The RSE believes that council tax cannot be made ‘fairer’ while still using out-of-date valuations from 1991.
The RSE responds to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament’s inquiry on healthcare in Scotland’s remote and rural areas.
The RSE responds to the Scottish Government’s human right’s for Scotland Bill. Calling for careful application and caution.
The RSE puts forward recommendations for REF 2028 calling for equitable recognition in research assessment.
With a deterioration of intergovernmental relations, the RSE argues that devolution capability in Whitehall remains a weakness in government.
The Celtic Academies Alliance facilitated a discussion on the origins of devolved taxes and the extent to which new fiscal powers have been deployed by each administration.
Since the new framework, there is little evidence to suggest that relations have improved at the political level.
Evaluating Government support during the pandemic and the impact on Scottish economy’s revival.
The briefing supports the potential of regionalisation but emphasises the need to address limitations and create the right conditions for its success.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh has briefed MSP’s head of the national discussion on education undertaken by the Scottish Government.
The working group recognised that this energy transition is very complex – economically, politically, and socially
The RSE applauds the Scottish Government’s ambition to have an energy system that provides maximum community and economic benefits, leaving no one behind.
The prices in remote rural communities for some essential goods were already higher than those in urban centres.
The RSE’s response to the national discussion on education.
The RSE’s response to Professor Louise Hayward’s review of qualifications and assessment.
The LSG response to Professor Louise Hayward’s review of qualifications and assessment.
The LSG response to the national discussion on education.
The RSE supports the introduction and enforcement of robust measures to ensure grouse shooting is managed in a way that is compatible with wider environmental protection aims.
The RSE responds to an inquiry looking at the role of trusted voices in combating the spread of misinformation.
The RSE’s response to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
The RSE’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a new mental health and wellbeing strategy.
The RSE’s response to the Scottish Parliament Covid-19 Committee’s inquiry on the impact of Covid-19 on labour market inactivity.
The LSG response to Scottish Government’s consultation on enhanced data collection for educational improvement.
The RSE’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation enhanced data collection for educational improvement.
The RSE responds to an inquiry on post-pandemic economic growth focusing on the Scottish labour market with its unique challenges.
The RSE responds to Scotland’s first data strategy for health and social care gathering views on how data should be used, stored and managed.
The RSE’s response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on a Health and Social Care Strategy for Older People.
The RSE’s response to the Treasury Committee on the state of the UK’s venture capital industry, including the current opportunities & threats
Regionalisation marked a significant development in Scotland’s design and delivery of further education, but has not yet been fully realised.
Providing expertise from varied perspectives in the mental health field to produce a well-rounded response to this consultation.
RSE responds to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into delivering a science and technology strategy for the UK.
RSE responds to the Scottish Government’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Inquiry on Health Inequalities.
The RSE responds to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the draft fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
The RSE responds to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Resource Spending Review (RSR) Framework.
The RSE’s response to the UK Government on Human Rights Act reform broadly focuses on the Scottish perspective.
The RSE responds to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s inquiry into diversity in STEM.
The RSE welcomes the opportunity to respond to the UK Parliament Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into aligning the UK’s economic
RSE responds to Scottish Government’s draft Hydrogen Action Plan.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh has responded to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) consultation on the operation of the Research Excellent Grant (REG) and Research Postgraduate Grant (RPG).
The LSG response to Professor Ken Muir’s consultation on the proposed replacement of the SQA and reform of Education Scotland.
The RSE Education Committee response to Professor Ken Muir’s consultation on the proposed replacement of the SQA and reform of Education Scotland.
RSE response to the Scottish Government’s consultation ‘Agricultural transition in Scotland – first steps towards our national policy’.
RSE response to the independent review of research bureaucracy, prepared by a working group of the Celtic Academies Alliance.
The letter presents the LSG’s suggestions for proposed modifications to National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher assessments for 2020-21, in response to a consultation by SQA.
The RSE response to the Scottish Parliament Economy and Fair Work Committee’s call for views on Scotland’s Supply Chain.
The RSE broadly welcomes the proposals for a National Care Service, which are intended to change the way services and support are delivered in response to longstanding challenges.
The RSE response to the Scottish Parliament Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee inquiry into the Scottish Government’s international work.
Ninety per cent of Scotland’s territorial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions stem from energy production and consumption; ending the unabated use
RSE response to the Scottish Government’s Tax Policy and the Budget consultation.
This paper compares the key findings from the RSE’s 2011 Report section on Land Use and Climate Change with those
The challenges posed by climate change require unprecedented changes in our society and economy. This will necessarily require higher levels
RSE advice paper, facing up to climate change: 10 years on, climate change and environment (261KB, PDF) Climate change poses
In the 10 years since the RSE inquiry, “Facing up to Climate Change: breaking the barriers to a low-carbon Scotland”,
RSE response to the Scottish Government’s plans for establishing an independent public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Scotland.
RSE response to the UK Government’s plans to develop a National Resilience Strategy for the UK, prepared by the RSE Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission.
Response to the UK Government’s call for evidence to the International Development Strategy, laying out future international development.
The ongoing health crisis has had an uneven, detrimental impact across the board in the culture sector. Emergency funding provided by the Scottish Government has helped cultural organisations survive during the last two years, however, cultural organisations continue to operate with limited reserves and ongoing funding support from the Government is needed to ensure resilience in the sector.
Report of the RSE roundtable with the South of Scotland Enterprise on their consultation on the Draft Regional Economic Strategy for the South of Scotland.
The response highlights that the Covid-19 pandemic will have long term impacts on the Scottish Budget as it has increased public debt to its highest peacetime level.
The RSE response to a consultation by the Competition and Markets Authority on their Draft Guidance for the new Office for the Internal Market.
The Royal Society of Scotland has responded to the UK Parliament Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry into renewable energy in Scotland.
Intergovernmental relations in the UK face challenges and long-standing issues. Change is needed to promote cooperation, consultation and dispute resolution.
While the UK Government controls immigration and asylum policy, the Scottish Government and local authorities are responsible for supporting the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in Scottish communities. The proposed reforms will therefore have far-reaching consequences for how refugees and asylum seekers are treated and supported in the devolved nations.
What does a resilient nation look like? How can government, industry, and society learn from the pandemic, the future risks and challenges, and what are the priority actions to build resilience?
The RSE’s response to the British Business Bank (BBB) on their call for evidence around access to early-stage finance in Scotland.
In order to tackle climate change, we need more meaningful engagement founded on the policies that can contribute to behaviour and culture change.
This briefing paper highlights what the Learned Societies’ Group on Scottish STEM Education believes are the most prominent issues for STEM education in Scotland and presents associated recommendations and calls for action.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Education Committee responded to Scottish Qualifications Authority’s (SQA) consultation on proposed models for the 2021 appeals process.
The RSE has submitted a response to the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry on Scotland and the Shared
The RSE hosted a roundtable with members of the Scottish Affairs Committee, to contribute to the inquiry into universities and scotland.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh responded to the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM’s inquiry into Equity in the STEM Workforce.
As part of the Scottish Government consultation on the Digital Strategy for Scotland, the RSE jointly hosted a roundtable discussion
The RSE has submitted a response to the Scottish Government on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Research Strategy
The Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Education Committee recently prepared a response to the OECD review of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), commissioned by Scottish Government. This builds on the Committee’s representation in stakeholder sessions run by OECD this past autumn.
The LSG response to the OECD review of Curriculum for Excellence, providing insights into how CfE has impacted STEM subjects.
The RSE, in partnership with the Learned Society of Wales (LSW), Royal Irish Academy (RIA) and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FST), hosted an online roundtable in October. It discussed how the devolved nations can continue to build their research base and capacity, foster innovation and engage with the opportunities arising from the 2020 UK R&D Roadmap.
The review was commissioned by the Scottish Government and focuses on the role the sector can play in the economic recovery post-Covid, specifically the output of technology start-ups and spinouts in Scotland.
In addition to addressing the 6 questions posed by the consultation, the RSE response also highlighted several key themes for Scottish Government to consider, including Scotland’s priorities at the UK level, intergovernmental relations, and the macro-economic environment.
The RSE has submitted a response to the Scottish Government regarding the proposed ‘grand challenges’ (missions), in which the Scottish National Investment Bank (the Bank) will invest.
The RSE has responded to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s Inquiry into UK Science, Research and Technology Capability and Influence in Global Disease Outbreaks. The RSE response considers the role of science and scientific advice in informing government decision making on addressing Covid-19.
The RSE has responded to a consultation by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on a New UK Research Funding Agency.
The letter presents the LSG’s main observations with respect to the 2020 alternative assessment model and associated rapid review by Professor Mark Priestley.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy, welcomes the opportunity to respond to the UK Government’s White Paper
The RSE, Learned Society of Wales and Royal Irish Academy have written jointly to the Secretary of State for Business,
Report on RSE Fellows and Young Academy members’ discussion of Scottish Funding Council review into the coherence and sustainability of further and higher education in Scotland
Building on its recent advice paper on the Just Transition Commission interim report, the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has prepared a submission to the Scottish Parliament Environment, Climate Change, and Land Reform Committee’s call for evidence on a green recovery from COVID-19.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) has prepared a submission to the Scottish Parliament Environment, Climate Change, and Land Reform Committee’s call for evidence on the environmental aspects of the UK Withdrawal from the EU (Continuity) (Scotland) Bill.
The RSE has provided a letter response to the Cumberford-Little Report on the economic impact of Scottish colleges. This response
The RSE has submitted a response to the inquiry on Coronavirus and Scotland by the House of Commons Scottish Affairs
The RSE has prepared an advice paper in support of the Just Transition Commission’s call for evidence.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and the Learned Societies’ Group on Scottish STEM Education (LSG) prepared a joint submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee’s evidence session with Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney on COVID-19 and the re-opening of schools, which took place on Friday, 12 June, 2020.
The RSE response to the Scottish Parliament Finance and Constitution Committee’s Impact of COVID-19 on Public Finances and the Fiscal Framework inquiry.
A joint response in support of Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee’s evidence session on COVID-19 and the reopening of schools.
The LSG wrote to Scottish Government’s COVID-19 Education Recovery Group to recommend a reduction in examinable course content for 2020-21 in reflection of the widespread disruptions to teaching and learning brought on by the pandemic.
The RSE has responded to a consultation on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy for Scotland.
The RSE has responded to a consultation by Scottish Government on the Draft Offshore Wind Policy Statement.
The RSE and the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) have submitted a joint response to the Scottish and Irish Governments’ strategic review of Irish–Scottish relations.
The RSE has provided a letter response to the Muscatelli Report into the economic impact of Scottish universities.
The RSE has responded to a consultation from the Scottish Parliament Finance and Constitution Committee on Scotland and the UK Internal Market.
The RSE has published an advice paper setting out the actions and conditions needed to support interdisciplinary learning (IDL) in Scotland’s schools.
The RSE jointly hosted two thematic roundtable discussions on skills and innovation as a contribution to the Scottish Government consultation on The Replacement of European Structural Funds Post EU-Exit. 
The LSG response to the Scottish Government’s Education and Skills Committee’s inquiry into recruiting and training new teachers.
The LSG response to the General Teaching Council for Scotland’s (GTCS) consultation on revised Professional Standards and a new Professional Code.
The RSE has submitted a response to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee’s consultation on the Supply and Demand for Medicines.
The RSE has responded to a consultation from the Migration Advisory Committee on a Salary Threshold and Points-based Migration System.
With Scotland committed to increasingly ambitious action against climate change and with the transport sector in the midst of another technological revolution, the time is right to re-evaluate Scotland’s transport system to ensure it is ?t to meet these challenges and deliver high quality, modern services.
The Chief Executive of the RSE, Dr Rebekah Widdowfield, has written to Audrey Cumberford and Dr Paul Little in response to their review into the economic impact of Scotland’s colleges.
The RSE has responded to an Inquiry by the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee on the Future of Primary Care.
The RSE has provided a response to a call for evidence from Sir Anton Muscatelli into his review of the role Scottish universities play in working with industry in stimulating inclusive growth.
A multidisciplinary group of RSE Fellows met in June with Sir Adrian Smith FRS to contribute to his UK Government commissioned review into Future Frameworks for International Collaboration on Research and Innovation, post Brexit.
The RSE has responded to the Scottish Government consultation on a Policy Framework for Devolved Taxes.
The RSE has responded to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance in Scotland post-Brexit.
The LSG response to the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee’s call for evidence on the STEM experiences of three to seven year olds.
The RSE has responded to a Call for Evidence from the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy, and Fair Work Committee on the Bill for a Scottish National Investment Bank.
The RSE has responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee on their Inquiry into the Funding of EU Structural Funds Post-Brexit.
The RSE has responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee inquiry into Subject Choices.
The LSG response to the Scottish Parliament Education and Skills Committee’s inquiry into subject choice.
The RSE has submitted a response to the Scottish Funding Council’s independent call for evidence on Research Pooling. RSE advice
The RSE has responded to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee’s Inquiry into the implications of a ‘no
The RSE has responded to the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee’s Inquiry into the Future of Scottish Agriculture post-Brexit.
The RSE General Secretary, Dr Alison Elliot, has written to Professor Alan Manning, Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, in
The RSE has responded to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee inquiry into Scottish National Standardised Assessments in schools.
The RSE has responded to a consultation by the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee on ‘A Scottish Approach to Taxation’.
The Learned Societies’ Group on Scottish STEM Education (LSG) brings together the learned societies and professional associations with a focus
The LSG highlights challenges in recruiting and retaining STEM teachers, advocating for improved data on shortages and vacancies.
The LSG emphasises the need for coordinated alignment between the STEM strategy and other initiatives, e.g. National Improvement Framework.
We emphasise aligning data presentation with international standards and maintaining consistency within different levels of exams.
The RSE has submitted evidence to the Independent Commission on Competitive and Fair Taxation.
The survey revealed that both primary and secondary schools faced inadequacies in science equipment and funding.

ONGOING MAJOR INQUIRIES

A tree in a forest

Tree planting inquiry

The RSE has launched an inquiry into the benefits of public support through planting grants, tax allowances and carbon payments for tree planting in Scotland.

Find out more about the tree planting inquiry

SUPPORTED PROJECTS

The last five to ten years have seen many big developments impacting Scotland’s tertiary education system. Some positive changes have
An impartial and expert reflection on Scotland’s constitutional options and how these have been reshaped by Brexit and Covid.
The Celtic Academies Alliance brings together the national academies of Ireland – the Royal Irish Academy, Scotland – the Royal
The RSE’s Scotland-Europe Initiative will examine Scotland’s and the UK’s relations with the European Union post-Brexit.