Role of Scottish Higher Education Institutes in International Development

Post-2015 Conference, Glasgow3rd April 2014

Overview• Where we are• What we do– Evidence – research & technology– Capacity building – education & learning– Critical analysis & policy papers– Partnerships– Public engagement

• Future engagement with Scottish government

Universities• Centre for Sustainable International Development, University of

Aberdeen• Climate Justice Resource Hub, Glasgow Caledonian University• Environmental Research Institute, Highlands & Islands• Glasgow Centre for International Development, University of Glasgow• Global Development Academy & African Studies Centre, University of

Edinburgh• Graduate School of Natural Resources, Law, Policy and Management,

University of Dundee• Institute for International Health and Development, Queen Margaret

University• School of International Relations, University of St Andrews• University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

HEIs• Crichton Carbon Centre• James Hutton Institute– Water, ecosystems services, carbon sequestration

• Scottish Agricultural College• Scottish Police College

– Senior Leadership & Management training programme – International qualification in Policing Leadership & Management Skills– Community Safety training programme – International Vocational Award in Community Policing

Evidence• What is evidence & why it is needed in

international development?• Who is visible?• Who is counted?• How is change monitored & measured in

international development programmes?

Areas of expertisein Scotland

Cross-cutting areas• Capacity building at all skills levels• Critical analysis• Development economics• Equity in development• Ethics• Gender and development• Monitoring & measurement• Policy guidance

Energy• Energy, equity & development (Aberdeen)• Oil & gas (Aberdeen, Heriot Watt, Strathclyde)• Renewable energy (ERI, Strathclyde)

Environment & Food security• Biogas digesters (Aberdeen)• Biological & soil sciences (Aberdeen) • Carbon sequestration (Crichton Carbon Centre, James Hutton Institute)• Climate change (ERI, Strathclyde)• Ecosystems services (Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, ERI, James

Hutton Institute)• Environmental pollutants & waste management (Aberdeen,

Edinburgh, ERI)• Nutrition (Rowett Institute Aberdeen)• Water & sanitation (Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee, Strathclyde, James

Hutton Institute)

Global health (animal & human)• Animal health & parasitology (Edinburgh & Glasgow)• Health inequalities (Aberdeen & Strathclyde)• Reproductive health (Maternal morbidity & mortality) at the

Universities of Aberdeen & Edinburgh, HIV and sexual health (Aberdeen, Edinburgh & Queen Margaret’s)

• Universal health coverage at Queen Margaret’s University Edinburgh and vital registration (University of Aberdeen)

• Capacity building of health professionals (Universities of Aberdeen, Glasgow Caledonian, Robert Gordon, Strathclyde)

Governance & social inclusion, equity & justice

• Climate Justice (Glasgow, Strathclyde)• Gender (Aberdeen, Strathclyde)• Governance (Strathclyde)• Peace & security – fragile states (Queen Margaret’s

University)• Vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities

(Aberdeen)

Scottish governmentpost-2015 engagement

with HEIs

Government support to:1. Strengthen the research base in Scotland through

funding Sustainable Development Research and Policy Hubs in key thematic areas where we have a comparative advantage in Scotland:– energy, including renewable energy – environmental management and climate change– global health (especially maternal health & parasitology)– Governance, equity, social inclusion and social justice– capacity building and knowledge exchange

• The SD Research and Policy Hubs should include experienced researchers in the thematic area from Higher Education Institutes in Scotland and should be tasked to produce evidence-informed policy briefs for the Scottish government.

• Build on existing partnerships and strengths to deepen the research base in the global south, both in terms of new knowledge and of sustainable research capacity.

• • Help to establish a clear career structure for

researchers/scientists in the global south to reduce the brain drain, not only to Europe and North America, but also critically to South Africa.

• • Support a small number of partner countries

with sustainable long-term programmes so as not to spread support too thinly have a greater impact.

Recommend

• The SD Research and Policy Hubs to include experienced researchers in the thematic area from HEIs in Scotland & be tasked to generate knowledge & produce evidence-informed policy briefs for the Scottish government.

SG support to:2. Build on existing partnerships & strengths to deepen the

research base in the global south, both in terms of new knowledge & of sustainable research capacity.

3. Help establish a clear career structure for researchers/ scientists in the global south to reduce the brain drain, to

Europe & North America, but also critically to S. Africa.4. Support a small number of partner countries with sustainable

long-term programmes for greater impact & not spread support too thinly.

Thank you for your attention