ENU and Texas A&M Study Exchange 2024

During the spring 2024 term, four of our students went to Texas A&M University on a study exchange trip. The students are on Edinburgh Napier’s Festival & Event Management, Tourism Management, and Hospitality Management programmes. They spent some time working alongside a business in Texas as part of the Live Project Module, and likewise some Texas A&M University students spent some time in August in Edinburgh.

The project team consisted of Dr Afiya Holder, Dr David Jarman, and Slawek Staniszewski, Global Mobility Officer in International Operations from ENU. Dr. Donna Lee Sullins and Prof. Brian King coordinated and led the project on behalf of Texas A&M University.

So what is it like to travel to Texas for a Live Project? Hear directly from the four ENU students who shared with us their thoughts on the experience below. Thanks to Bethany Tait (International Hospitality Management with Festivals and Events), Claudio Pigozzo (International Tourism Management), Cerys Fitzgerald (International Festival and Events Management), and Dean Jenkins (International Festival and Event management).

students standing together in front of building

Question: Why did you apply and how did you secure for such an amazing opportunity?

Bethany: I knew that I had to apply as it would be such an amazing experience and a great way to gain knowledge of the industry within a different country.”

Claudio: “The opportunity to work closely with an organization in Texas and Texas A&M college students came suddenly. I didn’t think twice before applying and immediately started writing my application form.”

Cerys: “I was given the opportunity to apply for the live project in partnership with Century Square in Texas [a multi-use retail and leisure facility] in Texas at the start of 3rd year. In order to be considered I had to write a short essay which explained why I would be a good fit for the trip and how it could benefit myself and my experience.”

Dean: “I was reading the IFEM bulletin which I would normally do as it always has great opportunities then I spotted that there was a project and a trip to Texas being organised as part of the live project module which I had chosen. I applied but I wasn’t expecting to be a part of the project as there were only four places available so when I got told the news that I got a place I couldn’t believe it as I had always wanted to go to the USA so doing it with university made it even better as I knew that it would be worth something and not just a holiday.”

Question: What are your thoughts on the Live Project module and how has this shaped your learning experience and professional development?

Bethany: By being given the opportunity to work with and provide recommendations for a business it enabled myself to finally put my degree to use and know that all the hard work over the past three years is paying off and that I do have the skills to work in a real-life environment. This module has enabled myself to develop my professional skills and learn a lot about the inner workings of professional environments.”

Claudio: “The Live Project module is an incredible experience for students who can finally implement what they have previously studied and use and discover their own skills. Working with a live organization puts you in a position to see things from the perspective of the business owner or manager, and experience their stress, to improve or find appropriate solutions for the business.”

Cerys: “I learned how to work well within a team, distributing the work evenly to ensure no one felt under pressure with the workload. In a professional sense I got an insight into what can differ between a business in the US compared to ones in the UK and how they can do things slightly differently.”

Dean: “I found the actual module interesting and challenging at times, but I enjoy a challenge, so I thoroughly enjoyed working on the project. This module has definitely helped my future goals as I have made international contacts in which I can use when I graduate.”

Question: In what ways has this experience inspired your future goals/plans in Tourism, Hospitality, Festival and Events or Marketing?

Bethany: “This experience has taught me that within the industry the most beneficial factor is networking with other students, universities, and businesses to gain knowledge and contacts worldwide.”

Claudio: This experience made me understand that despite your age, background, or belief, you can achieve incredible things in life. I met so many people, with different experiences and backgrounds, different passions, different paths, but the same desire to learn and make a difference.”

Cerys: My plans for after graduation has always been to travel and work internationally. Doing this live project has shown me that it is something that is indeed possible and that I would be able to do it with the experience that I have already gained through this opportunity.”

Dean: This experience has really opened my eyes to what opportunities are out there in terms of different events and universities.”

Question: What were some memorable moments related to the module but also beyond the classroom?

Bethany: “A memorable moment within the classroom would be the initial receival of the project brief, it was exciting as a group to gain information on the company and brainstorm initial ideas for the objectives we had been given. (…) The professors at Texas A&M were incredibly welcoming and also invited us along to the hospitality scholarships banquet.”

Claudio: “I think every minute of this module, the project, the meetings, the trip, was memorable. I will bring these memories forever with me. I met and worked with fantastic people with whom we shared thoughts, discussed and come up with interesting ideas. I had the opportunity to attend class at an American University and understand what life on campus really is, their culture, tradition and the spirit of belonging, something incredible…. Truly an unforgettable experience.”

Cerys: Some of my most memorable moments from this module have to learning all about Texas and Century Square but then getting to actually experience it. Although my academic experiences come from the classroom, the real life experiences and moments came from the trip itself.”

Dean: “… the banquet that Texas A&M students were hosting, I networked with so many different people from different backgrounds and professions.”

Question: What life skills do you think came to light post-trip?

Bethany: “Improved confidence, adapting to new cultures”

Claudio: Problem solving, teamwork and organizational skills.”

Cerys: “Communication and collaboration”

Dean: Teamwork, networking skills and communication”

Question: What advice would you give future students about taking the Live Project module?

Bethany: “The best advice would be to thoroughly communicate with all team members, it is really important to ensure you all have the same work ethic and maintain styles of work throughout the report and presentation. I would also say to just enjoy the experience as much as possible and remember that your supervisor and the other module lecturers are always there to support your experience and make sure it goes as smoothly as possible.”

Claudio: My advice is to take the Live Project module as a real work experience, never be afraid to express ideas and always listen to criticism and learn from it, you learn by making mistakes.”

Cerys: “Just enjoy it! The live project can become stressful at points as it is a lot to in a short period of time. My advice would be to embrace the experience to its full potential, and all will work out in the end.”

Dean: “…that the dynamic in your project team is crucial so I would recommend getting to know a little more about your teammates outside the classroom.”

Student in front of campus backdrop

CPH:DOX : Innovative, globally aware and a proud reflection of Danish culture

Written by Nancy Dionne

CPH:DOX sign

CPH:DOX banner hanging in the streets of CopenhagenImage of traditional colourful Copenhagen buildings

Hello from Copenhagen!

CPH DOX is an early documentary film festival, meaning that it occurs in March well before most of the others for both fiction and nonfiction. More programmers are attending this early festival to help them plan their own focus or themes, as well as to feel that they have a first glimpse into what topics are going to be most “top of mind” for the year. The festival screenings are also open to the public and non-industry people can
attend these and hear the Q&A’s afterwards with many Directors and Producers. Fun for all!

CPH DOX has become one of the “hottest” tickets due to its early “sneak peak” and as a reflection of Danish culture, is innovative and open way that it approaches its Official Selections. The festival honors the art of filmmaking, being visually pleasing to the eye and prides itself on being globally aware. The ability for industry to come together just after Sundance in a more intimate way to connect, combined with the delicious food and drink and welcoming hospitality of Copenhagen, is a bit like a solid pre game huddle with your favorite teams. The festival centers at the “Hub” located in
the city center at the lovely Kunsthal Charlottenborg and acts as a home base.
Banners and posters can be seen city wide overhead, on walls and even fences as
seen from the photo above. This year, 2,645 delegates registered (up from 260
from last year) which included industry, filmmakers, and students of film for the
private and intimate events. The public numbers of who attended the film screenings were over 125,000, with over 27 (yes 27!) venue/theaters spaces across the city to choose from, allowing the festival to come to their own neighborhoods to experience together and for out of towners to in turn, experience many
neighborhoods and different aspects of Copenhagen. Each delegate is given a badge that is connected to their program, film tickets and events to
make it more hands free for: FORUM, Conference, LAB, Symposium, Market, Academy, Delegates and all film screenings. There was also a VR event mixed in with the more traditional style of filmmaking.

Film posters displayed outsideChairs set up with globe-like lamp shades aboveCamp style chairs inside with red lightingTemporary yet colorful lecture style chairs and couches are set up and the design changes each year, to allow for more intimate conversations and a cozy feel throughout the Hub and other various rooms dedicated to those who are gathered.

Panel events run all morning and afternoon, forum pitches and special one to one mentoring occasions are always packed to the brim and with evening happy
hours sponsored by different countries and groups, allowing to meet other
filmmakers around the globe AND after parties usually sponsored by the distributors or larger sponsors, it’s literally jam packed.

The Happy Hour room, where some members of
Screen Scotland, (Dani Carlaw, Head of Unscripted
in green hat) and the Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI) and local producers in fine representation. Honestly, the hardest part is to work out which events to attend, combined with which films and parties all in one day!

Person using VR equipment

Group standing inside listening to someone talking

Denmark is quite expensive however in the “off season” of March, I found affordable clean budget hotels and easy flights.

With delicious food and drink, locals known for their friendliness and openness, I have never been disappointed. You literally can meet people that you
see in early stages of their films or finished teaser trailers and get to celebrate and honor them the next year when they finish. It’s a feeling of camaraderie.

Collection of film posters(above image is the collection of film posters over the years of
films to premiere at the festival)

This small but mighty festival with its many events, is a special way for the
doc filmmaking community to connect in person and to help support one
another. Attending these early doors for me, is like charging up all of your
batteries at once, allowing me to get through the year. But that doesn’t
mean you don’t leave tired, as yes, I can confirm that you most certainly do!People looking at a large screen in a conference setting

I have met an ever growing group of creatives from every continent, we stay connected and look forward to seeing each either at CPH or another doc related
film festival each year. I cannot wait to welcome many to Edinburgh this summer and was happy to be able to attend this year thanks to Napier’s post graduate International Festivals and Events program.

(Special labeling for the fest for Happy Hour IPA’s)Aluminum can from the CPH:DOX event

This is Joe Mecca (left), we met in 2023. The film that he and the team are representing for its European premiere is called MEDIHA.

People at the event smiling

It is directed and produced by Hasan Oswald, produced by Joe’s sister, Annelise Mecca and Fahrinisa Campana, Alexander Spiess, and Stephen Nemeth. Mediha is a young woman, one of many women and children survivors of the ISIS
orchestrated genocide, who stands up to her trauma and to the authorities. Mediha’s resolve and the gripping bravery of local heroes and the film crew’s live rescue attempts, will cause you to manually close your
dropped jaw. A-mazing. Be on the lookout for this incredible work, it will stay with you as an inspiration.

Goodnight from CPH:DOX, Copenhagen!!!
Stay Brave, Untamed and Kind, Nancy

Image of group standing in front of CPH:DOX neon sign(photos by Nancy Dionne and Joe Mecca)

Festivals as networked communities, and a PhD journey to Tilburg University

By Dr David Jarman

In the world of festivals and communities, relationships matter. Festival managers and producers understand the overlapping links, both professional and private, amongst their colleagues. Freelancers and graduates developing their careers appreciate that opportunities may come by way of personal connections. The future success of entire festival organisations can depend on forging, maintaining and exploiting associations with collaborators, suppliers and allies.

Academic literature in the field of festival studies has sought to better understand the interpersonal dimension of these events, from different conceptual standpoints, in a range of contexts. However, in this festival environment there remains an opportunity, if not a need, to establish the place of network-based research methods and perspectives in the development of academic and industry understandings of social relationships. Networks underpin these connections and communities, from simple ties between pairs of people, to complex webs spanning hundreds of individuals, venues, performing companies, supply chains and audience members.

Earlier this summer, just before the beginning of term, I headed over to The Netherlands to complete my doctorate. The research is a response to the question: “What can social network analysis, and a network-orientated perspective, contribute to understanding the relationships within festival and creative communities?”

My PhD was with Tilburg University, where I had been a student for three years through the period of Covid lockdowns. The empirical work that contributed to it was built up over a number of years though, through a range of different journal articles, conference presentations and book chapters. It has been a privilege and an interesting journey over that time to complete this range of different projects, and to work with different people along the way. Taking this “by publication” route meant that I was able to focus on different projects, involving an array of primary data types, and various research methodologies. I was also able to find different homes for my work, with the support of many editors and colleagues along the way. Presenting my work at different conferences and events allowed me to tell people about my work and generate some interest in the network approach that I’ve been taking.

Throughout my work I’ve been focusing on different types of social network analysis. SNA is a growing area of academic research, partly driven by the opportunities that it presents, but also because of the interest in networks that has developed over the past 20 years. This interest is partly driven by widespread use of social media and communications technologies, but also through the shared experience of the Covid-19 pandemic and its spread across the globe. I was able to take this interest and apply it to the context of festivals and events, showing that there is a lot to be learnt and concluded from a network focused approach.

Going through the Dutch system was very interesting and rewarding, and very different from the experiences of colleagues who went through a UK system. My trip to Tilburg in late summer was primarily for a public defence of my PhD: I was given an hour on stage in which to present my work, and then to answer questions from a panel of assembled professors. It was a good experience, and my supervisors were confident that I would get through it, so I was happy to have my family with me to see it! I also produced a public publication so to speak: this took the form of multiple copies of a printed book with a shiny cover, that people who attended the event were free to take away with them. It has been an interesting journey to turn my PhD thesis into something which can quite comfortably sit on a bookshelf in a library, or in someone’s study.

The publication of the book in this form, and also as a PDF freely available from the Tilburg University repository, means that the various publications that I collected over the years are now in one place. If anyone wants to know what I’ve done over the past 10 years or so, they can head to the Tilburg University website and there it will be.

The journey to Tilburg was fantastic, and the good weather really helped. I was also very happy that one of my colleagues at Napier, Professor Jane Ali-Knight, was one of my supervisors, and therefore also at the public defence. Working with her, and my director of studies Professor Greg Richards, has been a really rewarding and valuable experience in itself. Greg and I, for example, published a special issue of the Event Management academic journal in 2021. We also collaborated on some events through the ATLAS group of academics, and we shall continue to build on this.

Final thanks from me must go to two groups of people. One is my family, my partner and young son who came out to the Netherlands with me. We enjoyed some lovely days in Amsterdam, Tilburg, and nearby Breda. The other group of people are the various administrators, support staff and Beadles who helped me at Tilburg University. They are a fantastic team, and I was really lucky to work with such great people through the six-month journey from thesis submission to public defence and book publication. The Tilburg campus is beautiful, the atmosphere is lively, and I was very well looked after by everyone I met.

In terms of my work as an academic at Edinburgh Napier, I am now in a position to tell anyone that there is a collected body of my work in that book. I’m also very happy that I can now call myself Dr. This will open up future opportunities to me in terms of research and other work, with additional freedoms to treat each project on its own merits rather than being part of a bigger endeavour. I will, of course, retain my interest in festivals, networks, and communities, and I will continue to share this with people at every opportunity that comes my way.

Edinburgh Napier student – Brodie Sutton – is winner of UK Undergraduate Event Management Student of the Year award from the Association for Events Management Education (AEME)

For the second year in a row, an Edinburgh Napier University student has been awarded the title of UK Undergraduate Event Management Student of the Year from the Association for Events Management Education (AEME).

AEME is an international organisation that aims to support and raise the profile of the events discipline through the sharing of education and best practice. This is the second year of AEME presenting this major award, and the second year the award went to an Edinburgh Napier University student, with Cameron Hughes receiving the award in 2021.

Brodie Sutton, winner of the 2022 Award was nominated by his dissertation supervisor Dr Gary Kerr, Associate Professor in Festival & Event Management.

Brodie graduated with a first-class BA (Hons) in International Festival & Event Management with Entrepreneurship. Brodie’s first class degree is representative of his consistent excellent grades he achieved throughout his four years at Edinburgh Napier University. His dissertation examined how drones can be used safely and efficiently at events, creating theoretical and practical insights.

Brodie has been Programme Representative at Staff-Student Liaison Committee over the past 4-years, being shortlisted in 2020 for Edinburgh Napier Student Association’s ‘Best Programme Representative Award’. He was also nominated by his peers and shortlisted this year for Edinburgh Napier Student’s Associations’ ‘Most Inspiring Student Award’.

Brodie served as President (2021-22) of the Edinburgh Napier Events Society. Here, he has guided the society and overseen its development. He has impressed academic staff through a comprehensive calendar of online and hybrid events during the Covid-19 pandemic including organising a Winter Ball for 500 students. He has enriched the student experience through creating opportunities for fellow students – many of whom have gone on to secure work relevant to their university course, in managerial roles, even before graduating from university.

Brodie has been Vice-Coordinator of Meadows Marathon – and led the sponsorship, marketing & partnerships team in this role. This has generated significant funds for the charities supported by the Marathon.

Academic staff at The Business School have been particularly impressed in seeing Brodie step up in the role as Trustee of Edinburgh Student Charities Appeal (ESCA) and to see him share his event management skills with others working for the charity. Passionate about enhancing the student experience, Brodie appeared on the ‘Events for Breakfast’ podcast talking about the need to give students ways of reconnecting post-lockdown.

Remarkably, Brodie has been instrumental in helping academic colleagues in The Business School plan and deliver hybrid and online events. He managed the online deliveries of the ATLAS Events Special Interest Group symposium held at ENU in October 2020, and also managed platform delivery for the BAFA Festivals Forum.

David Jarman, Programme Leader of the BA (Hons) International Festival & Event Management suite of courses said “Brodie has been a fantastic student who has performed so well inside and outside of the classroom, and is fully deserving of this award. We have seen Brodie go from strength to strength. Through his ambition, hard work and professionalism, Brodie has been able to apply learning from the classroom in practical ways, and I’m delighted he has been recognised in this way”.

To find out more about studying Festival and Event Management and the various joint degrees available at Edinburgh Napier University, please click here.