Session Details – Wed 13th March, LRC5

This event has now taken place. See Powerpoint slides below.
The in person day of the Researcher Skills Forum will take place in Sighthill LRC5. See where to find us.


10.40 – 11am Registration and tea/coffee


11 – 11.45am Welcome and Research Culture
Dr Gráinne Barkess, Head of Research Environment and Services

Dr Barkess will open the day with an exploration of research culture and how we can foster an environment of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity in our research activities. The session will open discussions on how we can all contribute to the research culture at Edinburgh Napier University.
We will follow this with an interactive World Cafe where you will have the time to explore what Research culture means to you through discussion with your peers.


11.45am – 12.30pm Academic Publishing
Maria King and Catriona Robertson, Subject Librarians

This session will give an overview of some of the key considerations for both book and journal publishing, including finding relevant journals to publish in, open access publishing, negotiations with publishers to ensure the library can purchase copies of your books, and knowledge of the Scottish Universities Press.

Powerpoint Slides (PDF)


12.30pm – 1.30pm Lunch and Research Café
Come for a free lunch, meet other researchers, and find out about the support available to you as a researcher at Edinburgh Napier University. The Research Café will be a fun and interactive fair-style event with stalls from support services throughout the University. Take part and win a Love2Shop voucher!


1-30pm – 2.30pm Careers Panel – How to get jobs and build your career
This panel session will introduce an interesting variety of career stories, as well as ENU Career Development Consultants – each bringing their unique perspective and sharing their personal stories and experiences.

  • Dr Sam Illingworth is Associate Professor in the Department of Learning and Teaching Enhancement with internationally recognised expertise in higher education, interdisciplinary studies, and science communication.
  • Mahsa Nikoufar is an Urban Technologist passionate about cities, entrepreneurship and the circular economy. Also a TEDx speaker, and One Young World Ambassador. Currently a research student at Edinburgh Napier.
  • Dr Jill Sutherland is an External Projects Officer within RIE, and provides post-award support for research and commercial projects in SCEBE. She has a background in neuroscience and tissue repair, and worked in the trial management team for the MND-SMART clinical trial, where she was involved in all aspects of project management for an externally-funded multi-site clinical research project.
  • Emma Hill is a Career Development Consultant. The team designs and delivers employability programmes to prepare students for applying for work experience and graduate opportunities. They also provide one-to-one career guidance appointments to students, graduates and researchers at all stages.

2.30 – 3.15pm Transform your presentations
Steve Yorkstone
Business Improvement Consultant
Steve Yorkstone is renowned for his facilitation skills and expertise in enhancing communication within academic and professional settings. Bringing a wealth of experience from diverse fields, he offers unique insights into the art of presenting complex ideas with clarity and impact. Participants will leave the session with refined presentation techniques, ready to communicate their research more effectively and engagingly. Are you ready to transform your presentations into a compelling narrative to captivate and inform?


3.15 – 4pm Networking and close