Scottish Centre for Contemporary Scottish Studies

Scottish Centre for Contemporary Scottish Studies
Name	Scottish Centre for Contemporary Scottish Studies
Established	20XX
Type	Research centre
City	Edinburgh
Country	Scotland
Affiliations	University of Edinburgh; University of Glasgow; University of Aberdeen

Contents

Scottish Centre for Contemporary Scottish Studies The Scottish Centre for Contemporary Scottish Studies is an interdisciplinary research centre based in Edinburgh focused on contemporary Scottish affairs. It engages scholars, policymakers, and cultural practitioners across collaborations with institutions such as the University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of Aberdeen, Heriot-Watt University and University of Stirling. The centre connects to civic partners including Scottish Parliament, National Records of Scotland, Creative Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland and international partners like European Commission and Council of Europe.

History

Founded in the early 21st century amid debates following the Devolution referendum, 1997 and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, the centre grew from networks linking researchers active in studies of Scottish independence referendum, 2014, Brexit referendum, 2016 and policy research tied to the Calman Commission. Early collaborations included projects with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Economic and Social Research Council and the British Academy, drawing on scholarly traditions associated with figures and institutions such as Tom Nairn, Hugh MacDiarmid, National Museum of Scotland and the Fraser of Allander Institute. Over time the centre expanded linkages to civic movements like Yes Scotland and Better Together and to European networks such as the European Consortium for Political Research and the Network of European Union Centers of Excellence.

The centre's mission foregrounds analysis of contemporary Scottish society through research strands addressing constitutional politics, cultural identity, social policy, and urban and rural governance. Research themes engage with the legacy of events and institutions including the Act of Union 1707, the Scottish Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution in Scotland, and contemporary phenomena involving Scottish independence referendum, 2014, Brexit, and devolution settlements like the Scotland Act 1998 and Scotland Act 2016. Interdisciplinary inquiry draws on partnerships with the UK Parliament, European Parliament, World Health Organization collaborations on public health inequalities, and cultural studies linked to the Edinburgh International Festival and Celtic Connections.

Governance typically comprises an academic director drawn from faculties such as School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh or School of Law, University of Glasgow, an advisory board including representatives from agencies like Creative Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Skills Development Scotland and stakeholders from charities including Age Scotland and Samaritans. The centre's research staff include principal investigators affiliated with research councils such as the Economic and Social Research Council, fellows from bodies like the Royal Society of Edinburgh and visiting scholars from international partners including Columbia University, University of Toronto, Max Planck Society and University of Melbourne. The centre is embedded in networks with the Scottish Funding Council, regional bodies such as Highlands and Islands Enterprise and civic research hubs like Glasgow City Council policy teams.

Major projects have examined constitutional futures (linked to Independence Referendum, 2014 analyses), migration and diaspora studies connected to Highland Clearances, transnational markets research tied to North Sea oil and gas and climate policy research engaging with initiatives such as COP26. Publications range from monographs and edited volumes published with academic presses associated with Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Routledge and Edinburgh University Press to policy briefs circulated to bodies like the Scottish Government and UK Government. High-profile collaborative reports co-authored with organizations including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Resolution Foundation and Institute for Public Policy Research have analyzed welfare reform, labour markets influenced by NHS Scotland workforce dynamics, and urban regeneration projects linked to Glasgow's Commonwealth Games 2014.

The centre contributes to postgraduate teaching across programmes such as MSc degrees in Public Policy, Scottish Studies and International Relations offered by University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, supervises doctoral candidates funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council, and hosts lecture series with invited speakers from institutions like British Academy, Royal Society of Edinburgh and cultural figures connected to Literary Tourism and festivals such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Outreach includes public seminars in partnership with venues like National Library of Scotland, media engagement with outlets such as the BBC, The Scotsman and The Herald (Glasgow), and collaborative exhibitions with the National Galleries of Scotland and community organisations including Barras Art and Design.

Funding sources combine grants from bodies such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Economic and Social Research Council, the Scottish Funding Council and philanthropic support from trusts like the Heritage Lottery Fund and Britannia Foundation. Governance oversight involves university steering committees, external auditors and compliance with regulatory frameworks administered by entities such as the Higher Education Funding Council for England (in cross-border projects), the Office for Students for UK-wide standards, and ethics review panels aligned with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity. Financial accountability is reported to partner institutions including University of Aberdeen and stakeholders such as Scottish Government directorates.

Category:Research institutes in Scotland