Policy advice
The RSE provides independent and authoritative evidence to help inform public policy decisions and legislation. Using the wide-ranging expertise of our Fellowship, we provide advice across important national and global issues. Our contributions support policymakers in the Scottish and UK parliaments and governments.
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Latest advice papers
Industrial decarbonisation and skills in Scotland
Read MoreIndustrial decarbonisation presents Scotland with a major opportunity to reshape its economy for the future. To succeed, the transition must be: Strategically planned, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable
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Valuing local communities in research and policymaking
Read MoreA report exploring community‑rooted research and why valuing lived experience and local knowledge is essential to effective policymaking.
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The future of council tax in Scotland
Read MoreThe RSE has responsed to the consultation on the future of council tax in Scotland. It is vital that the Scottish Government and COSLA follow through on their commitment to reforming council tax.
Projects
We run projects on a range of policy issues at global, national, and local levels with our Fellowship playing a key role in sharing knowledge to policymakers and elected officials.
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Constitutional Futures Initiative
Read MoreAn impartial and expert reflection on Scotland’s constitutional options and how these have been reshaped by Brexit and Covid.
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Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission
Read MoreThe RSE Post Covid-19 Futures Commission was established to support Scotland in emerging as positively as it can from the current pandemic.
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Rethinking policy impact
Read MoreGathering experts across higher education institutions, funding organisations and government for a UK-wide conversation on the principles, goals and approaches that should guide the policy…
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Scotland-Europe Initiative
Read MoreThe RSE's Scotland-Europe Initiative will examine Scotland’s and the UK’s relations with the European Union post-Brexit.
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Tertiary Education Futures
Read MoreThe Tertiary Education Futures project was a ‘blue-skies’ thought experiment to stimulate continued creative thinking about how post-school education might evolve over the next few…
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Funding of tertiary education in Scotland conference
Read MoreThe RSE held an evidence-based conference about the future of the funding of tertiary education in Scotland.
Networks
Connecting with shared values for the betterment of society.
Latest policy advice news
Next generation of entrepreneurial academics to be supported by relaunched programme.
Professor Christina Boswell FRSE has been appointed the new Chair of the Campaign for Social Science.
The Spring/Summer 2026 edition of ReSourcE magazine explores the theme of trust – that of institutions, of norms, of healthcare, of one another.
Latest policy advice resources
Professor Mark Turner on why healthcare systems rely on voluntary blood donors rather than paying for donations.
Professor Nicole Busby proposes that a legal duty of candour could help rebuild trust in public institutions by requiring them to be open, honest and transparent.
Medical mistrust is fuelling vaccine hesitancy. Can we overcome the trust paradox to rebuilt trust and improve public health?
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Contact us
For more information regarding the policy advice programme, please contact the Policy Advice team on: