Professor Jason Leitch in conversation with 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.

Understanding Scotland: public perceptions of the economy

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.

What is the future of Scotland's 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.

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

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.

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

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.

Is increasing polarisation an inevitable social trend?

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.

How much do you know about Scotland's top charity leaders and why does it matter?

The Scottish charity sector is as big as the NHS in Scotland but how much do you know about it? 

Experienced CEOs and Trustees Manish Joshi and Theresa Shearer join David Hume Institute director, Susan Murray to be the first to hear about our new research on top charity leaders in Scotland.

The sector is a large employer with a combined annual income of over £13billion and significant influence on government and society. Being a registered charity brings benefits including high levels of public trust and legal responsibilities such as delivering public benefit. 

What does the data tell us about diversity of thought in the top 300 charities in Scotland?  What are the implications?  Should transparency and public benefit go hand in hand?  

What can political philosophy tell us about how to rebuild society after the pandemic?

The pandemic has changed so many lives, both temporarily and permanently. The David Hume Institute is joined in conversation with Dr Aveek Bhattacharya Chief Economist with the Social Market Foundation, Professor Rowan Crufts from University of Stirling and Dr Diana Popescu from University of Edinburgh, who have been considering what are the ethics of our response to a significantly changed and increasingly unequal society?

What is the relationship between crisis and opportunity? And, how do we seize the moment in order for good to come from all the heartache?  Put simply, where do we go from here?

Are Scottish business leaders missing a trick?

Are Scotland’s business and investment leaders missing magic that could help improve productivity and innovation? Do Scottish Businesses risk group-think due to lack of diversity of thought?

DHI were joined at this online event hosted in partnership with the Institute of Directors Scotland (IOD) and Black Professionals Scotland.

If you lead an organisation in an executive or non-executive role, are an investor or are aspiring to join the boardroom ranks, please join the conversation to consider what the research means for you and your organisations.

DHI Director, Susan Murray, Enoch Adeyemi, founder and CEO of Black Professionals Scotland and IOD Scotland Chair, Aidan O’Carroll discussed the research findings and the opportunities ahead. The free online event was chaired by IOD Scotland Director, Louise Macdonald.

How should Scotland deliver place prosperity?

Professor Duncan Maclennan returns to the David Hume Institute in conversation with Daniel Herring from Legatum Institute to discuss how data from the UK Prosperity Index might help shine a light on similarities and differences within and between Scotland and the rest of the UK - and what we can learn for creating A Scotland of Better Places.