Edinburgh Napier University has unveiled Scotland's first military research and engagement centre

The Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement opens ahead of Armed Forces Day on June 26 and will provide the armed forces with a community hub on campus.

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This centre, being launched at the university’s Craiglockhart campus, taps into Edinburgh Napier’s rich military past as Craiglockhart was a hospital for officers during the First World War.

It’s there that the meeting of great minds Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon took place, inspiring some of their most renowned poetry. The extensive War Poets Collection is now hosted at Craiglockhart.

Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans speaking to Personnel Recovery Officer Neil Davies and Officer Commanding Del Hamilton.Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans speaking to Personnel Recovery Officer Neil Davies and Officer Commanding Del Hamilton.
Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans speaking to Personnel Recovery Officer Neil Davies and Officer Commanding Del Hamilton.
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The Centre will further develop Edinburgh Napier’s reputation as a military-friendly university which is progressing its far-reaching research and education activity.

Researchers at Edinburgh Napier have already been pivotal in describing a new condition called Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) that can affect military personnel.

Edinburgh Napier is also actively involved with two international military networks focussed on research into education, wellbeing and military HR. It has identified even more opportunity to share knowledge around widening education opportunities for service members and veterans.

Already widely regarded for their collaborative work with the armed forces in higher education and research, Edinburgh Napier was the first Scottish university to receive the gold award from the Ministry of Defence in recognition of their commitment to the armed forces community, including ex-service personnel and their families.

The new centre will bring all Edinburgh Napier’s activity in this area into one hub to pave the way for more collaboration that will benefit the wider Scottish armed forces community.

This development unites with government ambitions to make Scotland a destination of choice for veterans and their families.

The university’s military research lead and centre director Dr Gerri Matthews-Smith said: “Thanks to the historical significance of the Craiglockhart campus, and the work done supporting armed forces education and research, Edinburgh Napier has always had strong links to the armed forces.

"The opening of this new centre demonstrates Edinburgh Napier’s commitment to the future of the armed forces and cements the foundations of our future activity supporting ex-military personnel in their transition to civilian life.

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“We are currently working on a variety of projects including Military Transition in Scotland, and working alongside the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) National Transitions Officer for Children and Young People of Armed Forces Families in Scottish Schools, which supports the wider network and their families.

"This comes following years of engagement with local schools, like Colinton Primary, to highlight to children of military families that they can aspire to a university education. This new centre will be essential in allowing us to continue working on research that benefits the military community.”

This development unites with government ambitions to make Scotland a destination of choice for veterans and their families.

Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, said: “The Scottish Government is wholehearted in our commitment to supporting our Armed Forces, veterans and their families in Scotland. These communities are an integral part of society with a considerable contribution to make.

“The launch of Napier University’s new Centre for Military Research, Education and Public Engagement is exactly the sort of innovative project which supports our wider commitment to make Scotland a destination of choice for veterans and their families.”

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