Single Knowledge Exchange Office Working Group
24 April 2012
Paper SKEOWG8
Agenda Item 4
Knowledge Exchange beyond science and technology
Summary
This paper summarises, and provides links to, a number of initiatives to encourage knowledge exchange between Scottish HEIs and partners in the areas of public policy, cultural engagement and public engagement.
Background
Public Policy engagement
The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science( ) is a unique collaboration between 10 universities in Scotland to make available outstanding research training to doctoral students in the social sciences. The aim of the SGSSS is to improve both the quantity and quality of postgraduate research provision in the social sciences across Scotland.
At the heart of the Graduate School is the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council’s Doctoral Training Centre in Scotland. Established in 2011 as the biggest in ESRC's UK-wide network of training centres, the Scottish DTC offers ESRC-accredited training in 24 different training pathways. Each pathway involves collaboration across a number of Scottish universities to make sure the best expertise gets to the right students.
The ESRC has awarded 65 full studentships annually to the Scottish DTC for each of the next five years, with the first intake in September 2011. They encourage and expect 20 per cent of each DTC’s allocation will involve some form of collaboration with other public, private or third sector organisations.
The ESRC is not prescriptive about the type of collaboration, but asks DTCs to demonstrate that the studentships are developed in collaboration with other organisations and involve substantive user engagement and knowledge exchange activity as part of the award. This could be achieved through collaborative studentships and other opportunities such as internships and placements.
An additional 15 doctoral studentship awards will be co-funded by the Scottish Government. Students will work closely with academic supervisors at SGSSS member universities as well as with an analyst from the Scottish Government.
Finally, 7 collaborative ESRC doctoral students will work closely with academic supervisors at SGSSS member universities as well as with non-academic partner supervisors, such as charities or third sector organisations.
The Public Policy Networkat the University of Edinburgh ( ) aims to promote communication and collaboration among researchers, policy makers and practitioners in Edinburgh, across Scotland and beyond.It exists as a resource for individuals and organizations developing, commissioning, conducting and debating policy-relevant research. It also serves as a reference point for those looking for an expert opinion on a particular issue.
The PPN supports the University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ new Exchange Fellowships, which provide opportunities for policy makers and practitioners in all fields to develop university-based projects. The Fellows remain employed and salaried by their employer and the University resources are provided in kind, although there may be opportunities for applying for external funding for activities.
The Scottish Universities Insight Institute( ) supports programmes of knowledge exchange which address and provide insight on substantial issues that face Scotland and the wider world. Their programmes break down disciplinary and organisational barriers in bringing together academics from different backgrounds, policymakers and practitioners. They mobilise existing knowledge in fresh ways through sustained and collaborative focus on a shared issue and aim to support decision makers in all sectors of society in being better informed.
Organising teams must include member employed at 2 partner universities. These universities are:
Aberdeen
Dundee
Edinburgh
St Andrews
Stirling
Strathclyde
Academics from other Scottish universities may participate but not lead programmes.
TheScottish Policy Innovation Forum( ) is a network of academics and individuals from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Its purpose is to foster better and more meaningful dialogue between academics and policymakers, with a view to ensuring that public policy is better informed by research. Membership of the forum is open to anyone with a professional interest in the development of public policy.
ScotHub ( is a web-site intended to be a one-stop-shop for access to the latest news, events, publications and thinking on public policy and management in Scotland. The site is free, easy to use and open to anyone with an interest in government and current affairs in Scotland.
ScotHub is a joint initiative supported by the Scottish Policy Innovation Forum, the Scottish Public Management Network, the University of Aberdeen and the Economic and Social Research Council.
Registered users can upload their profiles, notices, links, and documents and can chat online with one another.
Cultural Engagement
There are many ways in which Scottish universities contribute to the cultural life of the nation, but it has proved very difficult to quantify this in a way that is proportionate to the potential rewards. Beyond the obvious examples of specialist institutions like the Glasgow School of Art or the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, another 3 Scottish universities now include Art Schools, and many others (for instance) teach and research creative disciplines, host museums, performances or exhibitions, or have buildings of architectural merit. SFC recognises this by providing £70k per annum for each institution, intended to fund one FTE staff member to support such activities, and requires each HEI in return to submit a cultural engagement strategy. Many HEIs have found this very useful since it was introduced 3 years ago.
Of course, Scotland’s creative industries have a vital role to play in the economy, and a report commissioned by Universities Scotland last year explored the part that our members can play in this; copies can be found on our web-site at
Public engagement
Public engagement describes the myriad of ways in which the activity and benefits of higher education and research can be shared with the public. Engagement is by definition a two-way process, involving interaction and listening, with the goal of generating mutual benefit.
Edinburgh Beltane ( ) brings together the expertise from 5 Higher Education Institutions in Edinburgh and the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI), with 11 other public, policy, research and engagement partners who increase the capacity to innovate and inspire. It has a strong focus on the partnerships which promote knowledge exchange, enable participants to see the bigger picture and ultimately underpin quality public engagement activities. The vision is that working together, sharing resources and supporting each other can achieve better results than anyone working individually. By creating opportunities to network and share best practice, interdisciplinary and cross-organisation public engagement collaborations are actively encouraged. This extends into an online community with an innovative website hub which features a wiki, forums and blogs. This initiative was funded by the Research Councils and the Funding Councils from 2007 to 2012; some of the funded institutions have now embedded Beacon functions within their own public engagement activities.
Recommendation
The working group is invited to:
- consider the information presented in this paper; and
- discuss how such initiatives might be better integrated, and better related to other knowledge exchange activities.
Further information
Dr Charles Marriott, Senior Policy Officer, Universities Scotland
E-mail:
Single Knowledge Exchange Office Working Group
24 April 2012
Paper SKEOWG8
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