All publications

Is trust an undervalued ingredient for a thriving economy?

Published May 2023

Read this discussion paper from Charlie Woods thinking about the role of trust in our economy and labour market. Read the paper.

Scotland’s land information system - what is it and why does it matter?

Published March 2023

Read this report from Andy Wightman published in partnership with Built Environment Forum Scotland. Read the research.

Understanding Scotland: Economy - February 2023

Published February 2023

Our latest research insights into economic attitudes and behaviours has revealed a complex picture about Scotland’s economic outlook. Read the research.

Consultation response: Scottish Parliament Charities Bill

Published February 2023

DHI responded to the Scottish Parliament call for views on the Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill. Why is the update urgently needed? Read our response.

From imagination to action: does Scotland need a digital wallet for skills?

Published January 2023

What is a digital wallet for skills? How could a digital wallet for skills help the economy and labour market in Scotland? Read the discussion paper.

Understanding Scotland: Economy - November 2022

Published November 2022

Our latest research insights into economic attitudes and behaviours has revealed widespread pessimism about Scotland’s economic outlook. Read the research.

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

Published September 2022

How many people have the knowledge and time to manage the financial risks they face in life? To what extent does it matter? Find out what people told us. Read the research.

Understanding Scotland: Economy - August 2022

Published August 2022

New research into economic attitudes and behaviours has revealed widespread anxiety and pessimism about Scotland’s economic outlook. Read the research.

Understanding Scotland: Economy - May 2022

Published May 2022

Our research finds widespread anxiety about Scotland’s economic outlook. The Understanding Scotland economy survey is produced in partnership between the David Hume Institute and the Diffley Partnership to track economic attitudes and behaviours over time. Read the research.

Community Insights

Published March 2022

In partnership with the William Grant Foundation DHI used open data to gain new insights into Scotland’s communities. Case studies of Buckhaven, Campbeltown and Stranraer highlight some of the risks involved. Read the project summary.

Briefing: What is open data and why does it matter?

Published March 2022

An open data culture leads to improved government, economic growth, insight, and a more participatory democracy. But Scotland is moving at a glacial pace and the gap with other countries is widening. Read the briefing.

Team Scotland: What do Scotland’s top charity leaders bring?

Published February 2022

The David Hume Institute measures the diversity of Scotland’s top leaders. For the first time in our analysis this includes the leaders of the top 300 charities by income who are major influencers impacting on all parts of our society. Read the research.

Briefing: Levelling up broadband connectivity

Published October 2021

Levelling up access to high speed broadband in Scotland is vital for rural communities currently left behind. Our new briefing paper looks at the roll-out so far and potential for faster progress on this vital infrastructure. Read the briefing.

Team Scotland: What do business and investment leaders bring?

Published September 2021

Faster growth in diversity at the top level is needed if Scotland is going to benefit from a wider spectrum of thought leadership to maximise the country’s ability to overcome challenges such as increasing productivity, innovation and improving risk management. Read the research.

Enabling change: Multi-year budgeting in Scotland

Published August 2021

A new agreement on multi-year budgeting between the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament will help long-term thinking and support a more open conversation about spending plans and investment choices.

This enabling change is part of the Institute’s Action project investigating the actions needed to move faster towards a more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair country. Read the briefing.

A Scotland of Better Places

Published June 2021

A new report by Professor Duncan Maclennan, commissioned by the David Hume Institute, examines how the country can build forward to A Scotland of Better Places.

The report is part of the Institute’s Action Project investigating the actions needed for Scotland to move faster towards a country that is more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair. Read the report.

Team Scotland: What do the Scottish Parliament's new players bring?

Published May 2021

DHI measures the diversity of Scotland's top decision makers, including the Scottish Parliament. Diversity of thought improves an organisation’s performance by maximising resilience and innovation. As the representative of people in Scotland and high-profile public servants, MSPs have a key role to play in helping the public see that leaders can come from a wide range of backgrounds. Read the briefing.

The Action Project

First findings launched March 2021

The Action Project brings people from across Scotland together to consider what we need to do to move faster towards a country that is more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair.

Through a series of facilitated conversations, together, we identify actions for individuals, organisations and government.

Find out more about the conversations or the background of the project.

What’s your action? Take part in the research

What’s Your Action?

Published March 2021

The David Hume Institute launched WhatsYourAction.scot after listening to over 4,500 people across Scotland in the largest inter-generational polling and research exercise in the last 5 years.

The research, which included nationwide polling and group conversations, showed people in Scotland are taking action to be kinder, care for the environment and being more conscious about how and where they spend their money, among a host of other actions.

Read more about the research.