On Monday 16 May 2018, Universities Scotland will give evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee. We will focus on our progress with widening access to higher education and on the goal that 20 per cent of entrants to university should be from the poorest 20 per cent of neighbourhoods by 2030. Ahead…
Briefings & Evidence
Get in touch for more information on these, or any other, areas of activity
Tapping All Our Talents Review 2018: Women in STEM
Universities Scotland has responded to an open consultation by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, who are reviewing progress towards gender equality in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). You can read our full response here. In 2012, the RSE published its report Tapping All Our Talents, a comprehensive set of recommendations for Scotland aimed at increasing both the proportion of…
Submission to All-Party Parliamentary University Group
Universities Scotland has submitted a briefing to the All-Party Parliamentary University Group to help inform their meeting on higher education in the devolved nations. All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party groups who meet informally to discuss issues of concern or importance. The University APPG will meet on 9 May to discuss UK-wide challenges for…
Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee European Structural and Investment Funds Inquiry
Universities Scotland has responded to the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee inquiry on European Structural and Investment Funds. You can read our submission here. Our submission outlines how our members interact with current European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) across a number of activities, including innovation and skills development, to contribute to smart, sustainable and…
Further submission of evidence to Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee inquiry on Scotland’s Economic Performance
On 6th March 2018, our Director Alastair Sim gave evidence to the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee on Scotland’s Economic Performance. You can watch the proceedings below: width=”560″ height=”315″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen”> After the session, the Committee got in touch to ask Universities Scotland to provide more information about knowledge exchange funding as well as…
Response to consultation on the attainment and achievement of school-aged children experiencing poverty
Universities Scotland has responded to an inquiry on the impact of experiencing poverty on young people at school. The inquiry, by the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee, will examine how poverty can affect the attainment and achievement of school-aged children. Given Scotland’s goal of widening access to university to those from all socio-economic backgrounds, we welcome the opportunity…
Universities Scotland’s position on the development of Framework Programme 9
We have responded to a public consultation on the development of the EU’s Framework Programme 9 (FP9). The new research and innovation programme will succeed Horizon 2020 when it expires in a couple of years. You can read our full submission here.
Briefing for Scottish Government Debate: A Migration System that Meets the Needs of Scotland
On Thursday 22 February 2018, the Scottish Parliament hosted a Scottish Government debate on A Migration System that Meets the Needs of Scotland. Universities Scotland were happy to brief MSPs ahead of the debate about a subject that is of huge importance for the sector. You can read our brief here.
Sir Peter Scott’s appearance at Education and Skill Committee: Universities Scotland briefing
On Wednesday 21 February 2018 the Commissioner for Fair Access, Professor Sir Peter Scott gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee about his role in widening access. Our brief includes a short update on delivery of the set of 15 actions we as a sector are working on and sets out some of…
Our response to Commons Science and Technology Committee’s Brexit inquiry
Universities Scotland has responded to a call for evidence from the UK Parliament’s Science and Technology Committee. This month, the committee will host the ‘Brexit: Science and Innovation‘ summit, to identify actions to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities for UK science, research and innovation after Brexit. You can read our full submission here.