Martin Robertson
martin robertson

Dr Martin Robertson BA (Hons), MA, PhD, FHEA

Associate Professor

 0131 455 4613

  M.Robertson2@napier.ac.uk

   

Biography

Dr Martin Robertson's passion for teaching and learning application and excellence has been applied successfully in his HE teaching and leadership roles in both the UK and in Australia. His involvement in academic quality assurance has also seen him sit in an executive capacity on a number of related university councils (UK & Australia). He has also been an active contributor to national (Scotland) and state (Victoria, Australia) government academic quality actions. In addition, Martin has both lead and contributed to public consultations (UK and Australia).

Martin has maintained his contact with the industry environment through supportive involvement in related agencies and non-executive directorship or committee roles. He has also been involved in research related to tourism, events and social and/ or market development, sustainable place development, event resilience, and event leadership. This applied activity drives his continued desire for providing a learning, teaching and research experience that is professionally and socially useful.

Martin has completed 5 years as Adjunct Associate Professor, for the School for the Visitor Economy & the Institute of Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne (completion November, 2021). He has recently (02/2022) stepped down as Co-Chairperson of the Event Studies SIG for the Council for Australasian Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE). Martin is Associate Editor of three peer review journals: 'Event Management', 'International Journal of Festival and Event Management', and 'Frontiers in Sport and Active Living' . He has co-edited 8 academic journal special issues and has also co-edited 6 published books. He has over 80 related articles , chapter publications and report.

Martin's has led or co-lead 10 consultations (evaluation) projects for providers of large events (arts, agriculture and sport). As well as having been programme leader for 7 HE degree programmes (UK and Australia), he has also designed and led: 1) a certificated event management training course for industry (Melbourne); 2) a certified (Master degree level) short course 'Sustainable, Entrepreneurial & Innovative Tourism Business Management'; 3) an Honours degree in Business Management (Melbourne).

School

Research Groups

Themes

Research Areas

Esteem

Advisory panels and expert committees or witness

  • ICCA Certification Curriculum Academic Committee Member (2021 - 2022)
  • Business Tourism Group Member, Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (2019-present)
  • Advisory Committee Member, Arts & Cultural Matters, City of Maribyrnong Council, Victoria (2010-11)
  • Forum Member, National Sustainable Events, Sustainability Victoria & Sustainable Living Festival (2009)
  • Founding Committee Member, Associate of Event Management Educators (AEME) (2004-8)
  • Group Member, Scottish Tourism Framework for Action, Scottish Executive (2003-4)

 

Conference Organising Activity

  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2022
  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2021
  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2020
  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2019
  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2018
  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2017
  • Review of transformative festival leadership – a learning and teaching discussion (Cardiff Metropolitan University, AEME 2017)
  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2016
  • A game of two halves: the value of field trips in event management education. Case studies of Dublin & Lisbon (team) (University of Derby, AEME 2016)
  • Creative Approaches to Teaching (team) (Falkirk University, AEME, 2015)
  • Visioning the future city – a discussion on the narrative of sustainability through events and festivals’ (Bournemouth University, LSA 2015)
  • Co-Chair Event Studies Special Interest Group CAUTHE Conference 2015
  • Bringing down the fourth wall: co-creation of event performance & space (team) Advancing Event Research Series - Events in Society (Victoria University, Melbourne, 2014)
  • Duplication of Purchase Law in Sport Event Markets: New Zealand case study (team) ANZMAC 2014 (Griffiths University, Brisbane, 2014)
  • Mountain Bike Sport Tourism: Mediating Space and Visitor Perception – A case study (team) (University of West Scotland, LSA, 2014)
  • Doing the right thing? Festival leadership and sustainability: the case of literary events Global Events Congress IV (2014)
  • Seeing the future of events and festivals as a conceptual framework (team) Global Events Congress IV (2014)
  • Developing a standard instrument to assess intangible event outcomes from the Ambassador perspective (team) (Flinders University (Adelaide), Global Event Congress IV) (2014)

 

Editorial Activity

  • Co-editor: Special issue - ‘Repurposing and Repositioning Events: Real, Responsible and Revolutionary Futures'’ International Journal of Festival and Event Management (2023 publication)
  • Associate Editor - Event Management (an international journal)
  • Special Issue co-editor: 'Can Sport, Leisure, Tourism & Events be Powers for Good?' (Frontiers in Sports and Active Living - Sport, Leisure and Tourism)
  • Associate Editor, Frontiers in Sport and Active Living (Sport, Lesure and Tourism) (2020-Ongoing)
  • UK Editor, Event Management - an international journal (2016-21)
  • Lead co-editor: ' Special issue - 'Critical Event Studies – Issues and Perspectives' Event Management - an international journal Vol 22 (2018, Issue 6)
  • Co-editor: Special issue - ‘Events futures: innovation, creativity and collaboration’ International Journal of Festival and Event Management Vol 9 (2018, Issue 2)
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Tourism Futures (2015-2018)
  • Co-editor: Special Issue - 'Events in Society' Event Management - an international journal Vol 19 (4) (2015)
  • (Co-editor) The Future of Festival and Events (Advanced Series on Events: Research - Routledge)
  • Lead co-editor: Special issue - 'Professionalisation and Event Management' Event Management - an international journal Vol 18 (1) (2014)
  • Co-editor: Special Issue - ‘Emerging knowledge and innovation in event management’ International Journal of Festival and Event Management Vol 4 (3) (2013)
  • Associate Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Event & Festival Management (2010-current)
  • (Co-editor) International Perspectives of Festivals and Events (Advances in Tourism Research - Elsevier Publication)
  • (Co-editor) Events and Festivals: Current Trends and Issues (Routledge)
  • Co-editor: Special Issue - ‘Festival and Events – beyond economic impacts’ Event Management - an international journal Vol 11 (1-2) (2007)
  • (Editor) Sporting Events and Events Tourism (LSA publication)
  • (Co-editor) Festival and Events Management: an international arts and culture perspective (Butterworth-Heinemann)
  • (Co-editor) Managing Tourism in Cities; policy, process and practice (John Wiley and Sons Ltd)

 

External Examining/Validations

  • External Examiner (PhD) - Leeds Beckett University (2023) (Teresa Moore)
  • External Opponent (PhD) - Mid-Sweden University (2022) (Martin Wallstrom)
  • External Examiner (PhD) - Victoria University, Melbourne (2022) (Abdullah Abonom)
  • External Examiner(PhD) - University of Chichester (2021) (Emma Nolan)
  • External Panel Member (MSc Tourism Validation/Approval) - University of Highlands and Islands (2020)
  • External Examiner (PhD) - Sheffield Hallam University (2020) (Emma Abson)
  • External Examiner (PhD) - Leeds Beckett University (2019) (Alistair Palferman )
  • External Examiner, Master of Tourism, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia (2014)
  • External Advisor, BSc (Hons) Sports Events Management, Leeds Metropolitan University (2011-12)
  • External Advisor: BA (Hons) Event & Festival Management, Buckinghamshire New University (2009)
  • External Examiner, BA Tourism Management & BA Tourism & International Tourism, Glasgow Caledonian University (2006-8)
  • External Advisor, BA Tourism Management, University of Highlands and Islands, Perth (2004)

 

Fellowships and Awards

  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, Victoria University, Melbourne (2019-2021)
  • ATHE Award for Innovation - Building Leadership and Management Capacity in the Visitor Economy (2018-2019)
  • Bournemouth University VC Award (Qualification achievement) (2017)
  • Student/ Student Union 'Your briliant' Award (x2) (Bournemouth University) (2017)
  • Honorary Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries & Liveable Cities, Victoria University
  • Award for Teaching Excellence (Victoria University, Internal) (2011)
  • Best Education or Training Programme (Team award) Australian Events Awards (2010)
  • Highly Commended Certificate (Miles Clark Business Events Communication Award) "The Business of Teaching Business Events" (Team) (2010)
  • Fellow, Higher Education Academy (HEA) (2002-current)

 

Invited Speaker

  • "Mega-events: the ethical, environmental & social cost" - Online seminar for the Law Society of Scotland (2022)
  • "Applying Blooms Taxonomy in the development of event management curricula (in challenging times) - a personal future reflection" - at Event Education Symposium, Hochschile Hannover, University of Applied Sciences and Arts (2021)
  • "Destination Events: the Success of Edinburgh Festivals", for University of Bagiou, Philippines (2021)
  • "Major events and legacy: women and social change" Victoria University/ Women's T20 World Cup - at Melbourne Cricket Ground (2020)
  • Visit Britain Keynote Presenter and workshop facilitation, ‘Ambassador Programmes & Competitive Resilience’ (2018)
  • Conference Discussion Panel Member, 'Critical Event Studies', Associate of Event Management Educators Form (2017)
  • Discussion Panel Member, ‘Event studies: extending the knowledge’ at Events in Society Symposium, Victoria University (2014)
  • Presented 'The future of major events', at Tourism in Tomorrow's World/ Stenden University, Qatar (2014)
  • Presentation of results for International Conference and Convention Association (ICCA) “Investigating Ambassador Programmes: Motives for Bidding for International Meetings and Events Bureaus” at 51st ICCA Congress (Puerto Rico) (2012)
  • Melbourne Writers Festival 2009: 'UNESCO City of Literature: Creative Collateral and Cultural Evaluation of Festivals: Edinburgh and Melbourne' (to Directors of 22 International Writers Festivals)

 

Media Activity

  • Wisdom Wednesday (for members of SITE ) - by Edinburgh Napier University (May 2020)
  • The Knowledge effect of conferences (Convention Edinburgh News Event) August, 2019)
  • Expert comment on “Future technology and soccer” UEFA Direct April 2017, p6-10
  • Expert Comment in ‘Open for debate? Taxpayers’ big investment in a fortnight of tennis’ (Crikey.com.au) 15 Jan, 2014
  • Expert comment in ‘Ballarat’s Asian Cup Wish List’ The Courier (Ballarat) - 12th Feb, 2014
  • ‘Common ground: how mountain biking will leave a lasting legacy’ in The Conversation, 30th July, 2014
  • Expert interview on “21st century spectator sports” in article ‘Global gathering’ in Vision (Fresh perspective from Dubai), p27-31. Sept, 2013
  • Discussion of Australian Grand Prix success on ABC Radio. Jan 17th, 2012
  • Article: ‘Australian Open: why the tennis works but the Grand Prix struggles’ in The Conversation. Jan 16th, 2012

 

Membership of Professional Body

  • Member, Regional Studies Association
  • Member, The Tourism Society
  • Business Event Committee Member (Edinburgh Tourism Action Group)
  • Member, Leisure Studies Association
  • Association of Event Management Education (member)
  • Associate Member (& Co-chair of Event Studies SiG), CAUTHE

 

Non-executive Directorship

  • Board of Directors/ Committee Member, b-side Multi-Media Arts Festival, Portland (2016-2018)
  • Co-chairperson, Event Studies SIG, CAUTHE (2015-Feb 5th, 2022)
  • Committee Member, Western Melbourne Tourism (2012-2015)
  • Secretary, Tourism Society Scotland (2002-2005)

 

Public/Community Engagement

  • Edinburgh Business Tourism Providers - Community Calculator (Community Consultation and Matrics Creation) (2021-22)
  • #ILovePortland 2019 - A public consultation on the Isle of Portland, UK (2019)
  • b-side Arts Festival Non-Executive Director (Sustainability) (2017-2018)
  • Committee Member (and Logistics Manager) Yaraville Arts Festival (2008-2011/2)

 

Filter by

Date


69 results

Destination Net Zero – Net Zero Events Baseline Review

Report
Robertson, M., Ali-Knight, J., Barnes, C. A., Brogan, J., Brown, C., Myers, K., & Wharmby, C. (2022)
Destination Net Zero – Net Zero Events Baseline Review. VisitScotland
Guided by the key themes of measuring, monitoring, decarbonisation and adaptation, an extensive body of knowledge in these four areas relating to carbon emission and managemen...

Building resilience and future proofing events education

Conference Proceeding
Jaimangal-Jones, D., Jackson, C., & Robertson, M. (2021)
Building resilience and future proofing events education
This session explores issues surrounding the design and delivery of Event Management programmes, specifically those related to their resilience and futureproofing. It addresse...

Studying the complexities of events and festivals and relationships to the visitor economy

Book Chapter
Robertson, M., Mair, J., Lockstone-Binney, L., & Duignan, M. B. (2021)
Studying the complexities of events and festivals and relationships to the visitor economy. In M. Duignan (Ed.), Managing events, festivals and the the visitor economy - concepts, collaborations and cases (5-13). CAB International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781789242843.0002
This chapter argues festivals and events are complex management and organisational contexts. It suggests overlaying events management studies with organisational studies is a ...

Applying Blooms Taxonomy in the development of event management curricula (in challenging times) - a personal future reflection

Presentation / Conference
Robertson, M. (2021, June)
Applying Blooms Taxonomy in the development of event management curricula (in challenging times) - a personal future reflection. Paper presented at Event Education Festival: Mastering Event Education – Mastering Events, Hochschile Hannover, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany

COVID 19 - Mass Gathering Events and Attendee Safety Protocol for Turbulent times

Conference Proceeding
Hutton, A., Robertson, M., & Ranse, J. (2021)
COVID 19 - Mass Gathering Events and Attendee Safety Protocol for Turbulent times. In CAUTHE 2021 Conference Online: Transformations in uncertain times: future perfect in tourism, hospitality and events. , (27
This paper forwards a psychosocial perspective of event safety management. In a time of social and economic upheaval - exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic, safety has become ...

An attitudinal impacts analysis of social media platforms and brand relationship quality at music festivals

Journal Article
Strand, A., & Robertson, M. (2020)
An attitudinal impacts analysis of social media platforms and brand relationship quality at music festivals. Event Management, 24(6), 769-788. https://doi.org/10.3727/152599520X15894679115538
The purpose of this study is determination of ways in which music festival organizers can target their social media communication with greater certainty toward younger generat...

City resilience and transforming reason: a discussion of business event narratives

Conference Proceeding
Robertson, M., & Pyke, J. (2020)
City resilience and transforming reason: a discussion of business event narratives. In 20:20 Vision: New Perspective on the diversity of Hospitality, Tourism and Events. Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference. , (635
In a time of tremendous environmental, social and economic change, the authors apply the reasoning that sustainability is a transcendent societal mega-mega trend (Varey, 2013)...

Visioning and resilience of craft beer festival tourism: attendee as flaneur/flaneuse

Conference Proceeding
Robertson, M., & Adams, A. (2020)
Visioning and resilience of craft beer festival tourism: attendee as flaneur/flaneuse. In 20:20 Vision: New Perspective on the diversity of Hospitality, Tourism and Events. Proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference. , (695
In the work discussed here, the researchers focus on the changing form and function of consumption at Beer Festivals (BFs). The increasing significance of food variety and foo...

Legacy

Presentation / Conference
Robertson, M. (2020, February)
Legacy. Presented at Major Events as a Catalyst for Social Change, Melbourne, Australia
A discussion of the role of social legacy as drivers of events in Australia, with focus on the role of specialist sport events in social evolution of women in sport and societ...

The forward facing flaneur: a fresh look at information seeking for the beer festival attendee

Presentation / Conference
Robertson, M., & Adams, A. (2019, July)
The forward facing flaneur: a fresh look at information seeking for the beer festival attendee. Paper presented at Leisure Studies Association (LSA) 2019, Abertay University, Dundee
Dӧrk, Carpendale and Williamson (2011) review the Flaneur (Baudelaire, 1863) in contemporary settings, positing the information flanuer as representing a new way of thinking a...

Pre-Napier Funded Projects

  • Arts England Council Catalyst Small Grant Application (Bournemouth University & b-side Multimedia Festival CIC) (Awarded 2018)
  • Pathways to sustainability: festival leaders and transformative futures (leader/ internal) (2017)
  • Developer, Coordinator and Trainer: Professional Diploma in Event Management, Office of Knowledge Exchange, Victoria University (leader) (2013-14)
  • ICCA Commission (team member): Investigating Ambassador Programmes: Motives for Bidding for International Meetings and Events Bureaus’ (2012-2013)
  • Sport events and rural destination narrative. UCI MB Championship (leader/ internal) (2012-13)

Current Post Grad projects

Previous Post Grad projects

Non-Napier PhD or MSc by Research supervisions

  • PhD (Victoria University, Melbourne): Micaela Joy Spiers (Families with adolescents: vacation decision making) (Professor AM Hede, Dr R. Garma & Dr. M. Robertson) (Awarded 2017)