Implications of the 2026 Scottish election outcome
When
Thursday 28 May 2026
12:30 - 13:30
Format
Online
Age
16+
Cost
Free
About
The RSE and NCUB are hosting a webinar to examine what the next Scottish Government’s agenda could mean for university-business collaboration, investment in R&D and skills, and long‑term economic competitiveness.
What the webinar will explore:
- The headline policy commitments emerging from the election campaign and their implications for collaboration.
- How potential shifts in funding, regulation, and skills policy could affect joint projects, innovation pipelines, and regional economic development.
- Opportunities for universities and businesses to shape the post election agenda and advocate for partnership driven growth.
- Practical considerations for planning in a period of political and financial uncertainty.
This event offers a timely, evidence‑led space for leaders across higher education and industry to understand what is changing, what it means for their organisations, and how collaboration can remain resilient and strategic in the next phase of Scottish policymaking.
Event type
Contributors
Rosalind Gill
Director of Policy, Analysis and External Affairs, NCUB
Professor Sir Anton MuscatelliDr Poonam Malik, Vice President Economy and Enterprise, RSE
President, RSEProfessor Sir Anton Muscatelli was Principal and Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow between 2009-2016 and from 2007-2009 he was Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University. An economist, his research interests are monetary economics, central bank independence, fiscal policy, international trade and finance, and macroeconomics.
Sir Anton is a member of the University Grants Committee, Hong Kong and he is Chair of its Research Group. He was a Director of the UK Universities Superannuation Scheme (2015-2024), one of the largest private pension funds in the UK. From 2017-2020 he was Chair of the prestigious Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities. He has held numerous UK and Scottish government advisory roles including Chair of the First Minister of Scotland’s Standing Council on Europe, member of the Scottish Government’s Council of Economic Advisers and adviser to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee. He has also advised the European Commission and the World Bank. He is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Economic Society.
Sir Anton was knighted in 2017 for services to economics and higher education and was awarded the honour of Knight Commander (Commendatore) by the Republic of Italy in 2008 for contributions to higher education and economic science. He holds honorary degrees from McGill University and Nankai University.
Dr Janet Brown FRSE
Vice President Education, RSEDr Janet Brown has held many influential roles within Scottish Education; as Chief Examining Officer and Chief Executive of the SQA. This experience gives her a unique overview across the sector — in schools, colleges, universities and in-work training provision. She is currently the RSE Vice President for Education and Education Committee Convener. She spent 20 years in the US working in the semiconductor industry before returning to Scotland.
Dr Poonam Malik FRSE
Vice President Economy and Enterprise, RSEDr Poonam Malik is an entrepreneurial, business strategist, academic leader and investor in Innovation. Leadership expertise is in investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, research, governance, & business sectors, globally. Dr Malik is Co-Founder and Board Director of Microplate Dx, a multi-award winning company tackling Anti-Microbial Resistance. A GlobalScot, Board Director- at Skills Development Scotland, Univ of St Andrews Business School, and former Board Member of Scottish Enterprise, SDI (till Dec2025)- Dr Malik has held leadership across public, private, HigherEducation and SocialEnterprise Sectors.
She was appointed Co-Chair of ‘New Deal for Business Group’ by the Scottish Government’s First Minister-to improve policy & Business relationships. Formerly the Head of Investments at University of Strathclyde-Dr Malik led on University’s Investments into commercialisation of startups, spinouts/spinin companies.
Poonam brings expertise in Life Sciences, Biotech, MedTech & HealthTech businesses. She is passionate about Diversity, Equality for Women/Ethnic leaders & climate change. Poonam held Academic positions at Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cumbria/Lancaster and in India. Also Fellow with Royal Society of Biology (FRSB), Poonam holds an MBA (Distinction) in ‘Strategy and Leadership’ from University of Edinburgh BusinessSchool, a PhD in BiomedicalSciences/Virology from University of Glasgow, a Masters in Biotechnology & a Bachelors in Chemistry & Zoology from India.
Contact us
If you have an event enquiry, please email us on public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk.