David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy

Catch up with the November 2022 findings of our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland: Economy, which tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.

Past Event: 22nd November 2022

On Tuesday 22nd November 2022, we launched the latest findings in our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland Economy. Our regular survey with the Diffley Partnership tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.

Mark Diffley discussed the new data with Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, and Shan Saba, Director of Brightwork.

Mark Diffley is a researcher and pollster with over 20 years experience. After 10 years as Director of Ipsos MORI in Edinburgh, Mark set up a new business in 2017, delivering research and insight for clients across the public, private and third sectors in Scotland and further afield.

Mairi Spowage is Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. Previously, Mairi was the Deputy Chief Executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Head of National Accounts at the Scottish Government. She has over a decade of experience working in different areas of statistics and analysis.

Shan Saba is Director of Brightwork, an established multi-sector recruitment agency with an outstanding reputation. Shan is also the Founder of Scotland Against Modern Slavery, Board Member at Refugee Survival Trust and Advisory Committee Member of Show Racism The Red Card.

Click to view Mark’s slides.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

The Great Risk Transfer: have we got the balance right?

Catch up with this event about our latest research The Great Risk Transfer: have we got the balance right? published in partnership with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Past event: 3rd October 2022

This David Hume Institute event heard findings from our latest research The Great Risk Transfer: have we got the balance right? published in partnership with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

The research explores what Scotland’s people feel about the shift in the balance of risk from institutions, such as employers and the State, to individuals. From managing pensions to insurance and housing. The discussion provided a chance to reflect on the research and discuss who is benefiting from the new levels of choice in managing the risks in their lives?

Lead researcher, Shelagh Young presented the findings and was joined for reflections by John Taylor, past president of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and Mubin Haq, Chief Executive of the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust.

Click to view Shelagh’s slides separately from the event recording.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

From imagination to action: the future of Scotland's natural economy

The David Hume Institute was joined by Professor Wayne Powell, CEO and Principal of SRUC, and Fran van Dijk, CEO of One Stone Advisors, Chair of Macaulay Development Trust and Deputy Chair of SEPA to explore what needs done to achieve rapid growth in the Scotland’s natural economy.

Past Event: 5th September 2022

Almost a year on from COP26, organisations across Scotland are seeing enormous potential to harness innovation in diverse sectors. From agri-food to forestry and green finance, growing our natural economy and contributing in practical ways to tackling the twin climate change and biodiversity crises.

The David Hume Institute was joined by Professor Wayne Powell, CEO and Principal of SRUC, and Fran van Dijk, CEO of One Stone Advisors, Chair of Macaulay Development Trust and Deputy Chair of SEPA to explore what needs done to achieve rapid growth in the Scotland’s natural economy.

Wayne and Fran discussed the potential of applied R&D in areas like vertical farming and emissions capture to transform business, the steps Scotland must take and the challenges it will face to transition in the years ahead. 

If you missed this free online event, catch up with the recording above.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy

Catch up with the August 2022 findings of our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland Economy which tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.

Past Event: 30th August 2022

On Tuesday 30th August 2022, we launched the latest findings in our quarterly research series, Understanding Scotland Economy. Our regular survey with The Diffley Partnership tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion.

Mark Diffley discussed the new data with Dr Samuel Mwaura from University of Strathclyde and Aveek Bhattacharya, Chief Economist with the Social Market Foundation. This free in-person event was kindly hosted by Brodies.

Mark Diffley is a researcher and pollster with over 20 years experience. After 10 years as Director of Ipsos MORI in Edinburgh, Mark set up a new business in 2017, delivering research and insight for clients across the public, private and third sectors in Scotland and further afield.

Dr Samuel Mwaura is lecturer of entrepreneurship at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of Strathclyde Business School. Samuel’s recent work has focused on innovation and its impact on productivity, SME financing, the link between entrepreneurship and household wellbeing (including household wealth).

Aveek Bhattacharya is Chief Economist at the Social Market Foundation. Prior to that, he was Senior Policy Analyst at the Institute of Alcohol Studies, researching and advocating for policies to reduce alcohol-related harm and as a strategy consultant, advising clients across a range of sectors including retail, consumer goods, software and services.

View Mark’s slides.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

Professor Jason Leitch in conversation with Jacqui Low

DHI was delighted to welcome Professor Jason Leitch to talk about his experience of leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic in conversation with business leader Jacqui Low.

Past Event: 7th June 2022

This event took place in-person at CodeBase, Edinburgh, and was streamed live online.

The Covid 19 pandemic rapidly shut down entire sectors of our economy, prompted the biggest state intervention in our society since World War Two, and has so far claimed over 12,000 lives in Scotland. To discuss his experience of leadership during the pandemic, and how a complex scientific response was translated into straightforward messaging for both public and government, DHI was delighted to welcome Professor Jason Leitch to our first post-pandemic in-person event. 

Jason was in conversation with business leader and Chairman of Partick Thistle football club, Jacqui Low, to discuss the challenges of decision-making in a fast-moving crisis. He explored the effect of the pandemic on Scotland’s economy and discussed the tensions between prioritising public health and minimising damage to businesses, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

Professor Jason Leitch CBE is the National Clinical Director of the Scottish Government, tasked with providing advice to government and public during the Covid 19 health crisis. From a career in dentistry, he moved into healthcare reform and has since advised governments around the world from Denmark to South Africa. Jason went on to play a leading role in public health communication in Scotland from the start of the pandemic in 2020. 

Business leader and Chairman of Partick Thistle football club, Jacqui Low, chaired the event.
Jacqui is a strategic communicator with almost 40 years’ experience in media, business, politics and government. She was the first female special adviser to the secretary of state in Scotland, was a founder and vice-chairman of national tele-care service NHS 24, and specialises in business continuity during crises.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy

This online event heard insights from Understanding Scotland’s quarterly survey of economic attitudes and expectations.

DHI was joined by researcher and pollster Mark Diffley, Director of the Diffley Partnership, and Rachel Statham, Associate Director at IPPR.

Past event: May 2022

This online event heard insights from Understanding Scotland’s quarterly survey of economic attitudes and expectations.

This new, regular survey tracks economic confidence and buying intentions over time, as well as helping us to understand and monitor economic attitudes and public opinion. Mark Diffley, from the Diffley Partnership shared the latest data and analysis which is vital information for decision-makers across all sectors. Rachel Statham, Associate Director of IPPR, joined Mark in discussion to reflect on the wider context of the findings.

Mark Diffley is a researcher and pollster with over 20 years experience. After 10 years as Director of Ipsos MORI in Edinburgh, Mark set up a new business in 2017, delivering research and insight for clients across the public, private and third sectors in Scotland and further afield.

Rachel Statham is Associate Director at IPPR, where she leads the institute’s research across employment, health and care, education and social security.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

What is the future of Scotland's populations?

New figures show Scotland’s population increasing slightly over the next few years before starting to fall - the first predicted population drop for a number of years.

At this live event Dr Esther Roughsedge, Head of Population and Migration Statistics at National Records of Scotland, and Professor Mike Anderson of the University of Edinburgh discussed the implications of the research for Scotland’s future populations.

Past event: 27th April 2022

National Records of Scotland recently published new figures which show Scotland’s population increasing slightly over the next few years, before starting to fall. These are the first projections for a number of years that show Scotland’s population falling during the next decade. They also project that by 2045 there will be around 200,000 fewer children (a fall of 22%) and around 300,000 more people over 65 (an increase of 30%). These are important figures which have profound implications for Scotland.

DHI were joined by Dr Esther Roughsedge, Head of Population and Migration Statistics at National Records of Scotland, and Professor Michael Anderson of the University of Edinburgh to give an overview of what the figures show and to discuss their implications. They also discussed the nature of the uncertainty around producing projections during these changing times.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

International Insights: What can Scotland learn from intergenerational care across the world?

What if we could combat loneliness and isolation at the same time as combatting some of the consequences of systemic poverty?

Jacqueline Cassidy discusses her Churchill Fellowship research into different approaches to child and elder care in Japan, Singapore and the USA.

Jacqueline was joined in discussion by Karen Hedge, National Director from Scottish Care and Jane Brumpton, Chief Executive from Early Years Scotland.

Past event: 21st March 2022

What if we could combat loneliness and isolation at the same time as combatting some of the consequences of systemic poverty?  What if we could do that with resources we already have? What if we could take a different approach to childcare and the care of older people that could transform communities?

DHI was joined by Jacqueline Cassidy to discuss her Churchill Fellowship research into different approaches to child and elder care in Japan, Singapore and the USA. What can Scotland learn about intergenerational approaches to co-located care and its potential to support improved outcomes for children and older people?

Jacqueline discusses her research with Karen Hedge, National Director from Scottish Care and Jane Brumpton, Chief Executive from Early Years Scotland. Chaired by DHI Engagement Lead Shelagh Young.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

Is too much choice a bad thing? Comparing the experience of parental choice in English and Scottish education

Writer and campaigner Melissa Benn in conversation with Aveek Aveek Bhattacharya about his new research comparing the different approaches to secondary school choice in England and Scotland.

Writer and campaigner Melissa Benn is in conversation with Aveek Aveek Bhattacharya about his new research comparing the different approaches to secondary school choice in England and Scotland.

Successive governments in England have emphasised the importance of school choice and encouraged parents to choose between different schools for their children. Contrastingly in Scotland, the government has limited the amount of choice with most children going to their local school.

Despite the difference, Scottish families are no less satisfied or empowered by their level of school choice - an equal share of parents are happy with the amount of choice they have over the school their child will attend. Another lively policy insights discussion from The David Hume Institute, which provides plenty of food for thought.

Read More
David Hume Institute David Hume Institute

Is increasing polarisation an inevitable social trend?

In many democracies the political chasm between different groups of people seems larger than ever. Are we especially polarised now or have we always been divided?

CEO of the Depolarization Project Ali Goldsworthy discusses her new book, Poles Apart with Professor Rowan Cruft from University of Stirling, whose research team has recently released this report on Shaping Democracy in the Digital Age.

Polarisation is increasingly affecting every part of our lives, from conversations within friendship circles to how we approach health issues. In many democracies the political chasm between different groups of people seems larger than ever.

Is this simply the political pluralism which is a necessary part of a healthy democracy or an excessive polarisation, where the weaponisation of difference is a threat to us all? Are we especially polarised now or have we always been divided?

CEO of the Depolarization Project and advisor to Stanford’s Conflict, Resolution and Depolarisation Lab Ali Goldsworthy discusses her new book, Poles Apar with Professor Rowan Cruft from University of Stirling, whose research team has recently released this report on Shaping Democracy in the Digital Age.

Can you remember the last time you changed your mind on something? Does anybody in your circle of friends have a different political or world view to you? Do any of these things matter? This event will provide lively discussion and brain food on all of these questions and more.

Read More