Horizon Europe: A Principal Investigator’s Reflections on Bidding for and managing Horizon projects

3 May 2024CBISS Eventssukanlayasawang

Wednesday 8th May 2024 12.30-12.30

CRL 2/05 Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh, EH14 1DJ

Securing funding through Horizon Europe is an intricate journey that demands strategic navigation and comprehensive understanding. As the flagship research and innovation program of the European Union, Horizon Europe offers unparalleled opportunities for groundbreaking projects across various domains. However, effectively competing for these grants requires more than just a compelling proposal; it demands a holistic approach that encompasses strategic planning, consortium building, and a keen understanding of the evaluation criteria. This presentation delves into the intricacies of Horizon Europe bidding from the perspective of a Principal Investigator (PI).

Speaker Bio:

Dr Nicholas Vasilakos is Associate Professor in Sustainable Business Economics and Public Policy at the University of East Anglia. He is also a faculty member of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, faculty member of the Responsible Business Regulation group at Norwich Business School, a member of the International Association for Energy Economics and the British Academy of Management, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Over the last 20 years Nicholas has held a number of research appointments in top UK-based and international research organisations and universities, including among others, the University of Birmingham, King’s College London and the World Bank. Nicholas has substantial experience in engaging with industry and government organisations alike to help them achieve their long-term objectives.

Nicholas’s research focuses on the nexus of social justice, net zero and sustainable development. More specifically his recent work has explored: (1) the effects of regulation and regional/national policy frameworks on innovation and market behaviour; (2) the effectiveness of policy intervention on issues relating to climate policies, economic activity and distribution of wealth. Nicholas’s work has been cited by various government and inter-governmental organisations, including the US Treasury, the World Bank, the United Nations and the OECD. Nicholas has authored several articles on these subjects in leading economics- and policy-related journals. He received the 2012 Campbell-Watkins Energy Journal best paper award from the International Association of Energy Economics.

Over the years, Nicholas has raised over 20 million euros in research income (about half of it in the last 6 years – both as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator). His research on climate impacts, climate services and adaptation to climate change is supported by the European Commission (most recent grant agreements 776868 and 101081377 ).

Navigating the Business Side of Football: Insights from a Unique Management Programme

22 April 2024Theme: Innovation in Management Educationsukanlayasawang

This is not a course about football as most people think about the sport. We don’t discuss tactics or matches but view football clubs as complex businesses. Players are seen as employees but also as assets. Player contracts are amortised over time but the person may be a cultural architect or assassin. Most fans are customers but not all are. Not all customers are fans as the products on offer vary from match attendance, club TV packages, event space in stadiums as well as players sold to competitor clubs.

Confused? That’s a perfectly healthy place to start as in this programme. You need to be ready to challenge everything that you thought you knew about football.

The step into a management role is difficult in most industries as your technical expertise may help you solve some problems but not many. You move from a large independent role into an interdependent one, where your ability to build a network is crucial for your survival. You tend not to make that difficult transition in public but you do in football. Relatively few new managers survive a full season in their first job and half of those leave the game completely afterwards.

Scottish football has a long tradition of producing skilled technical coaches but this course focuses on the challenges of managing part of a complex organisation. It has been said that playing football is relatively simple. Players focus on their own game and they are given the information they need for the next challenge. Overnight, a person can go from making sure that they turn up at the right place at the right time to being responsible for 20-25 people turning up at the right place and time. In some cases, dealing with those who do not arrive as scheduled. If you take on management or coaching responsibilities at the same club where you played, you leave the safety of the players’ WhatsApp group. Those who were friends are now your players who you may need to leave out of the team. You are now required to deal with the players, coaches, other staff and the businesspeople at the club. Very quickly new managers realise that there is a gap between responsibility and authority. You do not only have to manage a team of players but learn to manage ‘up’ and ‘across’ within the organisation. Within a small part-time club, you may have a much broader range of responsibilities that at one of the high-profile clubs.

Dr Stevie Robertson is the architect of the programme and draws on a unique set of experiences as leader in IT projects, long-time involvement in Edinburgh Napier University football club across a range of roles and his doctoral research into the business strategies with Scottish football. Stevie has a wide range of teaching experience, including commercial workshops, to draw on. The course was originally designed to be face to face but quickly moved to a virtual delivery during Covid. The decision was been taken to keep the virtual sessions as it makes it possible to recruit players across the country. It also allows players to take part when playing for their national team.

The course is funded by the players’ union in Scotland (PFA Scotland) and Scottish Union Learning so attendance is restricted to their members. The course runs from August to March (30 weekly sessions) and numbers are restricted to a maximum of 15 to encourage discussion. The academic content is used as a discussion focus to allow the participants to share their own ideas and experiences.

Participants are drawn from all 4 professional men’s leagues and the top division in the women’s game. Without name-dropping, many of the participants are household names. The women who have taken part have played around 250 matches (and counting) for Scotland between them and all have played in the Champions League. Many of the men who have participated

have played international football, including at the World Cup, have captained teams in national Cup Finals, some have scored winning goals in those finals. Many have played in England while others have experiences in other countries. Players have won leagues, been relegated and others have experienced clubs in administration. While those stories and experiences remain in the rooms where they were shared, they do broaden the knowledge of others especially the delivery team.

Stevie is able to use his broad business knowledge to facilitate on most of the sessions but the experience of James MacDougal makes the session on Football and the Law makes for an excellent session. We also make use of the experience of Luke Shanley from Sky Sports to explore the role of the media. It is one of the most enjoyable sessions and easily the longest. All students are required to formally present solutions to problems using theory as a base. Many have found this beneficial. Where possible, this is done in person in the Board Room at Craiglockhart.

The benefits of participation within the course can be seen in the number of participants who are moving successfully from playing to post-playing roles. There are several participants in Manager and Assistant Manager roles in full-time clubs. Others are continuing to develop their leadership skills in elite academies across Scotland. Some of those involved have moved into roles outside of football as the course is designed to help those who are looking to move away from careers with a little more security. An informal mentoring network has grown over the years, and this allows us to gauge impact of the sessions as well as develop the material for the future.

When you ask Stevie if this works, his reply tends to be “That’s not for me to say. When I go to a Scottish Cup Final and I’ve worked with both managers, then I’ll know it’s worked.”

The programme is being shortlisted for the Herald Higher Education Awards for outstanding business engagement in universities! The Herald Scotland Higher Education Awards is a prestigious annual event that celebrates excellence and innovation in higher education throughout Scotland. It provides a platform to acknowledge exceptional achievements, contributions, and initiatives within the academic community.

Revealing the True Toll of Unpaid Overtime

9 April 2024Theme: Business Innovation and Future Workforcesukanlayasawang

Insights from our CBISS member Dr. Eleni Papagiannaki

In today’s fast-paced work world, where the 9-to-5 grind has morphed into something more flexible but also more demanding, Dr. Eleni’s latest findings shine a light on the hidden costs of working overtime without pay, giving us a glimpse into its real impact on workers today.

Dr. Eleni’s research uncovers a widespread practice of unpaid overtime among millions of UK employees. According to data from worksmart.org, backed by the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), more than five million workers routinely put in extra hours without getting paid for them, adding up to a staggering £31.2 billion worth of unpaid work in just one year. This eye-opening figure lays bare the significant strain this puts on the UK’s workforce.

But what exactly is “unpaid” overtime? Dr. Eleni’s study dives into the complexities, questioning how fair it really is and what it means for workers’ rights.

One of the biggest challenges highlighted by Dr. Eleni is the lack of consistency in how overtime is defined across different industries and employers. This inconsistency makes it hard to measure just how much unpaid work is being done and the impact it has on both individuals and the economy.

And it’s not just about the hours worked—it’s also about the expectations that come with the job. With the UK exempt from the European Working Time Directive, many workers find themselves in a culture where putting in extra hours is just expected, with little to no compensation. Dr. Eleni’s research makes a strong case for policymakers to step in and ensure fair treatment for all workers.

By bringing attention to the hidden costs of unpaid overtime, Dr. Eleni’s work urges us to rethink how we value workers’ time and effort. By reimagining pay structures, working hours, and productivity standards, policymakers have a chance to create a more balanced and sustainable work environment for everyone.

In short, Dr. Eleni’s research gives us a glimpse into the challenges of unpaid overtime and why it matters. By highlighting her findings, we can start working towards a future where workers are properly compensated for the time they put in.

Research Romance: Finding Your Scholarly Soulmate

3 April 2024CBISS Eventssukanlayasawang

We are delighted to extend an invitation to the upcoming event, “Research Romance: Finding Your Scholarly Soulmate”. Following our introduction of the new research centre for Business Innovation and Sustainable Solutions (CBISS), it is now time to connect individuals with research passions to CBISS and discuss how CBISS can collaborate with you to enhance your research output and impact.

Have you found yourself in any of the following situations?

You may have some data or a paper draft lying dormant for a while, and feel unable to progress alone.

You may have research ideas or interests but lack the know-how to pursue them independently, seeking like-minded individuals to drive the research agenda together.

You may be seeking an external research grant but lack industry partners.

You may be looking for creative ways to generate different research impacts but are uncertain how to proceed.

This event is akin to a first date, offering you the opportunity to find like-minded research collaborators or special teams to complement your current research journey. While solo research can be successful, collaborative teams can help optimise time and resource limitations. Additionally, connecting with like-minded teams will help you explore creative avenues to enhance your research impact.

Join us and discover who could be your soulmate in research!

Date: Tuesday 23^rd April 2024

Time: 11.00-13.00

Location: CRL 1/10

Governance Matters Networking Event

3 April 2024CBISS Eventssukanlayasawang

Wed 24 Apr 2024 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM BST

Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, 219 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh, EH14 1DJ

Attention all governance professionals! Centre for Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions (CBISS) cordially invites you to an exclusive networking event designed to cultivate connections within the governance community. Join us as we highlight Edinburgh Napier’s unparalleled expertise in this critical field.

Click here to register

Minority but mighty: showcasing the sustainability practices of minority businesses

3 April 2024CBISS Eventssukanlayasawang

17th April 2024
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

We’re delighted to extend our invitation to you for our upcoming event, “Minority but Mighty,” where we’ll shine a spotlight on the sustainability practices of minority-owned businesses. Hosted by Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (SIG Entrepreneurship in Minority), and Centre for Business Innovations and Sustainable Solutions (CBISS), Edinburgh Napier University. At “Minority but Mighty,” we’ll celebrate the innovative solutions minority enterprises have implemented to contribute to a more sustainable future. Join us as we delve into strategies successfully employed by minority-owned small businesses, explore industries where minority entrepreneurs are making significant strides, and discuss the transformative impact minority business enterprises have had.

Please click here to register.

Unlocking Sustainability: A Guide to the Circular Economy for SMEs

3 April 2024CBISS Eventssukanlayasawang

Date: Wednesday 10th April 2024

Time:

8.30am breakfast networking

9.00am – 11.00am workshop

Location: The Business School Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus Room CRL 2/09 (Level 2) 219 Colinton Rd, Edinburgh EH14 1DJ

Ready to take your business to the next level with the circular economy? Join us for an exclusive workshop hosted by the Edinburgh Napier Business School and the Centre for Business Innovation and Sustainable Solutions (CBISS).

This engaging and interactive workshop is designed specifically for forward-thinking SMEs ready to pioneer the circular economy. You’ll gain actionable strategies and insights on embedding sustainable practices into your core business model, perfectly aligning with ambitious global Net Zero goals.

Workshop Highlights:

Expert-Led Sessions
Interactive Workshops
Real-Life Case Studies
Resource Optimization Strategies
Policy Support and Incentives

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your business and lead the charge towards a sustainable future. Register now and unlock the potential of the circular economy for your business!

Unlocking Sustainability: A Guide to the Circular Economy for SMEs

18 March 2024Theme: Circular Economy, Sustainable Consumption and Supply Chainssukanlayasawang

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, sustainability has become a key focus for businesses of all sizes. One concept that has gained significant attention in recent years is the circular economy. But what exactly is the circular economy, and how can small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from adopting this approach?

What is the Circular Economy?

At its core, the circular economy is a regenerative approach to resource management. Unlike the traditional linear economy, which follows a “take-make-dispose” model, the circular economy aims to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible.

In a circular economy, resources are reused, repurposed, and recycled, creating a closed-loop system that reduces environmental impact and promotes sustainability. This shift towards circularity is driven by the recognition that our current linear economic model is unsustainable in the long term, leading to resource depletion, pollution, and climate change.

What Does it Mean for SMEs?

For SMEs, embracing the principles of the circular economy presents a unique opportunity to drive innovation, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness. By adopting circular practices, SMEs can:

Minimise Waste: By designing products with longevity and recyclability in mind, SMEs can reduce waste throughout the product lifecycle.
Maximise Resource Efficiency: By embracing practices such as remanufacturing, refurbishment, and recycling, SMEs can extract more value from existing resources and minimise the need for virgin materials.
Reduce Environmental Impact: By reducing reliance on finite resources and minimising carbon emissions, SMEs can contribute to environmental sustainability and combat climate change.
Enhance Brand Image: Consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the products they purchase. By adopting circular practices, SMEs can differentiate themselves in the market and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

How Can SMEs Adopt the Circular Economy Approach?

Transitioning to a circular economy model may seem daunting, but there are practical steps that SMEs can take to embrace this approach:

Rethink Product Design: Design products with durability, reparability, and recyclability in mind to extend their lifespan and minimise waste.
Embrace Reuse and Recycling: Explore opportunities to reuse materials, components, and products within your supply chain, and implement recycling programmes to minimise waste.
Collaborate with Stakeholders: Partner with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to close the loop and create circular value chains.
Invest in Innovation: Explore innovative technologies and business models that enable circularity, such as product-as-a-service and sharing platforms.
Educate and Engage Employees: Foster a culture of sustainability within your organisation by educating employees about the principles of the circular economy and empowering them to take action.

Join Us for a Transformative Workshop

Workshop Highlights:

Expert-Led Sessions
Interactive Workshops
Real-Life Case Studies
Resource Optimization Strategies
Policy Support and Incentives

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your business and lead the charge towards a sustainable future. Register now and unlock the potential of the circular economy for your business!

Contact person: Associate Professor Miles Weaver

Exploring Visual AI Humanoids: How They’re Changing Our World

15 March 2024Theme: Enterprise Data Intelligence & Analyticssukanlayasawang

"Artificial Intelligence & AI & Machine Learning" by mikemacmarketing is licensed under CC BY 2.0. — “Artificial Intelligence & AI & Machine Learning” by mikemacmarketing is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

In today’s high-tech world, mixing artificial intelligence (AI) with robots is creating some amazing new things. One of the coolest inventions is visual AI humanoids – robots that can see and think a bit like humans, but in their own robotic way. These robots are super smart and can do lots of things, which is great news for businesses and society.

Understanding Visual AI Humanoids

Visual AI humanoids are robots with clever AI brains that can see what’s around them. They have special cameras and smart computer programs that help them understand what they see. They’re good at recognising objects, understanding gestures, and talking to people.

Great Opportunities for Businesses

Visual AI humanoids, a fusion of artificial intelligence and robotics, are reshaping our society in remarkable ways, offering new possibilities for businesses and industries. These robots can assist customers in stores, improve manufacturing efficiency, refine advertising strategies, and enhance healthcare services.

In retail, they greet customers, offer assistance, and facilitate transactions, enhancing the overall shopping experience. Within manufacturing, they undertake tasks such as quality control and inventory management, collaborating with human employees to streamline operations. In advertising, they assess consumer preferences to deliver tailored messages, enhancing engagement. Within healthcare, they aid medical professionals by monitoring patients and providing assistance during procedures, leading to improved patient care.

Benefits for Everyone

Visual AI robots can help people who struggle with daily tasks due to disabilities. They make places more accessible for them, making life easier. These robots also help keep public areas safe by watching out for potential dangers and alerting authorities if needed.

Moreover, they’re great for teaching kids in a fun way. They can make learning enjoyable by playing and interacting with children, helping them learn better. Overall, these robots are helpful in various situations and can make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Facing Challenges

Despite the promising capabilities of visual AI humanoids, there are valid concerns that warrant attention. The potential invasion of privacy and the ethical implications of their actions raise significant questions about their widespread adoption. It is imperative to carefully assess the consequences of integrating these robots into various aspects of society, considering the potential risks and unintended consequences they may bring. Additionally, the dependence on visual AI humanoids could potentially lead to job displacement and exacerbate existing inequalities in society. Therefore, while acknowledging their potential benefits, it is essential to approach the deployment of visual AI humanoids with caution and foresight, ensuring that ethical and societal considerations are given due diligence.

Get Involved

If you’re interested in discovering how emerging technology, data analytics, and progressive policies are shaping your industry, why not subscribe and join CBISS? You can connect with us on Twitter @mycbiss or LinkedIn . Our researchers at CBISS are conducting exciting work and are keen to share their insights with you. Join us to learn and collaborate!

Empower Your Business: A Mini-Sprint Workshop for SMEs with Funding Opportunities

3 February 2024CBISS Eventssukanlayasawang

Wed 28 Feb 2024 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM GMT

Are you a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) owner or manager grappling with business challenges? Are you looking for innovative solutions and support to overcome these hurdles? We have just the right opportunity for you! Join us in our dynamic, interactive workshop where we employ a mini-sprint approach to help you uncover potential solutions.

The Mini-Sprint Approach

Our workshop employs a mini-sprint method, inspired by Google Ventures Sprint. This condensed version of the one day process is tailored specifically for SMEs, providing rapid, targeted solutions to your business problems.

Why Should You Attend?

Innovative Problem Solving: Harness the power of collaboration, creativity, and rapid problem-solving to transform your business challenges into opportunities.

Resource Optimisation: Learn how to navigate and utilise government funding and university knowledge to your advantage.

Networking Opportunity: Connect with other SME owners and managers, share experiences and build valuable relationships.

Who Should Attend?

SME owners and managers who are encountering challenges across various business functions. Whether you’re struggling with marketing strategies, IT implementation, fostering creativity, strategic management, human resources, employment relations, finance management, logistics, adoption of emerging technology, or cultivating leadership and a positive culture, this workshop is tailored for you.

If you’re seeking innovative solutions to these complex problems and ready to elevate your business to new heights, do not miss out on this opportunity. Join us and transform your challenges into opportunities for growth.

What’s In It For You?

Targeted Problem Solving: Whether your challenges lie in marketing, IT, HR, finance, logistics, emerging technology adoption, leadership or culture, our workshop is designed to address them all. Our experienced facilitators guide you through a focused process to identify, analyse and tackle your most pressing issues.

Government Funding Insight: We’ll walk you through various government funding opportunities that can provide financial support to your problem-solving initiatives. Learn how to access and maximize these resources to bolster your business.

University Knowledge Utilisation: Discover how to leverage academic expertise for the benefit of your business. We’ll show you how to tap into university knowledge bases to support your solutions and drive innovation in your enterprise.