Professor Susan Brown has been named as Edinburgh Napier’s first Head of Sport Engagement, building on the University’s growing reputation of sporting excellence.
The newly-created position will aim to promote sport as a key area of research and a valued part of the student experience – bringing together a wide range of activity into one framework.
It is part of a strategic effort at the University to demonstrate how sport can make a difference to the wider world, by supporting industry, promoting social inclusion, developing new technology and delivering on public sector priorities.
Professor Brown has been a lecturer at ENU since 2002, and in 2012 was given the role of Subject Leader for Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences. Since 2017, she has been responsible for forging innovative partnerships between sport and academia, such as the degree in football coaching and performance jointly delivered with the Scottish Football Association.
Susan’s role in establishing the Dual Career programme has attracted leading athletes to study at ENU while competing at an elite level, including then Hibernian captain Paul Hanlon (pictured), Olympic gold medal-winning curler Bruce Mouat, British tennis star Emily Appleton and indoor bowls world champion Beth Riva.
Her new role will focus on increasing engagement in sport across six wide-ranging themes:
- Sport for Good/S4D
- Sport Performance
- Sport for Health
- Sports Technology & Innovation
- The Business of Sport
- Sport and Society/Sport Diplomacy
ENU already has a strong track record of research and teaching across a diverse range of sporting themes, including mountain biking, football management, surfing, sports technology, motor racing, sports journalism and officiating.
Alongside the role, a new Edinburgh Napier Sport Steering Group will bring together the University and Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association to develop and promote the opportunities available through sport.
Professor Susan Brown, Head of Sport Engagement at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “I am excited to take on this role, which will unlock new opportunities for our students, staff and partners.
“We want to treat sport in an innovative way, with a much broader approach than we may have seen elsewhere, and explore the power of sport to change our society.
“This marks a step change in how the University leverages sport as a powerful enabler for student experience, community engagement, institutional reputation and global reach.
“With sport recognised globally as a vital contributor to wellbeing, cohesion, innovation, and economic development, this is the right time to harness ENU’s strengths in this area.
“I aim to make sport a visible, connected and valued part of University life – for people who are already passionate about it, or those who maybe haven’t considered its potential before.”