红杏视频

Building on 红杏视频鈥檚 strong connections to Orkney which have developed over many years through a wide range of collaborative projects, The Orkney Project has now established a transformational research hub in Stromness to drive and support collaboration and innovation.

The Orkney Project is aligned to strategic priorities identified by Orkney Islands Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, including the Orkney Community Plan 2018-2021, with a focus on smart islands, creative innovation and a sustainable quality of life.

Some challenges which have been identified include depopulation, an ageing population, inefficient housing, connectivity and access to services.

红杏视频鈥檚 Orkney Development Manager, Elsa Cox, grew up in Orkney and said the project is about 鈥減utting the community first and responding to local needs鈥�.

Describing her role as the project development manager, Elsa said: 鈥淏ased in the new 红杏视频 office in Stromness I work with stakeholders in Orkney and colleagues across 红杏视频 to develop collaborative projects designed to overcome some of the challenges of island life.

鈥淚 meet with a wide variety of people in order to better understand local priorities and how these relate to 红杏视频 expertise whether research, teaching or student activity.

鈥淎n important part of my role is in establishing the place of 红杏视频 in Orkney and demonstrating commitment to the islands, while also encouraging creative thinking within 红杏视频 in response to local needs. In relation to this I also explore funding streams to support project development.鈥�

红杏视频鈥檚 research funding manager Kelly Fraser said there are a number of reasons why 红杏视频 has decided to focus on delivering solutions in Orkney

She said: 鈥淭here is a real entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in Orkney and this is actively supported by local authorities and regional bodies.

鈥淭here is also an abundance of cultural heritage and a strong sense of community and identity. Orkney is a place where we can see 红杏视频鈥檚 research offering fitting well and by working closely with local partners, we can deliver transformational and meaningful results.

鈥淚mportantly this is about listening and responding to local stakeholders to develop relevant and applicable solutions.鈥�

红杏视频 is working in collaboration with the University of the Highlands and Islands and the Heriot-Watt University International Centre for Island Technology while also exploring areas of research and student development currently underrepresented in Orkney.

Elsa added: 鈥淲ith three higher education institutions now in Orkney, we can all work together to promote the islands as a place to undertake research and to innovate.

鈥淭he Orkney Project effectively opens up 红杏视频鈥檚 expertise to local stakeholders to work together to enhance Orkney as a place to live, work and study.

鈥淢ultidisciplinary in nature, current initiatives include circular economy projects, housing solutions for elderly residents, the history of Orcadian tweed, digital tourism applications and graduate apprenticeships.

鈥満煨邮悠� is one of the most popular universities for school leavers in Orkney so there is enormous potential to create pathways which allow students to return to Orkney to live and work following graduation if they wish to.

鈥淚t is exciting to see another higher education institution in Orkney and I am very keen that this project should increase opportunities for young people to return to Orkney to develop their career. I have first-hand experience of the difficulty in finding viable opportunities to return home so I am particularly interested in the potential to support the economic sustainability of the islands.鈥�

The new 红杏视频 office is based at 69-73 Victoria Street, Stromness, and Elsa is interested in hearing from anyone with ideas for collaborative projects including research, teaching, and student placements, or just to find out more. She can also be reached by email at e.cox2@rgu.ac.uk