Gender and Sexuality Research at Edinburgh Napier University
Mar 6, 2024
Location Merchiston Campus, room: MER_H11 Description Let’s get together and listen to colleagues working on gender and sexuality! And then let’s talk about their fascinating ideas, and how they relate to our own work and topics! This event is envisaged as informal and friendly gathering, following the success of similar gathering in 2023. We want to continue on this good tradition, and build new connections, learn about inspiring research we are doing across the university, feel inspired and nurtured.
Please send any queries to: Dr Roberto Kulpa (r.kulpa@napier.ac.uk)
SCHEDULE
14:00-14:10
Welcome (Roberto Kulpa)
14:10-15:00 TRANS LIVES
GUEST: Gina Gwenffrewi (University of Edinburgh) will start with an input about trans* people's cultural production online (i.e. YouTube, Twitter/X), framing the moral panic, and its impact on the trans* communities.
Rob Clucas (Law) will speak to the latest ‘gender critical’ challenge to the Gender Recognition Act 2004 in the appeal to the Supreme Court in the For Women Scotland case. He suggests that a solution to the current poisonous polemic around trans* rights can usefully be sought in the dialogic theory of Martin Buber (Buber 1958).
Toni Kania (Social Sciences) will introduce their PhD project about conceptualising bodily autonomy and sovereignty of trans* people – and from trans* peoples’ perspective – in Poland.
15:00-15:10 Coffee and pastries break
15:10-16:00 GENDERED VIOLENCE
Amy Beddows (Counselling) will speak about the potential of horror texts as tools for survivors processing the experiences of gendered violence.
Anne Schwan (English) will reflect on femicide, perpetrator narratives and the challenge of restorative justice, drawing from her analysis of Em Strang's novel “Quinn” (2023).
Fiona McQueen (Social Sciences) will conclude this section pondering on her project on Scottish young men’s attitudes towards prevention messages on violence against women, incl. queer & trans men’s accounts and insights.
16:00-16:10 Coffee and pastries break
16:10-17:00 REPRESENTATIONS
Yen Nee Wong (Social Sciences) will introduce us to queer cultures of ballroom dancing and the role of Strictly Come Dancing’s representations and mainstreaming.
David Bishop (Creative Writing) will speak about his creative writing PhD, instigation into the scarcity of queer sleuths in historical mystery fiction set before the Victorian era, and the politics of outing and authorship.
Phiona Stanley (Tourism) will talk about labels – ‘spinsters’, ‘crazy cat ladies’, ‘witches’. It is also, in theoretical terms, about queering queerness by negotiating the queer and deeply gendered queerness of spinsterhood.
17:00-17:10 Coffee and pastries break
17:10-17:45 POP!
Ashley Stein (Music) will introduce their PhD project on how hyperpop and other electronic music practices can be used to destabilise gender binaries.
Frederik Byrn Køhlert (English, Visual Cultures) will close this input section with a reflection on the representation of gender and sexuality in comics & graphic novels, incl. examples from work as editor of a Routledge series on Gender, Sexuality, and Comics.
17:45-onwards: Post-Event Drinks & Food at nearby The Golf Tavern
30-31 Wright's Houses, Bruntsfield, EH10 4HR
Event Organisation:
Dr Roberto Kulpa
School of Applied Sciences: Deputy Research Degrees Lead
Co-Director: MSc Applied Social Research
Co-Investigator: (2022-2026) ‘RESIST. Fostering Queer Feminist Intersectional Resistances against Transnational Anti-Gender Politics’ (EU Horizon Europe grant no. 101060749).People Amy Beddows
Anne Schwan
Ashley Stein
David Bishop
Fiona McQueen
Frederik Byrn Kohlert
Phiona Stanley
Rob Clucas
Roberto Kulpa
Toni Kania
Yen WongOrg Units Business School
School of Applied Sciences
School of Arts and Creative Industries
Events (23)
(Re)presenting cover girls: Exploring female diversity in magazines
Feb 20, 2020
Location Merchiston Campus Description This event explores female diversity on magazine covers, in magazine publishing businesses themselves, and throughout the creative industries.
Magazines play an important role in perpetuating stereotypes that fail to represent society. This misrepresentation impacts on self-perception and helps to maintain socioeconomic disparities.
The event begins with a research-based talk presenting the shocking reality of misrepresentation in British magazines, and is followed by a panel session, inviting media practitioners and the public to contribute ideas, promote change and tackle this historical issue.People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://internationalmagazinecentre.com/events/
"The M Word" with the International Magazine Centre
Apr 24, 2019
Location The M Word
Wednesday 24 April 2019
5.30 (for 6pm) to 8pm
Lindsay Stewart Lecture Theatre, CraiglockhartDescription The M Word
The first International Magazine Centre event
Keynote speaker – Simon Kanter, Creative Director at Haymarket Media Group
Simon Kanter led the redesign of Campaign magazine, as well as the multi-award winning 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games daily programmes. He'll be sharing his insights gained from these projects as well as his work on magazines as varied as People Management, Work, Forever Sports, FourFourTwo, Stuff and The Net.
Opening Speaker – Rosalind Tulloch, Editor at 2A Publishing
Ros has been the Editor at 2A since its inception in 2011. She's worked on titles in healthcare and disability for more than ten years, working across all aspects of publishing. Ros is Editor of PosAbility Magazine, an innovative disability lifestyle publication that focuses on the opportunities available to disabled people today.
This public event was free for all students (and staff of Edinburgh Napier). Attendees included publishers, designers and advertisers, with the event being marketed across the magazine publishing industry.
https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/events/the-m-word
Registration was via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-m-word-simon-kanter-creative-director-at-haymarket-media-tickets-59528453206People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://internationalmagazinecentre.com/events/
Napier Big Read - World Book Day Launch
Mar 1, 2018
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/news/staff-and-students-jump-in-to-big-read-initiative
https://napierbigread.com/2018/06/01/launch-day-photos/
Staff and students from Edinburgh Napier University are on the case celebrating the launch of this year’s #NapierBigRead.
Hundreds of free copies of Detective McLevy’s Casebook, which was produced by Edinburgh Napier students, are being distributed around the University today. The collection of short stories is based on true crimes investigated by Detective McLevy, who is credited as being the real-life inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.
Staff and students alike have been picking up their copies this week, ready to get on the trail of the intriguing murder mysteries and find out more about the criminal history of the capital.
Sharing Detective McLevy's Casebook across the whole University is aimed at getting staff and students alike discussing the same book, sharing insight and bringing people together.
Avril Gray, programme leader of MSc Publishing, said: “We have been absolutely delighted by the response – even before the book launch, boxes were being opened and books taken away to read. Of course, this didn't fit in with our grand release plans, but I love the way that students and staff have taken books into their own hands! Ownership of the Napier Big Read is exactly what this year's campaign is about. I hope people enjoy the book and we look forward to hearing their thoughts.
“I’ve been working at Edinburgh Napier University for some time and what continually strikes me is how this University really celebrates the work and achievements of our students. This year the Napier Big Read is actually a book our students produced!
“Other students are getting the chance to read it, to discuss it, and to use it to shout about the great work they are doing. I’ve loved making new connections with other staff and students, and finding out about what students on other programmes are achieving.”
Regarding the decision to choose Detective McLevy’s Casebook, she added: “It is truly student-led. Our students asked other students what they wanted in the book – so even the size was decided by students!
“One of the reasons we chose it is that it is set in Edinburgh. Another reason is that it shines a light on the real Sherlock Holmes! Detective McLevy was a real detective working the streets of Edinburgh and was the acknowledged inspiration for Sherlock Holmes.”People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries
Books to Homeless - Donating Books to Vulnerable Readers
Dec 1, 2017
Location Edinburgh Description Showing Some Love - The Gift of Giving Books from Christmas to Valentine's Day
Collecting pre-loved books on all 3 campuses in aid of streetreads, an Edinburgh charity aimed at giving books to homeless readers.
From December to February, the campaign asked students and staff to donate their old books in collection stations across the University campuses in Sighthill, Merchiston and Craiglockhart.
Collaborations:
ENSA
Cross-University Groups & Disciplines
Streetreads
Shelter
Video: over 1,400 views to date (April 2018)People Avril Gray Org Units University URL https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/news/university-shows-charity-spirit-with-generous-book-donation
Detective McLevy's Rogues Gallery: Faces of Crime 1870-1917
Nov 13, 2017
Location Both event and exhibition at General Register House, Princes Street, Edinburgh. Description Event to discuss new book "Detective McLevy's Casebook" featured at ‘Rogues Gallery: Faces of Crime 1870-1917’, national exhibition, 25 Oct – 1 Dec 2017, Monday to Friday, 9.30-4.30pm
Delivered by National Records of Scotland in partnership with Edinburgh City Archives, the exhibition will bring visitors face-to-face with Scotland’s criminal past – from an infamous murderer to con artists, pickpockets, petty thieves and more. It will pair striking images from mug shot albums with carefully selected extracts from trial records to convey a unique insight into criminal justice in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Avril Gray, Programme Leader of MSc Publishing (SACI) and Publishing Manager for Merchiston Publishing said: “It is so incredibly exciting to see our students’ work showcased as part of this national exhibition. Detective McLevy is credited with being the real-life inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes, so it is highly appropriate that our book of short stories, which is based on true crimes, has a central place. It is fantastic to be working with National Records of Scotland and Edinburgh City Archives and I would like to thank them for being so supportive of our staff and our students' work.”
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Europe, Culture and External Affairs, said: “In the Year of History Heritage and Archaeology, Rogues Gallery throws light on a shadowy side of Scotland’s story, revealing the rarely-told tales of famous and forgotten figures who are part of our nation’s history.”People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/news/msc-publishing-contributes-to-rogues-gallery-exhibition
David Bishop & Steve MacManus: How a Comic Book Icon Rose to the Top
Aug 15, 2017
Location Bosco Theatre (George Street), Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh. Description For anyone with even the merest interest in comic books, the story of 2000AD is an essential part of their education. David Bishop and Steve MacManus have been editors of the publication in very different eras and are in a privileged position to discuss the inside story People David Bishop Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/david-bishop-steve-macmanus-10039
Publishing Showcase at SACI Degree Show, 2017
May 18, 2017
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description 18 books displayed, launch of 3 magazines
44 PG students' work represented
Presentation of Award
Upgrade of C level, Merchiston Campus, and installation of framing system (full corridor)
c.150 attendees on opening night
Full support via Social Media activity - email, website, Twitter (over 1,600 followers)People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries
Innovations in Learning & Teaching - Opening the Book on the Process
Nov 30, 2016
Location Edinburgh People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries
Under the Covers with Bestselling Authors - Matt Haig
Sep 29, 2016
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description Bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction for children and adults.
MATT HAIG's book, "Reasons to Stay Alive", was a number one Sunday Times bestseller and was in the UK top 10 for 46 weeks.
His bestselling children's novel, "A Boy Called Christmas", is currently being adapted for film, produced by Studio Canal and Blueprint Pictures.
Also author of "How to Stop Time" and "The Humans".People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries
How to Job Search in Book Publishing
Sep 15, 2016
Location Edinburgh & London Description HOW TO JOB SEARCH IN BOOK PUBLISHING (Edinburgh)
Bookcareers.com and The Book Trade Charity BTBS host their popular "How to Job Search in Book Publishing" course to Edinburgh on Thursday, 15th September 2016, thanks to the support of Publishing Scotland and the MSc Publishing programme at Edinburgh Napier University.
If you are unemployed* and meet the requirements your place will be sponsored.
"How to Job Search in Book Publishing" covers all aspects of job hunting – from writing a CV and covering letter that publishers want to read to where jobs are advertised, interviews, branding, social media, and everything else you ever wanted to know.
It takes a comprehensive look at all things job hunting and employment and even the most experience job-hunter is likely to learn something new. Previous candidates have described this course as "The Best Help Ever!". A number of long-term unemployed have already attended this course and secured new employment in a matter of weeks; they informed us that this course was instrumental in them getting a new role.
To apply for a sponsored place:
You must be currently unemployed and have been job hunting in book publishing
AND
Completed a Masters or First Degree in Publishing in the UK in 2015 or earlier
OR
Worked in the UK book industry (publishing, bookselling, distribution) for at least 6 months, whether one employer of through a variety of freelance work or internships
NOTE: We will look at all applications on a case by case basis. All sponsorship is at our discretion. Our aim is to help the most relevant candidates first, in particular those who have experienced redundancy and been unable to find new employment, but we will be more likely to accept people than turn people away if they’ve already got some publishing experience.
We will consider Publishing students from 2016 and those with less than 6 months experience if we have spaces available, but our priority are those who have been unemployed for a while and who are committed to a career in the book industry.
We also may have places for sale available for those who are currently employed elsewhere and who wish to receive this training, again priority will be for our core unemployed.
*unemployed = people not in regular work. An internship is not regular work. Someone whose contract is coming to an end is not in regular work. A freelancer who doesn’t have enough work is not in regular work. If you are employed and on a low income, sponsorship may be available for you too. Please apply and let Bookcareers make the decision.
For more details contact: Avril Gray, Programme Leader, MSc Publishing, Edinburgh Napier Univeristy – a.gray@napier.ac.ukPeople Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-job-search-in-book-publishing-tickets-27421499443
Under the Covers with Bestselling Authors - Sara Sheridan
Feb 22, 2016
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description SARA SHERIDAN is an Edinburgh-based novelist who writes crime noir mysteries and historical novels based on the real-life stories of late Georgian and early Victorian explorers.
She has also written for children – her picture book "I’m Me" has appeared on CBeebies three times – and (occasionally) commercial non-fiction (in 2017 she wrote the companion guide to the ITV series, "Victoria").
In 2015 Sara was named one of Scotland’s 365 Most Influential Women, Past and Present, by the Saltire Society.People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://publishingdegree.co.uk/2016/05/27/jam-packed-year-of-events-guest-speakers-and-industry-visits-2/
Walking Masterpiece - A Celebration of the Poetry of Norman McCaig
May 21, 2015
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description Launch of innovative new book app, demonstrating cutting-edge publishing technology.
Approx. 250 attendees
Collaboration with:
Birlinn Publishing Ltd
(Polygon)
National Library of Scotland
Edinburgh University
Featured on STV’s Fountainbridge ShowPeople Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL http://player.stv.tv/episode/32bn/fountainbridge-show/
Under the Covers with Bestselling Authors - Richard Holloway
May 4, 2015
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description RICHARD HOLLOWAY, FRSE is a Scottish writer, broadcaster and cleric.
He was Bishop of Edinburgh from 1986 to 2000 and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church from 1992 to 2000.
He currently hosts the BBC Radio Scotland book review programme, Cover Stories.
His books include "On Forgiveness", "Looking in the Distance", "Godless Morality", "Doubts and Loves", and "Between the Monster and the Saint".
"Leaving Alexandria", won the PEN/Ackerley Prize 2013 and was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2013.People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries
Publishing Showcase at SACI Degree Show, 2014
May 22, 2014
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description 2014 participation at Degree Show
c.150 attendees on the first nightPeople Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://publishingdegree.co.uk/tag/degree-show/
World Book Day Primary School Aliens Party, 2014
Mar 7, 2014
Location Edinburgh Description Most successful World Book Day art competition to date.
3,200+ entries from 36 Edinburgh primary schools
Three winners in each of two age categories, P1-4 and P5-7.
Hosted children's party and prize-giving in the Glass Room, Merchiston, on Friday, 7 March 2014 (14.30-16.00).
14.30-15.00 -- activities and party food
15.00-15.30 -- prize-giving (presented by Marion Sinclair CEO, Publishing Scotland)
15.30 onwards -- show from MacaStory.
The party theme, following the competition's brief, was outer space aliens in Edinburgh.
Generous sponsorship from Edinburgh Airport.
Previous school engagement – http://www.flickr.com/photos/scob/sets/72157626210631034/People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://publishingdegree.co.uk/2014/04/05/aliens-in-edinburgh/
Forgotten Female Writers - Launch of The Glorious Thing by Christine Orr
Jun 28, 2013
Location Craiglockhart Campus, Edinburgh Description Photo: Launch in the beautiful Chapel at Craiglockhart campus. Speech by our contributor Yvonne McEwen.
An Edwardian themed tea party with the added bonus of guided visits to The War Poets Collection by the fantastic and irreplaceable Librarian, Catherine Walker.
Representatives from the two charities we are supporting, Scottishpoppy and Scottish Veterans Residences, as well as many of the great and good from the Edward Clark Trust, Edinburgh libraries and local schools.
And of course alumni, publishers, tutors and our families and friends attended to celebrate the culmination of this fantastic project. We even had a special guest who flew in just for the event!People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://gloriousthing.wordpress.com/category/latest-news/
Under the Covers with Bestselling Authors - Ian Rankin
Mar 4, 2013
Location Edinburgh Napier University Description Best-selling international author Ian Rankin talk to MA Screenwriting and MSc Publishing students.
Co-organisers: James Mavor & Avril GrayPeople James Mavor
Avril GrayOrg Units School of Arts and Creative Industries
Running a Marathon Book Campaign, 2013
Mar 3, 2013
Location https://gloriousthing.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/meadows-marathon-madness/ Description Sweets may seem like a strange choice to include in a marathon runner's bag, but there was a significance for this decision, apart from runners needing a good sugar boost of course!
270 promotional goodie bags were distributed.
The vampire fangs and gummy teeth were chosen to represent "Olalla", a novella of gothic theme that tells the story of a mysterious family with a strange penchant for human blood!
And why jelly babies? Fun fact (that will hopefully help you in future table quizzes) – jelly babies were originally called ‘peace babies’ to celebrate the end of the First World War!
These were a fitting treat to represent our book "The Glorious Thing" -- a novel set in Edinburgh during WWI.
This was a "novel" way to raise awareness for our projects.
It was inspiring for students to see how many people were interested in what we were doing, as well as hear some of their stories as well.
Exemplifying cross-discipline collaboration, Simoné Hinrichsen, a journalism student at Edinburgh Napier University, was commissioned to film our activity and a video is available.People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://gloriousthing.wordpress.com/2013/03/03/meadows-marathon-madness/
Real Sherlock Resurrected at First Crime Fiction Festival
Sep 16, 2012
Location Stirling Description Public event at first Bloody Scotland
Crime fiction festival in Stirling, 14-16 Sept 2012
Over 60 attendees (fee paying)
First event, now annual. Celebrates crime writing by bringing together leading Scottish and international writers, showcasing debut voices and encouraging new writers.
Collaborations:
Bloody Scotland
Edinburgh City of Literature
University of Stirling
https://www.bloodyscotl...ctive-mclevys-casebook/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ne...ayside-central-19591810People Avril Gray Org Units School of Arts and Creative Industries URL https://www.bloodyscotland.com/announcements/detective-mclevys-casebook/