Annual conference celebrates student research at the Business School

External building at Criaglockhart campus in the autumn sunshine.

Each year the Business School hosts a Student Research Conference to celebrate excellence in student research at Edinburgh Napier University. Now in its 15th year, the virtual event took place on Tuesday 17 May with students, academic staff and guests coming together from around the world to learn more about research undertaken in the Business School.

Researchers at the University were joined by guest keynote speaker from the University of Wolverhampton Business School. Vadim Grinevich, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Joint Head of Research, opened the day by discussing their work titled “Making sense of the Ivory Tower, it’s inhabitants and their connections with the outside world”. Vadim reflected on the place of the university in the economy and society. Attendees then joined Vadim for a Q & A session. 

Research students were invited to prepare a presentation or poster to share their research at the event, which sparked discussion and provided opportunities for students to share their experience of conducting and publishing research. A wide range of fascinating and insightful topics were covered, from financial shocks to social enterprises and conformity bias. 30 research students shared their experiences through presentations and posters. 

The event concluded with a prize giving, with six students receiving recognition for their presentations and posters that were shared on the day.  

Presentation prize winners

Alan Brooke (Year 1 and 2) shared insights from their research titled “Is Music Still the Food of Love?: A Qualitative Exploration of the Nature of Meaning within the Process of Creation”. Using a dynamic ‘Observant Participant’ ethnographic approach, the study will explore the art vs commerce debate.  

Halah Alattas (Year 3 and 4) presented their study titled “Overeducation in the Arab Labour Markets, the Role of Credentials”. The research conducts a comparative analysis of overeducation in Arab labour markets, utilising the Labour Market Panel Surveys for Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia.  

Runner up for the presentations was Scott McCrossan with their research titled “Cloud Financial Management within the Scottish Local Authority Sector: Developing a Sustainable Financial Governance Model”. The aim is to explore the financial impact of the adoption of cloud technologies to develop a sustainable cloud financial governance mode. 

Poster prize winners

Asma Qazi’s (Year 1 and 2) showcased their study in a creative, medieval inspired poster. Asma’s research study titled “Financial Exploitation and Usury in Medieval Era Literature” aims to view existing literature from a different lens to open more ways for researchers and historians in future.  

Hong Xiang (Year 3 and 4) outlined the objectives, methodology and key findings in their poster. Their study titled “A Complex Digital Transformation Challenge” will contribute to strategic talent management, AI readiness theory and business practise development. 

Runner up in the poster hall was Hamideh Shahidi with their research titled “Evaluating the Destination Image of Iran and its Influence on Revisit Intention”. The aim of the study, which uses a mixed methodology, is to evaluate the Destination Image from the perspective of European cultural travellers.  

The conference came shortly after the University announced becoming the Number 1 Scottish Modern for research power and impact when the Research Excellence Framework 2021 results were published. The Student Research Conference was a fantastic event to follow these results, celebrating the student researchers making an impact now and in the future in our vibrant research community.  

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the event! 

Explore more Business School research on our website.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *