Red Triangle Magazine | Page 8

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. 8 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 9