Research Spotlight on
the Business School
The Business School is committed to undertaking
research that is directly relevant to industry, the
economy and the needs of society. With an applied
focus led by policy and practice, our research is of
national and international significance. Here we look
at two areas of research currently being undertaken
at the Business School.
Alumni in the News
Royal Recognition
for Photography Graduate
New research into employer responses to dementia in the workplace
R
esearchers from The Business School are carrying out
research on employer responses to dementia in the
workplace in Scotland.
The research is funded by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of
Scotland and is led by Professor Jill Stavert, Director of the Centre
for Mental Health and Incapacity Law, Rights and Policy. It involves
colleagues from the Employment Research Institute at Edinburgh
Napier University, the University of the West of Scotland and
Heriot-Watt University.
P
The exhibition was officially
opened by The Duke and
Duchess of Rothesay as part
of the Edinburgh International
Fashion Festival in June.
W
hen hit TV series
Outlander first landed
on our TV screens
in 2014, Edinburgh Napier
graduate Claire MacKay found
success as a consultant
herbalist for the show.
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Spotlight on Research
Professor Paul Barron
“Harris to Paris
explores Scotland’s
national and
international character
and is a story about
people, craftsmanship
and how a traditional
Scottish island
connects to a global
fashion industry.”
To find out more visit:
www.harristoparis.com
Sowing success as Outlander Herbalist
Professor Anna Leask
Initial work started with internal University funding and focused
on UK visitor attractions, then, via external funding, expanded to
include hotels, casinos and attractions in Hong Kong, Macau and
Singapore.
Recently the research has focused on the management of ‘Lates’
events hosted at museums. These events are adult-only, afterhours and entertainment-orientated events that also include a
light learning message, developed with the aim of encouraging
ongoing engagement between younger visitors and the museums.
Building on a close relationship that has been developed with the
National Museum of Scotland, the research is now investigating
the value of such events and how this relationship with younger
audiences is developing.
Martin Powell (BA (Hons)
Photography, Film & Imaging,
2008) along with Malcolm
Buick, Art Director and Mike
Benson, Writer, brought their
stunning exhibition, Harris to
Paris, to Edinburgh, where it
was exhibited at the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel from June August 2016.
Speaking about their
exhibition, Martin and the
team said:
Under law, employers have to ensure that their employees are
treated fairly regardless of age and disability, and employees
are able to ask their employer to make reasonable adjus tments
to help them continue working. The research will explore how
employers support employees with dementia, helping the team to
understand whether employers are meeting their legal obligations.
Tourism research - engaging new
audiences at heritage attractions
rofessors Anna Leask and Paul Barron have been
researching how heritage attractions can attract new,
younger audiences to visit. Several studies have been
conducted in the UK and Asia, looking into what makes the Gen
Y demographic distinct and what businesses can do to become
more relevant and attractive to this non-traditional visitor.
T
hree Scots now living
in New York decided to
share the story of tweed
from the crofts of Harris to the
couture houses of Paris.
Professors Paul Barron
To find out more about our
innovative tourism research, visit:
napier.ac.uk/tourism
Claire first became interested in
herbal medicine after spending
some time teaching English as
a foreign language in China.
When she returned to Scotland,
she decided to study Herbalism
(a course that ran at the time)
at Edinburgh Napier.
It was after graduating that
Claire founded Herbal Heritage
Scotland, a centre to aid
research and keep the herbal
tradition of the Highlands alive,
taking inspiration for her work
from various outlets including
Gaelic medical manuscripts,
Gaelic culture, writer Mary
Beith and research conducted
by the late Agnes Walker.
If, like us, you’re eagerly
awaiting the return of
Outlander for a third series,
be sure to check out Claire’s
own brand of heather tea,
Slàinteach, Gaelic for “in good
health”.
Alumni in the News
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