Latest news with #EdinburghNapierUniversity
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Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Turning ideas into impact: how Scottish businesses can tap into academic expertise on our doorstep
Pete Scullion A unique new study aims to use academic insights to prove exactly how and why clearing up our local trails and taking part in Citizen Science helps to boost wellbeing through an increased connection to nature. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The partnership between Edinburgh Napier University and not-for-profit Trash Free Trails will help to build an evidence-based model to measure and enhance the wellbeing impacts of removing pollution from our environment for the first time. It's part of the university's mission to ensure its research makes a difference to the world around it – a mission that saw it named Scotland's number one modern university for Research Power and Research Impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework. Maggie Reid, Business Development Relationship Manager for the School of Applied Sciences, where the academic team is based, wants more local organisations to harness the brainpower of the academics on their doorstep. 'It's about bridging the gap. We are a very industry-focused university, and we want to apply our research to real situations for organisations and the community around us," she explains. "Sometimes universities can seem quite opaque to get into for businesses: these partnerships provide that open door to get research in and out to drive innovation and growth, and to develop talent.' Using evidence for maximum impact We all know that single use pollution (aka litter) is bad and picking it up is good – but how can we prove it? That's the question being asked by Professor Tom Campbell, who's also the director and academic lead at the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, and Dr Hollie Fountain, who has focused on exploring the impact of mountain bike "trail therapy" for people facing mental health challenges. "The wider public understands the negative impacts of litter in that natural environment on our trails, whether it's for mountain biking or walking... we know litter and single-use plastics have negative environmental impacts (largely due to TFT's existing research - The State of Our Trails Report is a world's first project documenting exactly this): we know how long single-use plastics in particular can linger in the environment; we know they break down and smaller microplastics contaminate soil, water and air and that there's a real danger to wildlife through ingestion and entanglement. "But equally, if not more importantly, I think the act of physically removing litter from the natural environment is really significant. We're talking about environmental stewardship and ecological citizenship, with people taking responsibility for the environment – and there's evidence that this type of stewardship can promote a sense of place, a connection to nature, and ultimately improve well-being." The team believes this is the first study of its kind that aims to demonstrate the impact on wellbeing of cleaning up much-loved spots like trails: as Tom says, "there's been nothing done to date that I'm aware of that looks at how removing litter and removing pollution, being physically involved, and actively removing those from the environment might impact upon these more positive outcomes". Cleaning up our trails Trash Free Trails was born in 2017 with a simple aim: to (re)connect people with nature through the simple act of removing single-use pollution from places they love. This community-led, not-for-profit organisation wanted to 'bring the beach clean mentality in-land'– particularly given that studies show there could be up to 23 times the amount of plastic waste released on land in the UK as in the sea. From the start, they wanted to generate the evidence that would prove that what they were doing could bring about real change, explains Rich Breeden, Associate Director of Trash Free Trails. "There are lots of organisations out there removing pollution, but something that sets us apart is a scientific backing to the work that we do. We don't just go and pick up pollution; we go and pick it up in very specific places for very specific reasons with very specific people." And this evidence base has the ability to generate real solutions, that can then be scaled up and even adopted by other organisations. "We want to have a long-term impact and the only real way to do that is to work with places like Edinburgh Napier and people like Tom and Hollie." Creating a model for the future The 30-month project will seek to define the correct approach by understanding the feel-good factors for participants, then designing a framework to measure that impact on wellbeing. Working with Trash Free Trail's communities of volunteers, they'll develop a pilot then adapt it as needed. The hope, according to Rich, is for the evidence to form a 'social prescribing model', something NHS Scotland describes as 'helping you to find the right support when you need it, connecting you with activities, groups and services in your local community that can help address some of the challenges and issues that you may be struggling with'. "It's also about strengthening our offer to make us more attractive to corporate funders or for trust and grants funding, which enables us to have more impact because that's what we're about: Ultimately, we need more support to have a greater impact, and this is how we will achieve that," he adds. And lastly, they want to develop a nature connection training model, one "that is ratified, proven and delivered by a really engaging organisation like ourselves to allow businesses to increase their nature connection". "Plus, our volunteers, who are the most important people in this whole conversation, can participate in the research in one way or another, they can actively benefit from it and, if it's something that they want to deliver with their communities, then that will be freely available to them as well." Lending academic expertise to firms and groups "Removing litter is a simple act, but actually it's so complex in terms of the mechanisms underlying that – and we're trying to evidence the benefit, to understand how that very simple thing actually extends into potentially massive benefits, especially for the social groups that don't currently engage in all this,' says Tom. 'That's the really powerful approach of the knowledge transfer partnerships:they enable projects with real world impact." Funded by UKRI for the past 50 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships like this one connect organisations with academics to facilitate access to the expertise they need to achieve strategically important objectives. "Often it's linked to increasing turnover and financial viability by developing a new product or a new service that allows you to employ more people," explains Maggie. 'But in this case, it's allowing an organisation like Trash Free Trails to demonstrate the societal impact element to their funders and therefore increase their funding in the future. "As well as the economic benefits to their organisation, whether that is to secure future funding or increase turnover, there is access to expertise, resources, facilities, people that they would not have access to. It's about building a partnership as well with the university which can really offer you a competitive advantage, because your services and products are underpinned by research." 'Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are all about impact – economic, academic, social, and environmental – and innovation,' adds Dr Anne-Marie Haughey, East of Scotland KTP Centre Manager. 'This collaboration between TFT and ENU academics will provide TFT with the capabilities to evidence and increase their impact, empowering them to have greater reach and deliver more of the activities central to their mission. The KTP project will enable development of a green social prescription model which is projected to have significant UK economic and social value, as a result of improvements in individuals' wellbeing.' Want to get involved?
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
What makes Leith one of the coolest areas to live in Edinburgh according to locals
When asking Edinburgh locals on the coolest places to live in Edinburgh, Leith was a firm favourite. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... What makes the area so desirable and cool to live in? We took to the streets and asked those who lived here. Kirsty Wood and Jamie McInnes have just signed their tenancy to move back to Leith after spending some time away. What do they think makes Leith so cool to live in? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Jamie said: 'The abundance of coffee places and cake places, community places that are artsy and artistic endeavors. It's kind of antithetical to the big city attitude. It's a community, it has people at its heart.' Kirsty, who was wearing a 'Live Laugh Leith' cap which she got at her friends fundraiser for Hibs community centre, said it's the community feel that is the coolest part about the area. Kirsty Wood and Jamie McInnes love the community feel in Leith | Rachel Keenan She said: 'You've got young hipster yuppies but also our neighbour has been a Leither his whole life, its not become completely gentrified. I go to a choir as well that has young people and old people.' Sophie Mitchell is a Leith local that thinks the best things about Leith are its independent cafes and restaurants. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said: 'Since they've opened the tram, all the new shops and restaurants there's not really any chains, it's all independent retailers and cafes and restaurants.' Sue and Stuart Gordon never intended to live in Leith when they moved to Edinburgh but rented in the area and realised they loved the neighbourhood. Sue and Stuart Gordon realised they loved the area after renting | Rachel Keenan Stuart went to Edinburgh Napier University years ago and moved away from the city but the couple have been drawn back. Sue said: 'We moved to Edinburgh and rented a place in Leith and it opened our eyes to what it was like. People kept saying to us it was one of the top places in the world! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'What I like about it is its got a lot of nice independent cafes and there is a feeling of community about it.' Stuart recognises there are still some issues with Leith including concerns with gentrification, but enjoys the quiet streets the area has to offer. He said: "There's obviously some poverty which is not good, but the whole feel is good. It doesn't feel unsafe or anything like that; it's a nice place. One of the good things is you can get away from the mass tourism of Edinburgh, it's nice to go into Edinburgh but it's great to come away and it's quiet. Jean McCreedie is also a Leith convert. When looking to buy a home in the capital she never saw Leith as an option but heard it was an up and coming area and says that's proven to be true. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said: 'It's a lot of the regeneration and the new flats they're building. I live down by The Shore and the amount of building work down there, you're getting an influx of people. If somebody told me 30 years ago that I'd be living in Leith I'd have laughed at them. 'The trams and infrastructure is fantastic and that's why I bought where I did and because I had read it was an up and coming area.'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Activists plea for actor to dress up as giant poo for Edinbugh Fringe festival gig
SHOWPLOPPER Activists plea for actor to dress up as giant poo for Edinbugh Fringe festival gig Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A KIDS show creator has launched a potty job ad to find someone to dress up as a massive poo. Lindsey Cole, of The Mermaid, the Otter and the Big Poo, is casting for a 19-day Edinburgh Fringe run. And she needs anyone who can wiggle in a giant turd costume for 15 minutes every performance. Lindsey, 40, said: 'It's for anyone who's up for a laugh. 'You need to be fun, be able to wiggle, improvise and boogie. 'People won't see your face, which is a bonus. And there's only one line you need to say.' Lindsey can't pay for the role but is offering potential performers a return favour if they can help out next month. Her show explores sewage pollution in Britain's waterways. Kids are encouraged to help the mermaid 'wave the big poo right out of her home' so that otters can return. Lindsey said: 'Expect songs, dance, games, a splash of audience improv and a whole dump of fun.' The show is based on Lindsey's popular children's book about a 60km swim adventure she went on in the River Avon, in Bristol. We told in 2018 how she helped save a drowning cow in the Thames in Oxfordshire while dressed as a mermaid. Woman gave HERSELF poo transplants from her boyfriend to treat her IBS - then developed the same health problems Her show runs at Edinburgh's Gilded Balloon venue from July 30 to August 17. Elsewhere a marine expert has called on Scots to get their teeth into Shark Week - so they learn more about the amazing big fish in Scottish waters. Dr James Thorburn, of Edinburgh Napier University, reckons people assume they have to travel thousands of miles to find interesting aquatic life. But he insists there's plenty of amazing animals much closer to home that would get people hooked on learning more about what's under the sea.
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Tree on Shortlist for 2025
A sycamore tree linked to a famous war poet is in the running to be named the UK's Tree of the Year 2025 – and people in Edinburgh can help by voting for it. The 'Wilfred Owen Sycamore' grows in the grounds of Edinburgh Napier University, formerly Craiglockhart War Hospital when the poet was treated there for shell shock in 1917. Owen met and was inspired by fellow poet Siegfried Sassoon at the hospital, and wrote his most famous poems there, before returning to France in 1918, where he was killed in action. When a large branch was removed for safety in 2014, instrument maker Steve Burnett made a violin from the wood to commemorate 100 years since the start of World War I and honour Owen's memory. The violin has Owen's pre-war poem 'Written in a Wood, September 1910' inscribed inside it. The sycamore is one of ten inspiring 'cultural trees' shortlisted for the Woodland Trust's annual Tree of the Year competition, supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery. The shortlist was announced by Dame Judi Dench, Woodland Trust Patron, who said: 'Our oldest trees hold more stories than Shakespeare — some were putting down roots long before he began writing, more than 400 years ago. 'They are as much part of our heritage as any literature.' The shortlist features trees of differing ages and species, with nine selected by a panel of experts and a wildcard from the public. The winner, to be announced in September, will represent the UK in the European Tree of the Year finals. Nominees were chosen along the theme 'Rooted in Culture', highlighting how trees are ingrained in the UK's cultural landscape. The Wilfred Owen Sycamore is one of two Scottish trees listed, along with the 'Argyle Street Ash', which is this year's public wildcard nomination. The 75-ft tall ash in the front garden of 1223 Argyle Street – on Franklin Terrace – was the first tree in Glasgow to receive a Tree Preservation Order and has become a symbol of resilience in the city. It has survived Victorian industry, the Clydeside Blitz and recent redevelopments while also avoiding killer diseases such as ash dieback. Other trees on the shortlist include 'The Beatles' cedar tree' in West London, which featured on the Fab Four's Nowhere Man EP cover, and a solitary beech on Salisbury Plain known as 'the Lollipop Tree', which featured in the final scenes of the war film '1917' . Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery said: 'We're delighted our players are supporting this year's Tree of the Year competition. 'These trees have witnessed key moments in history, provided solace to war poets, been a supporting artist in a blockbuster film, and inspire reflection and creative photography as the seasons change. 'We're looking forward to seeing which one the public votes as the winning tree.' Voting is open until 19 September here. In 2017 instrument maker Steve Burnett created the Wilfred Owen violin from the branch of a sycamore tree standing in the grounds of the Craiglockhart building, now part of Edinburgh Napier University, to mark the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the Great War in 2014. Owen and Sassoon would have walked in the grounds of the hospital a century ago and known many of the trees still to be found there and this was the second violin to be created in memory of the war poets from the same branch. Photo George Anderson WTML Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Inside Scotland's shark hotspots – as expert reveals where to find world's second-largest fish
Shark Week has been a Discovery Channel staple for nearly 40 years. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MARINE expert has called on Scots to get their teeth into Shark Week - so they learn more about the amazing big fish in Scottish waters. Dr James Thorburn, of Edinburgh Napier University, reckons people assume they have to travel thousands of miles to find interesting aquatic life. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Basking Shark feeding on plankton during the bloom in the Scottish waters off the Isle of Coll. Credit: Getty 3 Dr James Thorburn is excited about the work taking place in Scottish waters. 3 Movies like Jaws have led to unfair stereotypes about sharks. Credit: Alamy But he insists there's plenty of amazing animals much closer to home that would get people hooked on learning more about what's under the sea. And there's no better time than Shark Week - a Discovery Channel staple for nearly 40 years. James, Associate Professor in Marine Ecology, said: "Sharks are often deeply misunderstood, largely due to their portrayal in films and television as mindless killers, as seen in movies like Jaws and other shark-attack thrillers. "These depictions fuel fear rather than understanding, even though shark attacks are incredibly rare and most species - such as those in Scottish waters - pose no threat to humans. "Events like Shark Week can be a double-edged sword: while some content still leans into sensationalism that can support misconceptions and fears about these animals, it also serves as a powerful platform to educate the public, highlight the ecological importance of sharks, and promote conservation." The academic points out that Scotland is home to certain species that have been almost entirely eradicated elsewhere in the world. While there's others that will swim in and out of our shores depending on the time of year that are more difficult to catch a glimpse of. He said: "Scotland's waters host a remarkable number of sharks, skates, and rays, collectively known as elasmobranchs, with over 60 recorded species, ranging from permanent residents to occasional visitors. "Among Scotland's most iconic elasmobranchs is the basking shark, the second-largest fish in the world, growing up to 11 metres. Seasonal visitors to our waters, their appearance provides valuable opportunities to study their migratory patterns and ecological role, particularly in hotspots such as the Sea of the Hebrides. "The porbeagle shark is another amazing species found in Scottish waters year-round. They are more commonly found off the north and west coasts, particularly around Orkney, Shetland, and the Minch. Surfer is HEADBUTTED by airborne shark & says 'I'm happy its mouth wasn't open' "Another flagship species is the critically endangered flapper skate, Europe's largest skate, which can reach lengths of over 2.5 metres. Once widespread across Europe, flapper skate populations have drastically declined due to historical overfishing, leaving Scotland as one of their last strongholds." Recent advancements in technology also mean that finding sharks and identifying the species has never been easier - even though it's still a tricky task. He added: "Recent developments have significantly advanced our understanding of Scotland's sharks, skates, and rays. Surveys and research have shown that Scotland's sea lochs and deep inshore waters are vital habitats for elasmobranchs. "The Firth of Lorn supports a resident population of flapper skate, while Loch Etive has emerged as a key site for spurdog, a small shark species present in coastal waters year-round. "Large numbers of skate egg cases have been discovered at key nursery sites such as the Inner Sound of Skye, prompting protection. "Innovative tools like AI-powered photo ID and citizen science collaborations with anglers are tracking individual animals and mapping movements. Scotland's Shark Species There's a number of sharks that are found in Scottish waters. Here's some of the most interesting. Basking shark Basking sharks are the second-largest fish in the world but usually only eat plankton by swimming through the water with their mouths wide open. You're most likely to see this species just off the Scottish shoreline in summer since the temperatures are warmer. Their hotspots are in the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Hebrides. Porbeagle shark A bit chunkier than your average shark, this species can be found several miles offshore because they prefer the deeper water there. They like to eat mackerel and herring and will also feed on bottom-dwelling fish too. The porbeagle shark is closely related to the great white shark as both are from the Lamnidae family Shortfin mako shark Mako's are also unlikely to attack humans and typically make seasonal appearances in Scottish waters. They are one of the fastest shark species in the world and can survive in much colder waters - raising their body temperature higher than that of the depths. They're found in many different parts of the world - including off the coast of Aberdeen more recently after an oil rig worker filmed one. Dogfish shark While most sharks have blue or grey colouring, dogfish sharks have tan bodies with dark brown spots. They usually only grow up to 3ft in length and fishermen often see them as nuisances, because they can get caught in fishing nets or take bait meant for much larger fish. It's not easy to spot them because they prefer sandy ground and tend to live and feed close to the seabed. "These efforts highlight strong site fidelity, seasonal patterns, and even international connectivity with waters around Europe, underscoring the need for cross-border conservation." James credits Scotland for being proactive in its conservation efforts to protect sharks and other species. For example, the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA has seen flapper skate numbers increase since restrictions on mobile fishing gear were introduced. While Red Rocks and Longay, on the Inner Sound of Skye, was declared a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (MPA) after the discovery of an exceptional flapper skate egg nursery. The Sea of the Hebrides MPA is also protecting basking shark hotspots, while several areas within Scottish Seas were proposed for the global Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) initiative that aims to identify the world's most important zones for conservation. Despite all of the impressive work that's already been done, James wants to see more collaboration on conservation efforts to ensure sharks remain in Scottish waters for a long time to come. He said: "Historically, angler-based projects like the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme and the Glasgow Museum Tagging projects helped designate current MPAs for elasmobranchs. "More recently, research on sharks, skates, and rays in Scotland is rapidly expanding, driven by both academic initiatives and citizen science. "A wide range of technologies is being used to enhance our understanding of these elusive species, including sophisticated tags to track movements, genetics to understand how populations are connected, underwater cameras to observe these animals in their natural habitat, and artificial intelligence to help us fully investigate the data generated from this technology. "Organisations like the Orkney Skate Trust are also collecting regional data on sharks, skates and rays to enhance our understanding of these species in Island regions. "The other great thing in Scotland is that people work together on large projects such as the MASTS-funded SharkScape project - led by Edinburgh Napier University. This collaborative approach is generating high-quality scientific data while raising public awareness and strengthening conservation efforts. "Together, these efforts are building a much clearer picture of how elasmobranchs use Scottish waters, informing better management and protection."
