LSBU alumna’s research explores regional development in Scotland

Tina Irving, LSBU alumna, has been collaborating with LSBU researchers to carry out projects on regional development and tourism.

Tina is a freelance writer, project manager and a keen horsewoman. Having graduated from LSBU in BSc (Hons) Computing and Spanish, she went on to work as a contractor for RBS, Barclays and the Bank of Ireland. Yet it is her interest in tourism and regional development that brought her back to her alma matter. 

Tina’s research is a collaboration between the Dunnet Head Educational Trust and LSBU. Tina founded the Trust in 2003 to raise the profile of Dunnet Head as the most northerly point of the UK mainland: “The overall aim of the project is to investigate how different areas approach their regional development. The main economic drivers for the economy in north east of Scotland have been identified as tourism and renewable energy.”   

The project is also examining how other areas have benefited from regional development funding and how successful they have been in developing their economies. Tina is also working with researchers to cover such topics in Andalucia, Spain, where the main economic driver is also tourism.  

Tina recently became a member of the LSBU Alumni Association and is delighted to reconnect with LSBU following her time as a student which she credits with developing a kick start to her career:

“I’m looking forward to the ways in which membership can help me with my research and professional interests. My best memories of LSBU were the excellent lecturers and mentors who were an inspiration to students. I had a fantastic rapport with both students and lecturers.

"London in the 1990s was a very different place and South Bank has changed a lot since then. I loved the atmosphere around the Elephant and Castle and in the Students’ Union. After leaving LSBU, my first job was as a contractor for the Bank of Ireland in Dublin, the skills learned definitely earned me the contract, as well as other lucrative contracts as a project planner and manager in the financial services industry."

Tina has also signed up to become a mentor to current LSBU students as way of putting her wealth of experience and knowledge to help students enhance their employability skills. She is keen to stress that students should start thinking about their career options as early as possible: “Think carefully about what you want to do next.  Do you want to become an apprentice in a big company or work for a small-to-medium sized enterprise?  Learn business skills, especially how to market yourself, and start thinking about your CVs well in advance of graduating. Do not leave everything until the last minute... but do not let it interfere with the preparation of your dissertation either”