An Investigation of Current Events Management Education (EME) in Relation to the Requirements of the Events Industry: A LEGS (lecturers, employers, graduates and students) perspective.

Events management education (EME) is an area of education that has seen considerable growth since it first appeared in the UK twenty years ago. This in-depth review is centred on the perspective of the four main stakeholders, namely the lecturers, employers, graduates and students (LEGS). Conducted between 2011 and 2016 using mixed methods research, the thesis follows a grounded theory interpretative approach and contributes to the progress and direction of future EME awards. A central concern of this thesis is to investigate the supposed gaps that exist between education and industry and challenges many of the perspectives that bring into question the quality of EME in the 21st century that have dominated much of the EME debate. It highlights concerns from within the teaching environment that are central to the design and delivery of EME awards. By doing so, this thesis sets up a new research agenda focusing more specifically on issues of real concern to EME and the relationships of those involved in managing the expectations of each of the main stakeholders. This thesis provides value by presenting an account of the challenges facing EME and the experiences of graduates entering the events industry today. It draws together insights from EME literature and fieldwork, industry and academic professionals, students and graduates, and provides a strong basis from which further research can be developed