University, she leads Innovation and Enterprise within the School of Applied Sciences, and at University level, leads on Sport Engagement building connections that deliver lasting impact, both internally and externally.

Andy Hadden, Founder and MD of Lost Shore Surf Resort

Andy Hadden is the founder of Lost Shore, Scotland’s first inland surf resort and home to Europe’s largest wave pool. Located near Edinburgh, the resort opened in November 2024 as Scotland’s largest sports infrastructure project since the Commonwealth Games. 

With a background in insolvency and investment surveying, Andy secured major institutional funding to bring the resort to life. He also owns The Lighthouse, a coworking business in North Berwick and whilst that business is also growing rapidly, it lies under separate management, allowing Andy to continue to allocate his time and resource to Lost Shore stabilisation and growth.  Andy also sits on the board of the Scottish Surfing Federation. 

Dr Jamie Marshall, Research Fellow and Health Innovation Lead at The Surf Lab, Edinburgh Napier University

Dr Jamie Marshall is a research fellow at Edinburgh Napier University who specialises in community based approaches to supporting positive mental health. He started his professional career by founding the Wave Project in Scotland, supporting hundreds of local young people facing mental health challenges through surfing. Building on this ‘in the field experience’ Jamie undertook the world’s first PhD explicitly exploring the mechanisms underlying surf therapy. He is also Co-Founder the Edinburgh Napier University Surf Lab.

Examples of post-doctoral work includes as the evaluation lead at the Take 5 Programme developing sports based community mental health approaches LMICs and post conflict zones, Social and Health Innovation Lead at the upcoming Lost Shore Surf Resort in Scotland, and longstanding board member for the International Surf Therapy Organization.

Dr Brendon Ferrier, Co-founder & Academic Lead of The Surf Lab, Edinburgh Napier University 

Dr Brendon Ferrier is a leading academic at Edinburgh Napier University, specialising in sports science and biomechanics, with a particular focus on surfing. He holds a BSc, an MSc in Biomechanics, and a PhD from Edith Cowan University, where his doctoral thesis, ‘Characteristics and Determinants of Aerial Surfing’, provided significant advancements in the field. He also earned a second MSc in Sports Medicine from the University of Glasgow.

As a lecturer and co-founder of the Surf Lab at Edinburgh Napier University, Dr Ferrier has established a key research facility. This lab, in partnership with Lost Shore Surf Resort, uses Europe's largest wave pool to study various aspects of surfing, including performance, product design, surf therapy, and adaptive surfing.
Beyond his academic and research roles, Dr. Ferrier held the position of Head of Performance Support for Scottish Surfing, where he recently stepped down, and has collaborated with organizations like Surfing Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport to provide sports science expertise. This work has cemented his status as a prominent figure within the surf science field, blending academic rigor with practical application to advance both the scientific understanding and the community of surfing.

Maggie Reid, Business Development and Relationship Manager, Edinburgh Napier University 

Maggie supports the growth of the business engagement pipeline, stakeholder management and knowledge exchange income for the School of Applied Sciences (SAS) and the School of Health and Social Care (SHSC) at Edinburgh Napier University.

Her work includes developing external partnerships for research collaborations, CPD courses, consultancy projects and commercialisation opportunities.

International Surf Therapy Organization’s (ISTO) inaugural annual global conference

Prior to the launch of The Surf Lab, the International Surf Therapy Organization’s (ISTO) inaugural annual global conference will take place in Edinburgh, from 22 to 26 October 2025.

Find out more >