The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) worked with the Scottish Government to lead a policy event series in Autumn 2025 designed to further strengthen links and collaboration between social science PhD researchers, supervisors and policymakers.
Discussion groups of students, policy makers and academics at the SGSSS and Scottish Government policy event
The series comprised three events with the following themes:
1. Research drawing on the UK Household Longitudinal Study, also known as “Understanding Society”
2. Research on the theme of Population Ageing and Social Care
3. Research on the theme of Mental Health and Wellbeing
The events offered government colleagues an insight into emerging work from social science PhD students from across Scotland. Enduring connections were successfully formed between policy makers, PhD students, academics, and other organisations with an interest in the topic area. This work reflects SGSSS Research in Practice and Challenge-led pathways that support students to attain the skills and experience to work and communicate research across disciplines and sectors. The policy series followed a successful pilot event in 2023 that considered evidence and policy on violence against women and girls.
There was strong interest in the event across the SGSSS PhD network, with over 100 applications received. 31 students were selected by the Scottish Government and SGSSS to present their work. Over 100 people attended across the three events.
The series was very positively received by attendees, and reported outcomes included a student presenting their research to over 100 people at the Scottish Government social care policy directorate weekly policy meeting, a student presenting their work to the UK Household Longitudinal Survey User Group, and two students presenting their research to the Allied Health Professional Care Home Oversight Group. These follow-up actions, collaborations, and increased awareness of SGSSS students’ research highlight the value of such events in bringing together policy and social science research from across Scotland.
Six months on from the events, SGSSS have released a report summarising the findings and the outcomes for students and Scottish Government colleagues who participated in the event series.
Our thanks go to Scottish Government colleagues Breda Cullen, Alix Rosenberg and Ian MacNeill for their support of this event.
