Adam Purvis,
BDes (Hons) Consumer Product Design, 2008
“I came to Edinburgh Napier because of its hands-on approach to teaching a subject
I grew to love – Product Design; and the magic mix of its location in an amazing vibrant
city, its entrepreneurial culture and staff and its international student population.
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“I worked with a lot of people who believed in me and gave their help unconditionally. It was an amazing
experience. It’s a place to find out what you are really good at and a place that encourages, supports and
pushes you to be the best you can be. If, like me, you live outside the box, it’s the sort of place that will not
try and put you back in it; they are more likely to try and help you build a much bigger box.
“Edinburgh Napier gave me space to explore, an enlarged skillset and the opportunity to study and work
in China, all of which have made me much better at what I do.
“Within two years of graduating I was offered a partnership in a really cool branding agency and I’m now
proud to be running my own business, Power of Youth, which works with leading young entrepreneurs from
all over the world. I love a lot about my work. I enjoy the autonomy, building and working with the team,
working with entrepreneurs, traveling and making money! It can be really scary running your own business,
but it is well worth it.”
In 2010 Adam received the award of Young Alumnus of the Year.
Emily Yarrow,
BA (Hons) Business & Management, 2009
“Edinburgh Napier allowed me to develop a strong theoretical foundation in business as
well as complete an internship with a blue-chip company and study abroad for a semester
in Sweden. Combined, these activities all allowed me to develop academically, professionally
and personally and pursue my studies in a contemporary way, blending theory with practice.
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“My most significant academic achievement was winning the Newcastle University Business School prize
for best dissertation in 2010. My greatest personal achievement was swimming the Malta Gozo channel,
also in 2010.
“I recently changed my career path from being a Buyer with Procter and Gamble specialising in chemicals
and packaging materials from the Far East, to pursue a career in academia. I am currently researching
the impact of national research evaluation on academic careers in the UK and the forthcoming Research
Excellence Framework (REF). The most challenging aspect of my work is keeping up-to-date with policy
amendments, though this ensures that the research remains current and relevant. I am also working
towards my PhD within the