Access: Developing a research agenda for Edinburgh festivals and events

Festivals and events have assumed a prominent place in the social and economic fabric of Edinburgh, to a point where it now enjoys a reputation as a leading festivals and event destination. In Edinburgh, as in other festival destinations, most of the research and evaluation effort has been concerned with ‘proving’ the economic benefits of individual events. The limitations of focussing on narrow economic outcomes are now widely recognised in terms of the comparability, reliability and utility of the estimates produced. Whilst the attention of stakeholders has been on economic benefits, the very important cultural, community and social benefits have been overlooked. Important issues such as engagement with the arts, community, cultural, social and stakeholder benefits and dis-benefits produced have yet to be researched in any systematic way. This paper develops a comprehensive research agenda for Edinburgh Festivals based on the published articles, existing strategies and documentation, and relevant extant knowledge in festivals and events research. The agenda will be of interest to the numerous festivals and events stakeholders in Edinburgh as well as other destinations that are seeking to understand the social and cultural as well the economic dimensions of festivals and event