The Library Blog

Edinburgh Napier University Library blog. Filled with useful and fun blog articles on using the Library, the University, Edinburgh and many other fun topics.

Tag: education

University mental health Day

University Mental Health Day

13/03/2026 / / 0 Comments

University Mental Health Day

University Mental Health DayThe twelfth of March 2026 marked the 18th annual University Mental Health Day, a day dedicated to raising visibility of mental health issues among student communities, and to combat stigma associated with discussions of mental health.

Originally started by members of the University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN). University Mental Health Day has been held every March since 2008 and has grown to cover campuses across the UK, with mental health activist group Student Minds officially becoming involved since 2012.

So, to mark this year’s University Mental Health Day, we’re going to talk a little about this year’s UMHD theme and tell you about all the ways that Edinburgh Napier can support your mental health during your time studying with us.

This Year’s Theme

Every year, a new theme is selected to focus that year’s University Mental Health Day events. For example, 2024 was centred around the theme of anxiety, with an emphasis on the scenarios students encounter that can cause them to feel anxious, and discussing the techniques students can learn to manage their anxiety.

This year’s theme is human connection, focusing on the issue of university students reporting increased feelings of isolation, and the role of student communities in combatting these feelings of isolation. Despite how large the student population is, government reporting indicates that many students have experienced increased feelings of loneliness over the past few years, along with a fear that they would be judged by others if they express these feelings. This is despite the same government studies indicating that the vast majority of students wouldn’t want to judge others for feeling lonely, highlighting how important it is to reassure students of the support they can get in their own community.

University Mental Health Day at Edinburgh Napier

SMHA

Here at Napier, we have our Student Mental Health Agreement (SMHA) created in collaboration between our Counselling and Wellbeing staff and the members of the Edinburgh Napier Student Association (ENSA) to lay out the goals and activities for both teams and to guarantee the mental health services the university provides to the student population.

You can learn about the SMHA (and read it for yourself!) on the NapierStudents website.

The current edition of the SMHA has been in place since 2024, ensuring that the university offers a range of services through our Counselling & Wellbeing team to support students during their studies. These include counselling services, single session therapy services where students can discuss a specific issue they are having, as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy aimed at helping you tackle unhelpful thought patterns.

You can learn all about these services on the MyNapier Wellbeing, Support & Inclusion page, where you’ll also find contact details for our Wellbeing support teams and links to pages that will explain our wellbeing resources in greater depth.

Togetherall

Also, as part of the SMHA, the university provides all our students with access to Togetherall. A 24/7 online community where you’ll have access to free online support, allowing you to talk with others and receive advice in a safe and anonymous environment.

Fittingly for this year’s theme, one of the main goals of the 2024-2026 SMHA is to help nurture a sense of community and belonging in the student population through increasing participation in student-run events and student clubs/societies.

Clubs & Societies

Speaking from experience, becoming involved in a university club or society can be a great way to connect with students who have similar hobbies and interests to you. Some of the greatest friendships I have come from my own participation in different university clubs during my undergraduate studies. I’ve no doubt that many of you who aren’t currently involved in any clubs would benefit from doing so.

You can see what clubs and societies are on offer at Napier at the ENSA website. I’d also recommend the ENSA Events Calendar to see if there are any upcoming student events that might catch your interest.

The Library

Additionally, we have our Wellbeing Collection at each of our campus libraries, with books advising you on how to look after your mental, emotional, and physical health. Furthermore, several members of our library team are trained mental health first aiders, prepared to offer you support whenever you need it.

So please, if you’re ever feeling lonely during your time at Napier, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

By Matthew Ferrie

Read more about wellbeing on the blog with our article: Wellbeing in the library

Image of lady playing the bagpipes for International Bagpipe Day

International Bagpipe Day

10/03/2026 / / 0 Comments

International Bagpipe Day

What comes to mind when you think of Scotland? Whisky? Tartan? Or perhaps it’s bagpipes with their unique sound and playing method. This instrument is synonymous with Scotland’s culture and identity. It is known for rousing tunes at events and parades and haunting laments at funerals and memorials. Although we tend to think of bagpipes as a Scottish instrument, there are actually many variants to be found across the world.

Composition

Bagpipes today exist in many forms throughout the world, but the ones we see here in Scotland consist of the following:

Mouthpiece – This attaches to the bag and sits on the top of it to allow access for the player.

Bag – All other parts of the instrument are attached to the bag. Traditionally, the bag was made of cowhide or sheepskin, but is now often made of synthetic materials.

Drones – Scottish bagpipes have three drones, which determine the pitch of the instrument. They have small holes at the tips to allow the air to escape. By applying pressure to different areas of the bag, players can control the airflow and produce varying sounds.

Chanter – This section of the bagpipes produces the melody. It protrudes from the bag, pointing downwards. The player can use both hands up and down the chanter to produce different notes.

Playing method

Bagpipes are a musical woodwind instrument with reed pipes and an air bag. The player inflates the bag by blowing into a blowpipe. They then squeeze the bag under their arm, emitting air into the pipes to play them. The drone pipes make a continuous droning sound, while the higher-pitched chanter pipe produces the melody. This creates a unique sound that is instantly recognisable.

Origin and history

Prior to the 13th century the origins of the instrument are uncertain, but a Hittite slab sculpture provides visual evidence that bagpipes may have been around at least 1000 years BC. It is thought that they may have originated in Egypt or the Middle East. Starting out with just one drone and a chanter. From there, they appear to have spread through Europe. The Greeks and Romans had the earliest written references. In the 13th century, references to bagpipes appear in Europe. The earliest reference in a British text seems to be in the Canterbury Tales, written around 1380.

Medieval religious carvings and sculptures depict pipers. In 1314 bagpipes were played at the Battle of Bannockburn, but in a different form from today’s pipes. Until the 1500s, a single drone was used, with a second one being added, then a third. Giving us the pipes as we know them today, from the 1700s onwards. Highland clan chiefs employed pipers to motivate their troops in battles. But after the 1745 Jacobite rising, bagpipe playing was banned in Scotland as they were seen as an instrument of war. Played in secret until the ban was lifted, bagpipes were again to find a place in warfare. Highland regiments formed after 1745 revived the tradition of pipers playing their comrades into battle in the early 19th century, and this continued throughout World War One, when they led troops “over the top” out of the trenches onto the battlefield. The death rate amongst pipers was extremely high: it is estimated that around 1000 pipers died in World War I. Pipe bands featuring drummers as well as pipers are still important in the military today, taking part in all types of parades for events and royal visits. Military pipe bands also feature in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which has taken place at Edinburgh Castle esplanade since 1950. Bands from all over the world entertain sell-out crowds during August. Over the years, the show has been enhanced with projections and visual effects, making a truly spectacular presentation.

World Pipe Band Championships

Running since 1947, the World Pipe Band Championships is currently held on Glasgow Green with pipe bands from across the world competing for the coveted Grade One title. Any pipe band can enter and take part in the qualifying rounds to make it to the final and win the competition. Until 1987, the title was won by Scottish pipe bands, but since then, bands from Canada, Ireland and Australia have scooped the title.

Events

Today, some events wouldn’t be the same without a piper or pipe band. Highland games have bands playing between events, and a single piper will play at the highland dancing competition so that the dancers have music to perform to.

At weddings in Scotland, there will often be a piper at the entrance to a church or venue providing music while guests arrive for the ceremony. They will also play as the bridal party emerges from the ceremony and pipe the bride and groom into the wedding reception. Pipers are also called upon to play at funerals, playing laments such as Sleep Dearie, Sleep, which was played at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. A lone piper concluded the queen’s funeral, playing a lament and walking into the distance through the chapel, creating a very poignant scene. Pipers also often feature in Remembrance Day parades and wreath-laying ceremonies on 11th November each year.

Another event where you are likely to see a piper is Burns suppers celebrating the birth of poet Robert Burns. Taking place on 25th January, there are readings of Burns’s poetry and a meal of haggis, potatoes and turnip. The haggis is brought out on a platter and is piped into the room.

Now, many towns in Scotland have pipe bands which turn out for local parades and events such as gala days, when there are parades along the main street of the town, which will often be led by the town pipe band with floats and children in fancy dress following behind.

Modern music

Bagpipes are usually associated with traditional music, but they have featured in modern music too. Bagpipes feature in Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney and Wings, Stingin Belle by Biffy Clyro and It’s a Long Way to the Top by AC/DC.

Taking a very modern twist on the bagpipes are the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, who play rock and pop songs along with traditional Scottish tunes.

If you would like to find out more about bagpipes or traditional Scottish music, you can use Library Search help you do so.

 

 

Healthy Eating Guide for Students image of lots of healthy foods on a plate

Healthy Eating Guide for Students

02/03/2026 / / 0 Comments

Healthy Eating Guide for Students

When preparing for exams and assignment deadlines, it is particularly important to feed and fuel your body as well as your brain. Eating well and eating satiating meals is essential for boosting your cognitive function, concentration, memory and energy levels when studying – many studies have shown that eating a satiating breakfast on the day of an exam and staying adequately hydrated can boost exam performance and results.

With regards to the basics of healthy eating, you should ultimately ensure that you are eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. As we care about your academic career and aim to help you get the best out of your studies, we have put together this blog post on how to utilise food as fuel to help maximise your chances of achieving the best grades possible, as well as get the best out of university life and your time with us here at Edinburgh Napier University, too!

The 5 key elements of healthy eating

There are at least five key elements of eating a healthy diet:

Water

After all, we are made up of 70% water! Particularly, our brains and blood which is 90% water. A typical guideline for staying adequately hydrated is to drink at least 2 litres of water a day. It helps us to flush out toxins from our bodies, aid our digestion and avoid experiencing the often-debilitating side effects that come with dehydration, such as fatigue, dizziness, impaired concentration, lower energy levels and headaches. You can get roughly 30% of your required daily fluid intake by consuming lots of fruit and vegetables; however, it is recommended that you also drink lots of fluids as well, with water being the most efficient and cost-effective option. Herbal and fruit teas are also a good source of hydration.

Fibre

This is essential for your gut health, a healthy digestive system and regulating bowel movements as well as your blood sugar levels. Since a majority of your immune system is based in your gut as well, this makes fibre a stable part of keeping your gut bacteria healthy, as well as your immune health. Most of us generally do not get enough fibre in our diet – you need at least 30g to reach the recommended daily intake. Nevertheless, a diet high in fruit and vegetables can help reach this, followed by foods such as brown rice, brown pasta, wholegrain or rye bread, beans, pulses, lentils, nuts and seeds. Most of these can be incorporated into a variety of meals, such as curries and casseroles.

Fats

Fat is a fundamental element of a healthy diet – we need it for our bodies to produce hormones, which reduce inflammation. Examples of good-quality fats include olive oil, nuts such as almonds and peanuts, oily fish such as salmon and sardines, and avocados. Saturated fats are okay in moderation – these include fatty cuts of meat and poultry, butter, cream, cheese, and baked goods. These do offer some health benefits themselves, but too much can heighten your risk of stroke and heart disease.

Protein

This macronutrient is essential for maintaining muscle mass, healthy skin and bones as it acts as a vital building block which aids with growth, immune and cell function, repair and enzyme/hormone production. It also provides a satiating source of food, which keeps us fuller for longer. Some of the best quality sources of protein include the following: Milk, eggs, yoghurt, chicken, turkey, beans, pulses, nuts, seeds, fish and seafood, beef and soya (a good dairy alternative)!

Colour

As the saying goes – eat the rainbow! You should try to eat a variety of different coloured foods as they each offer a range of different benefits for your health as well as disease risk reduction. For example, orange and yellow fruits such as mangos, carrots, sweet potatoes and peaches contain carotenoids which our bodies convert into vitamin A – an essential nutrient for maintaining our eye health and vision, immunity, skin health and cell growth.

Red, blue and purple fruits and vegetables have various properties that are preventative against some forms of cancer – blue and purple ones are also thought to be preventative against dementia as well. Some examples of these fruits and vegetables consist of tomatoes, apples, black grapes, plums, blueberries, aubergine and red berries.

Then there’s green foods such as kale, spinach, broccoli and cucumber, which support your vision, keep your bones strong and can be preventative against some forms of cancer as well as blood clotting.

Recommendations

We have some great reads and recipe books if you are looking for some inspiration and to improve your nutritional intake. All of these titles can be found and requested through our LibrarySearch catalogue.

  • Cooking on a bootstrap: over 100 simple, budget recipes. Monroe, Jack (Journalist), author. 2018. Available at Craiglockhart, Merchiston and Sighthill Campus Libraries.
  • Eat Up! Tandoh, Ruby, author. 2018. Available at Craiglockhart, Merchiston and Sighthill Campus Libraries.
  • The female factor: making women’s health count – and what it means for you. Wallace, Hazel, author.; Mayson, Lizzie, photographer (expression); Food medic, associated with work. 2022. Available at Sighthill Campus Library.

You can find more recommendations in our Wellbeing Collection, and why not check out the Virtual Relaxation Space too?

By Rachel Downie

Photo by Vanessa Loring on Pexels

Women’s History Month 2026: Leading the Change Toward Sustainability image of 4 female scientists

Women’s History Month 2026: Leading the Change Toward Sustainability

01/03/2026 / / 0 Comments

Women’s History Month 2026: Leading the Change Toward Sustainability

March is Women’s History Month. Every year, we take time to celebrate the contributions of women. We also learn from their leadership, reflect on progress and the challenges still before us. This year’s official theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”

Women Shaping a Sustainable Future

Sustainability means more than saving energy or planting trees. It reaches into economics, social justice, climate adaptation, technology, and culture. The National Women’s History Alliance chose this year’s theme — Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future — to highlight women whose work makes systems stronger, smarter, and fairer. Their leadership shows that people and the planet can thrive together.

Environmental Innovation and Renewable Energy

Women across the world are inventing new clean energy solutions that power homes and protect ecosystems. Inna Braverman, a co-founder of Eco Wave Power, built technology that generates electricity from ocean waves, expanding renewable energy options beyond wind and solar. Her company has installed grid-connected projects in ports and coastal regions.

Reyhan Jamalova started Rainergy while still a student. Her system harnesses rainwater to generate electricity for communities with limited power access, offering an affordable, low-emission alternative to traditional grids.

Work like this showcases how women take leadership far beyond advocacy — they create tangible technology that delivers sustainable power and expands energy access.

Engineering Resilience and Sustainable Infrastructure

Engineering for climate resilience means designing systems that withstand floods, heat, and storms. Women in fields from architecture to civil engineering are redefining resilient infrastructure.

The Society of Women Engineers highlights projects like Living Breakwaters in New York, which reinforce shorelines against storm damage while rebuilding ecosystems and community space.

Architect and sustainability consultant Chinwe Ohajuruka uses bio-climatic design and solar housing in Nigeria to build affordable homes adapted to local climates, making communities safer and more energy-efficient.

Landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom integrates nature into cities so they handle climate risks more effectively. Her projects in Bangkok capture and reuse stormwater, reduce heat, and add public food-producing spaces, turning flood-vulnerable areas into productive urban ecology.

These real examples show how resilience is both a technical challenge and a creative one — requiring people who think beyond concrete into ecosystems and communities.

Economic Sustainability and Business Leadership

Sustainability also connects to business transformation and economic justice. Across industries, women executives drive corporate decisions that shift investment toward climate-friendly solutions.

One sustainability leader in finance, Marisa Drew, directs strategies that support renewable infrastructure investment and reduce emissions through large-scale financing commitments. This work brings needed capital to innovations around the world that fight climate change.

Female entrepreneurs like Susan Blanchet, whose company Origen Air creates plant-based rooftop systems to clean indoor air, show how sustainable products can reshape our built environment and reduce health risks from pollution.

These efforts prove that sustainability is not only technical but economic — building markets that reward environmental responsibility and enhance community wellbeing.

Education, Advocacy, and Inclusive Policy

Educators and advocates play a crucial role in preparing the next generation. Women climate scientists and climate policy experts educate global audiences and influence leaders to adopt equitable sustainability policies. A thought leader in sustainable development has helped bring systems-level climate thinking into mainstream conversations through books and global forums.

Advocates for equity ensure that climate policies include voices from historically underrepresented communities. Their work makes sustainability inclusive, emphasising that long-term environmental goals must align with social justice.

Health, Community, and Cultural Change

Social sustainability — including health, equity, and community resilience — receives increased attention thanks to women leaders pushing for better systems. Initiatives in public health and community organisation help ensure that climate impacts and economic shifts don’t disproportionately burden vulnerable groups.

Cultural influence amplifies sustainability goals. Artists, writers, and filmmakers use narrative to expand awareness about climate justice. These cultural tools help shape public values and encourage broader public participation in sustainability efforts.

Women of Edinburgh Napier University

Dr Emily Alder: Academic associated with the Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science; interests include education for sustainable development and environmental humanities (e.g., coasts/seas).

Dr Gráinne Barkess: Local lead for the Scotland Beyond Net Zero hub at Edinburgh Napier University and Head of Research Environment and Services, with involvement in net-zero/ sustainability research coordination.

Sophie Gerrard: Lecturer and documentary photographer focusing on environmental and social themes (environment-linked research and teaching).

Dr Carolina Costa Pereira: Her research interests lie in renewable energy, energy conversion systems, heat transfer problems and latent heat thermal energy storage for different applications.

Sustainability Beyond March

Women’s History Month offers a moment to recognise leadership, but the work continues year-round. Partnerships between sectors such as engineering, business, education, government, and community groups are essential.

Sustainable systems succeed when multiple voices shape how they evolve. Inclusion ensures that solutions are effective and just. Young innovators and seasoned leaders from all intersectionalities can collaborate, exchange knowledge, and scale impact together.

Toward a Balanced Future

Women leading sustainable change demonstrate that systems innovation and human wellbeing can coexist. Their achievements, whether through renewable energy technology, resilient design, economic leadership, or social advocacy, reflect a holistic approach to sustainability.

History and the present moment both show that sustainability isn’t a solo effort; it’s a collective challenge that requires creativity, courage, and collaboration. Women’s contributions, in every sector, strengthen our ability to face climate, social, and economic challenges with resilience and vision.

Women’s History Month 2026 invites everyone to participate in this work. Not just to celebrate progress, but to accelerate it.

By Juliet Kinsey

Read previous articles on Scottish women in Science here.

International Children's Book Day AI generated image of a child with a book grinning

International Children’s Book Day

02/04/2025 / / 0 Comments

International Children’s Book Day

Unlocking Imagination and Knowledge in Children

April 2nd is a day filled with wonder and imagination. It’s International Children’s Book Day! This special day celebrates the joy of reading and honours the power of stories to shape young minds.

The Origins

International Children’s Book Day was first celebrated in 1967. It was established by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY). The date was chosen to honour Hans Christian Andersen, the famous Danish author known for timeless tales like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling.”

Why Reading Matters

Books open doors to new worlds. They spark creativity and teach valuable lessons. For children, reading is not just about words on a page. It’s about adventures, dreams, and learning about different cultures and experiences. Reading helps develop language skills, boosts imagination, and improves concentration. Plus, it’s a great way for families to bond.

The Role of Illustrations

Illustrations play a crucial role in children’s books. They enhance the storytelling experience, making it more engaging and easier to understand. Vibrant pictures help young readers visualize characters and scenes, aiding comprehension and memory. For early readers, illustrations provide context clues that support word recognition and vocabulary development. We have lots of great books on illustration including this one: When we were young : two centuries of children’s book illustration

Famous Children’s Books

  • “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling
  • “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White
  • “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
  • “Matilda” by Roald Dahl

These classics have inspired generations and continue to captivate young readers. What are some of your favourite children’s stories? Comment below

The Power of Reading

Reading isn’t just fun. It helps build empathy and critical thinking. When children dive into stories, they step into different perspectives and learn about kindness, bravery, and friendship. With the help of beautiful illustrations, stories come alive and leave a lasting impact on young minds.

So have a Happy International Children’s Book Day. Perhaps you might want to write your own one day. If so check out lots of great resources at librarysearch.napier.ac.uk.

By Juliet Kinsey

read more fun posts on our blog such as: Books that shaped you

Banner image for Books that Shaped you National Library of Scotland’s 100th birthday

Books that Shaped you

20/02/2025 / / 0 Comments

Books that Shaped you

The National Library of Scotland’s 100th birthday

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the National Library also asked people to share the books and publications they love called Books That Shaped You. They will be exhibiting many of these next recommendations in the summer; celebrating books and the value of libraries around the country

The National Library of Scotland is hosting a special exhibition called Dear Library. Created in partnership with organizations across the country, this heartfelt tribute to libraries is designed to inspire, engage, and ignite your passion for these vital spaces. You’ll walk away with a fresh appreciation for what libraries offer and how you can support them.

Their exhibition space will be transformed into an open reading room, featuring bookshelves filled with recommendations from the public and well-known Scottish personalities. Explore the portrayal of libraries and librarians in popular culture, discover protest banners and badges from library advocacy movements, watch vintage film footage that brings historical libraries to life, and much more.

To celebrate the National Library of Scotland’s 100th birthday some of our Edinburgh Napier University Library staff have shared books that have inspired or shaped them.

Emi

The Maiden by Kate Foster

A book I enjoyed the most this year was “The Maiden” by the Scottish writer Kate Foster. The story happens in Edinburgh and Costorphine during the 17th century and it has been publicly described as a piece  “inspired by a real-life murder trial, with a feminist revisionist twist”.

Personally, her book has allowed me to enjoy a genre, Historical Fiction, that normally wouldn’t be my first choice. The highlight of the book is the diverse range of women that lead the story and how their particular personal/socio-economical background pushes them towards their own decisions and consequences (sometimes for survival reasons, others because of how much they want to thrive or because they can’t bear the hypocrisy around them anymore!). Let’s keep in mind that the story happens in a period when being and developing as a woman, in public and in private, was very challenging.

I enjoyed the book very much and I have discovered very recently that the book was Winner of the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect Award 2022 and the Bloody Scotland Crime Debut of the Year 2023.

You can purchase this book at Topping and Company independent bookshop

Kieran

The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien

My choice of book would be The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien. It’s Flann O’Brien’s second novel proper – it’s funny, intriguing, absurd and experimental all at the same time. O’Brien (the pen name of Brian O’Nolan, a civil servant by day) wrote for a variety of publications in his lifetime  – most notably as a satirist for The Irish Times – but this novel is, for me, his best work. Upon its belated publication in 1967, it became a cult hit, and was featured famously in an episode of 2000s survival drama Lost and influenced a host of Irish writers and musicians in the years since. O’Brien was largely underappreciated as a novelist in his own lifetime but was subsequently recognised as a pioneering postmodernist writer. His tone is what I love the most about his writing – deadpan and hilarious.

Rachel

Breaking Night by Liz Murray

‘Liz Murray, the protagonist of this inspiring memoir, overcame so many difficulties, hardships and challenges throughout her childhood and lifetime. Her courage and determination to change her life for the better is remarkable. Despite being faced with many adversities such as poverty and deprivation, homelessness, and the loss of her mother at a young age. This book was a very insightful, powerful, and inspiring read and moved me to tears throughout various chapters. I had originally borrowed it from our library but ended up purchasing a copy to keep on my bookshelf as a reminder of the power that courage, kindness and community can hold, particularly during difficult times and periods of adversity.

Borrow Breaking Night from the Library or grab your own from a bookshop.

Juliet

Eichmann in Jerusalem by Hannah Arendt

I know this is a dark choice, but it feels very of the moment and is a book that really reshaped how I thought about evil. I read this in my early twenties when it was easy to view everything as black and white. This book helped me to see the complexity of the subject and opened up so many questions about what it is to be complicit in harm without ever physically committing an act of violence. I also found the bravery of the author who was Jewish to be inspiring.

Eichmann in Jerusalem is a political and philosophical analysis of the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a key organizer of the Holocaust. Based on her coverage of the 1961 trial in Jerusalem, Arendt explores how Eichmann, rather than being a monstrous villain, appeared as an ordinary bureaucrat blindly following orders. She introduces the concept of the “banality of evil,” arguing that great atrocities can be committed not by fanatical individuals but by thoughtless, rule-abiding functionaries. The book examines moral responsibility, justice, and the nature of evil, sparking significant controversy and debate. You can borrow a copy from the Library, find it using Librarysearch.

Local Libraries and Independent Bookshops 

Local libraries are essential for fostering literacy, lifelong learning, and community engagement. They provide free access to books, digital resources, and educational programs, making knowledge available to everyone, regardless of their background. Libraries also serve as community hubs, offering study spaces, events, support for students and low-income members of the community, children’s programs, and help for job seekers. By utilizing and supporting local libraries, we help ensure they remain a vital resource for future generations. So why not join today. Edinburgh Libraries are amazing and there are many to choose from. Join here!

Supporting independent bookshops helps sustain local businesses and strengthens communities. These shops offer curated selections, personalized recommendations, and a welcoming space for book lovers. Unlike large online retailers, independent bookshops champion diverse voices and authors, often hosting events that bring people together. Why not check out some of Edinburgh’s many bookshops. It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

What books inspire you?

Tell us in the comments books that have inspired you, we would love to hear your recommendations.

Read more on the blog about book recommendations here

Head bust of Charles Darwin wearing goggles

Charles Darwin Day

12/02/2023 / / 0 Comments

Charles Darwin Day

What an adventure! Virgin jungles, unclimbed mountains, teeming oceans, tropical rainforests, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes – Charles Darwin saw it all on his five-year voyage around South America. And all the time the young gentleman naturalist was exploring the pristine wildernesses and the unexplored islands, he was taking assiduous notes, writing up his observations more than 20 years later.

Nothing escaped his notice: the flatworms, spiders, and parasitic ichneumon wasps fascinated him every bit as much as the giant tortoises and the massive bones of extinct beasts that he strapped to his horse and hauled back to his study.

He explored, observed and thought about it all. The primaeval world in all its glory and grotesqueness was laid out before him. By the end of his trip, he’d written a 770-page diary, 1,750 pages of notes, and collected nearly 5,500 skins, bones and carcasses. But it wasn’t only the natural world that impressed itself upon Darwin’s consciousness. He saw naked poverty and the horrors of slavery and genocide up close and personal. He realised, once and for all, that nature – including every manifestation of human behaviour – was not the result of a benign creator but rather a long journey through adaptation and evolution.

Natural Selection

No wonder he blew apart the received wisdom on the origins of creation when he published his “On the origin of species by means of natural selection” in 1859. It sold out immediately and rocked the scientific and religious communities to their very foundations. Those reverberations are still being felt today.  

Something that is perhaps unknown is that Darwin had a strong connection to Edinburgh. It was while studying medicine at Edinburgh University that Darwin learned how to classify plants, stuff birds and identify rock strata and colonial floral and fauna.

It’s Darwin’s birthday today. He was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire on 12th February 1809.  Why not celebrate by reading all about him and his works. (I’ll be honest – I’m starting with “Darwin for beginners”.)

By Lesley McRob

Sources and further reading 

Photo by Misael Moreno

Further reading available on LibrarySearch

Read our blog post on another Victorian trailblazer names Charles: Charles Dickens 

International Women day banner

Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day

08/03/2022 / / 0 Comments

“Imagine a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women’s equality.

Collectively we can all” #BreakTheBias.

(Source: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/)

History of International Women’s Day

It’s International Women’s Day! A global celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women. It took place officially for the first time on March 8, 1911 in Denmark, Austria, Germany and Switzerland (Source). Coinciding with the female suffragette movement at the time.

The United Nations started sponsoring International Women’s day in 1975 and the United Nations General Assembly stated it was…‘To recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security (Source)

March has since become the celebratory month of women’s contributions to history, science, culture and society. It started off as a week celebrated in California and eventually became a celebratory month recognised globally. The 1960s saw an increase in feminism movements which brought more attention to achievements and contributions made by women throughout history.

Break the Bias

This year’s theme is “Break the Bias”. It is asking us to stand up to the bias we see in the world and to take action! Read more on International Women’s Day at www.internationalwomensday.com/

Here at Edinburgh Napier University, there will be a number of activities taking place to show our support. We have an event on Women Working in Films & TV, this is an opportunity to network and to hear from a panel of experts in this field. The event takes place on Tuesday 8 March 2022, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Glassroom at our Merchiston campus. More info here.

The ENU Women’s Network is inviting colleagues, irrespective of gender identity, to join them as they build on the network over the coming months. You can learn more and get involved here.

Further Reading

Want to know more about some amazing Scottish Women who have made incredible contributions, read our article Wonder Women of Scotland. Also, check out our other articles on Women’s History and Women in Science :

Women in Science

Women’s History

Women in Engineering

 

By Maya Green and Juliet Kinsey

The Ethiopia Timkat Festival

19/01/2022 / / 0 Comments

The Timkat Festival

Christmas is a distant memory for most of us, but for Ethiopians, Christmas is a whole season that’s just coming to an end now. Ethiopia was one of the first countries in the world to adopt Christianity, and as such it adheres to the ancient traditions that sit at the heart of its Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Timkat, celebrated every year on the 19th of January, is one of those traditions, possibly the most important in the Church’s calendar.

The Amharic word timkat means “baptism”, and the festival marks the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan.

Preparations

Timkat is a huge deal and a seriously religious festival. Preparations for this spectacular event, possibly one of the biggest and most colourful on the African continent, begin on the 18th, when “tabots” – models of the  Ark of the Covenant – are wrapped in fine cloths and carried on the heads of priests down to the river or other place of worship. Local people don white shawls – Ethiopians wear white when they go to church – and follow the procession.

The Festival

Mass starts in the early hours of the 19th and continues for hours. When Mass is over, the water is blessed and the congregants take to the rivers, submerging themselves in a re-enactment of Christ’s baptism. Of course, it’s a happy occasion and that means the celebrations go on all day and are accompanied by feasting and music.  As well as eating their favourite Timkat food, Ethiopians celebrate important occasions with elaborate coffee ceremonies.

On the 20th, the tabots are carried back to the churches in another procession that marks the end of the festival.

One of the best places to observe Timkat is the town of Gondar, home to the 17th century castle built by King Fasilides. In the grounds of the castle is a huge open-air bath. The bath is usually empty, but during Timkat it’s filled with water and the locals dive in. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to visit Ethiopia over the festive season. I missed Timkat by a couple of weeks. When I visited King Fasilides castle it was empty. Next time I go, I’m definitely going for Timkat, and I’m taking my swimming costume.

Want to learn more about other traditions from around the world? Read our article here.

By Lesley McRobb

International Women in Engineering Day

23/06/2021 / / 1 Comment

We’ve come a long way since Evelyn Roxburgh graduated from Heriot-Watt College in 1923 with a diploma in electrical engineering – the first woman in Scotland to qualify as an electrical engineer. Evelyn spent much of her career in Metropolitan Vickers, one of the biggest engineering companies in the country.

And then there was Langholm-born Dorothy Buchanan who, in 1927, became the first female chartered engineer registered by the Institution of Civil Engineers and worked on engineering projects as far-flung as Sydney, Kharthoum and Belfast.

Nevertheless, there is still a huge gender imbalance in the scientific industries, and that’s why we need an International Women in Engineering Day. Now in its 8th year, INWED aims to raise the profile of women in engineering and inspire women and girls all over the world to enter the industry.  INWED is celebrated on 23rd June all over the world. See here for what’s happening in the UK.

Despite boys and girls having an equal interest in science and technology in their school years, only around 25% of workers in the STEM sector are women. Equate Scotland aims to help change this. It works with further education institutions, employers and students to develop women’s scientific expertise, skills and confidence. Find out about them here

Here at Edinburgh Napier, 20% of our staff and students in the School of Engineering & the Built Environment are female. We welcome girls and boys of all backgrounds.  Why not join us? Find out more here

 

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