UG Prospectus 2021 UG Prospectus 2019 | Page 103

Research Our staff are very involved in research ensuring that course content is up to date. You will be taught by active researchers in their own right, some of whom have recently completed their doctoral studies and others who are publishing in mainstream academic journals. Such engagement is key to the relevance of our courses, and helps equip staff and students with the background to make intelligent decisions about their future. You will also have contact with our growing number of PhD students as you progress through your chosen route of study, offering you the opportunity to meet with those engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. There is a variety of organisations with which active research is carried out at QMU; staff research collaborations include research with international and local businesses, third sector organisations and family businesses in a variety of sectors, including campaign groups such as ‘Business Fights Poverty’, and a variety of universities overseas. Our current research interests are in the areas of: • family business • smaller and social enterprises • public sector management • human resource management • marketing and business strategy • the luxury hotel market • ecological and sustainability issues in relation to hotels • tourism in developing countries • food events and tourism • ‘slow’ tourism • digital technology and its application to events, tourism and hospitality • cultural events and festivals As you reach the later stages of undergraduate study there are opportunities to develop individual pieces of research through the dissertation, and those students who choose further study at master’s or doctoral level are able to develop these interests further. Careers To react to the challenges of the 21st century, and move forward, the business, events and hospitality and tourism industries urgently need effective managers. Our graduates are perfectly positioned to play their part in this, possessing a mix of leadership, managerial, interpersonal and technical skills, all of which are crucial to career development. Our international hospitality and tourism graduates have gone on to successful careers in a variety of public sector organisations such as VisitScotland and EventScotland. Many others are also carving a career pathway with Sheraton, Gleneagles, Malmaison and Hotel du Vin, Hilton, RF Hotels, as well as many smaller privately owned companies in both tourism and hospitality. Our Business Management graduates have left QMU to embark on a wide range of successful careers in various sectors. Recent examples of employment of our Business Management graduates include; one working as ‘change manager’ for a major Scottish bank; one who joined the John Lewis management training programme; one working as a marketing communications specialist at Babcock International Group; another who works with the British Council in India; and one with Stratstone (BMW) on Tyneside. Web traffic is another area where graduates have developed careers working with new and existing web- based businesses. • motivations and consumer behaviour in special events • international events management and social justice, gender (in)equality, social inclusion, and diversity in events management • tourism and sports public relations. 101 Entry onto graduate training programmes for major employers has been the preferred route for some, with a small number each year going on to teach either in schools or in the further education sector. For some, starting their own business is the ideal option and graduates have developed businesses in areas as diverse as extreme sports retailing, American real estate, cake making, industrial car-washing and market research. With a focus on entrepreneurial activity embedded in our Business Management degrees, a number of graduates have successfully started their own businesses, in the UK and abroad – all of which is testament to the quality of the teaching provision at QMU. Our Events Management graduates have gone on to run their own event agencies; work for prestigious international event companies; become wedding and event planners at luxury venues; manage international events, such as the Commonwealth Games; lead in events technology organisations; shape event policy at EventScotland and Edinburgh City Council; as well as pursue post- graduate degrees in this emerging research field. Some students decide to undertake further academic study, perhaps at QMU on one of our MSc International Management and Leadership options, to enhance their business career or as a prelude to doctoral research.