University of Cincinnati

05/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2026 21:35

A jolly good trip: Bearcats take on London for fragrance company

A jolly good trip: Bearcats take on London for fragrance company

NIS students perform field research for luxury brand Molton Brown

6 minute read May 15, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print Story Like

It was just their cup of tea.

NIS student Charlie Harker at London's Tower Bridge. Photo/Charlie Harker

Six NEXT Innovation Scholars from the University of Cincinnati traveled to London early this year to perform field research for luxury bath, body and fragrance brand Molton Brown. Working with an iconic British label in its birthplace was an ideal opportunity for these students, extending a partnership that continues to flourish between UC and Molton Brown's parent company, Kao.

Whether at their home base inside the UC 1819 Innovation Hub or across the pond in London, students in the program are known for sharing fresh ideas with world-class brands, expanding their own horizons in the process.

Learning in London

Kao chose UC's NEXT Innovation Scholars for their reputation as creative problem-solvers. The highly selective, cohort-based scholarship program immerses Bearcats in hands-on innovation while offering companies valuable insights from young leaders.

"Partnering with the University of Cincinnati's NEXT Innovation Scholars provides Kao with access to some of the brightest emerging talent in innovation," says Lindsay Stricker, the company's new technology innovator. "Engaging with them helps Kao stay closely attuned to what is relevant, inspiring and meaningful to the next generation, enabling the company to build brands and experiences that resonate in the marketplace."

To get the most from the students' perspectives, Kao assigned a range of research tasks:

NIS students at Molton Brown's London office. Photo/Charlie Harker

  • Consumer insights: Understand the mindset of typical Molton Brown consumers through immersion in London's luxury shopping scene. This meant observing products sold by Molton Brown and competing brands, helping the students analyze how the company's lineup connects with potential customers.
  • In-store visits: Travel to two stand-alone Molton Brown stores - one on Regent Street and one in Covent Garden - to speak with employees and test out products. Scholars observed customer service firsthand and interviewed Molton Brown retail employees about what matters most to their clientele.
  • Business strategy: Visit Molton Brown's headquarters for direct meetings with departments including sales, branding, digital marketing, information technology and analytics. These conversations illuminated the brand's vision and direction, offering insights the team could build on back home in Cincinnati.

Charlie Harker, a medical sciences major at the UC College of Medicine, valued the chance to connect more deeply with Molton Brown and its customer base.

"At NIS, our field work is centered on understanding the habits and motivations of individuals who interact with the brands we represent," she says. "We explored London in a way that mirrors how our clients' consumers might perceive it, aiming to understand the factors that influence their thoughts and behaviors."

From one Queen City to another

It wasn't all business for the NEXT Innovation Scholars. Over shared meals and while touring quintessentially British sites like the Palace of Westminster and the Tower Bridge, students strengthened friendships and enjoyed the city's energy and history.

"It was a blast to get to know each member of the project team individually," says Joshua Bryant, who is majoring in industrial and systems engineering. "Of course, we knew each other through NIS, but it's hard to get the bond of traveling together without traveling together."

Bryant, Harker and the rest of the team found joy in experiencing this opportunity abroad. For Harker, exploring London alongside fellow scholars was unforgettable.

"London is an incredible city with an abundance of things to see and do," she says. "I treasured every moment I spent exploring it, especially because I had the chance to bond with my fellow teammates in a place I have loved my entire life."

Where innovation gets real

While the trip offered many highlights, the real challenge began when students returned to Cincinnati. From their base at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub, students translated their experiences into forward-thinking strategies for Molton Brown.

NIS team performing an in-store visit. Photo/Joshua Bryant

For Elina Bishoyi, a mechanical engineering student in her first year with the scholars program, the London experience opened professional doors.

"NIS believed in my capabilities to provide a worthy output to a high-profile client, giving me the confidence to keep growing the amazing work the program does as well as contributing to the presence of UC on an international stage."

Back home, the NEXT Innovation Scholars had the chance to prove Kao's confidence well placed. As they crafted strategies for Molton Brown, each student drew on the lessons learned abroad.

Harker, Bryant and Bishoyi - along with teammates Safi Fofana, Sharvari Patil and Faith Rider - returned home with far more than souvenirs. They came back with sharpened skills, a deeper bond with an acclaimed British brand and experiences to shape their work for months to come.

Featured image at top: NIS students in front of the Palace of Westminster. Photo/Charlie Harker

Innovation Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.

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University of Cincinnati published this content on May 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 16, 2026 at 03:35 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]