A message from our Principal, Professor Sue Rigby
Hello and welcome to the 2026 edition of Red Triangle magazine.
This past year, my first at Edinburgh Napier, has coincided with a time of significant change in the higher education sector. As I settled into my new role, it has been a stimulating and challenging time, and one that I have relished, working alongside a committed team and supportive partners to ensure the University remains at the heart of education provision in Scotland, and a powerhouse for Edinburgh and the wider nation.
What matters most is that we make a difference – changing lives through education, research, training, and innovation – by applying our expertise in ways that deliver for people across the country and around the world. The University is a vital part of the local economy, and wherever you may go throughout Scotland it is likely you will find us supporting local industries, while our strength internationally continues to grow steadily as we apply ideas in practical ways.
Focusing on practical challenges in society is a key part of our ethos. One example of this is our work on sustainable construction – taking theory to proof of concept, to mainstream – that has helped shift the UK’s construction sector towards timber-based buildings, which store carbon and reduce emissions. We are also developing collaborative research needed to deliver change and innovation in the police sector – a crucial service for community wellbeing – as we lead the newly established Scottish Policing Academic Centre of Excellence.
This edition’s cover star is Danae Shell, an inspirational entrepreneur harnessing tech to empower us. She is a brilliant example of how determination to make a difference leads to innovation and impact. Our Alumni Awards showcase other alumni contributing to their professions and communities.
Across the globe, you, our alumni, form a dynamic community spanning every sector, from the arts to health, science to business. You are integral to who we are and how we succeed.
As we embark on the next chapter in our story and embrace ambitious strategic direction, my hope is that you will join us in helping to shape the future for Edinburgh Napier — for only through collective collaboration can we build our capacity and capability to deliver the solutions that are needed and remain an institution that makes a tangible difference in the world.
I hope you enjoy reading this edition which celebrates just some of the impact our collective University community is making.