Briefing papers: Community Insights

Throughout 2019-20, the David Hume Institute’s Action Project brought people across Scotland together to discuss what was needed to progress towards a more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair country. We spoke to people from all walks of life, including many from smaller communities in Scotland which retain a strong sense of identity but feel they are not heard or understood by government and policy-makers.

Building on the Action Project and a Scotland of Better Places, in autumn 2021, we embarked on a new project in partnership with the William Grant Foundation. The aim was to gain new insights from correlating open data about Scotland’s communities.

The research aimed to draw on a range of open datasets. However, it quickly became clear there was less open data available than expected. Consequently some information was collated manually from other sources, and we were not able to include information if it was not available Scotland-wide.  Read more about the research process on the project blog.

The key findings from the analysing the data:

• Positive relationships between the number of businesses per capita and the number of charities per capita in intermediate zones

• Positive relationships between the number of charities and community spaces per capita in intermediate zones

• Fewer charities in communities defined as more deprived by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)

• Fewer businesses in communities defined as most deprived and least deprived by the SIMD

• More community spaces in communities defined as more deprived by the SIMD

By bringing together data from this project and the Action Project, we were able to illustrate how using qualitative and quantitative data alongside each other can produce a more detailed insight to an area. Using local knowledge allowed us to question some of the assumptions which underpin other correlated datasets such as the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) and the use of data more generally. 

A key conclusion was that only using quantitative data analysis could lead to misunderstanding and reinforce assumptions about places, and the people who live in them.

The three Community Insights briefings below demonstrate the potential benefits of combining different types of data to achieve a fuller picture of an area for decision making.

Using open data sources to investigate Scotland’s communities highlighted the slow progress being made towards an open data culture in Scotland, despite the proven benefits of doing so and the cost of not doing so.

We produced a briefing in partnership with Open Data Scotland to increase understanding of this critical area. DHI will continue our work in this field, aiming to inform and accelerate publication of open data in Scotland. 

Briefing paper: Levelling up high speed broadband

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.

Internet connectivity has become essential for modern life and business is virtually impossible without it. It is critical for productivity and regional equality, and supports education as well as access to public services. 

Areas of rural Scotland yet to access high speed broadband are at risk of increasing outward migration accentuating the already ageing population.

The UK Government has stated its intention to deliver infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK. The two recent financial commitments from the UK Gigabit scheme partnering with the Scottish Government R100 scheme to extend the reach are welcome.

This paper looks at the physical provision of infrastructure not issues related to access as a result of poverty.

The Scottish and UK Governments must complete faster rollout to all rural communities as part of the levelling up agenda and to support economic recovery from Covid-19. 

Report: A Scotland of Better Places

A new report by Professor Duncan Maclennan, commissioned by the David Hume Institute, examines how the country can move 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 being a country that is more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair.

A Scotland of Better Places examines actions needed for places to deliver faster social, environmental and economic benefits. 

Covid shone a light on the places in which we live, work, study, play and grow.  The events of the last year have dramatically changed many people’s relationships with the places in their lives.  

Our places will play a central role in Scotland’s recovery. They are inter-connected, inter-dependent and impact on every aspect of our lives.

The report is based on conversations with over 600 people in webinars. The conversations revealed a broad range of ideas that individuals, communities and organisations are ready to share and enact with governments.

There is not a single magic action to make all of Scotland’s Places thrive. Over the years there have been many policies, strategies and initiatives, often top down and not involving local people.

This is an opportunity to build forward better from Covid-19 and recognise the connections within and between places.  There are major long-term changes required, and much agreement about what needs to change and how to change it. Bold policy choices could remake the sub-national governance and government of Scotland to match modern place challenges.

Professor Maclennan suggests “Using reformed financial and tax structures, listening to communities and individuals, (and especially younger and poorer Scots) in the democratic processes that will make Scotland a more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair country.”

The report is part of the David Hume Institute’s Action Project which engaged more than 4,500 people from across Scotland, bringing together a broad range of perspectives on how Scotland can build forward better from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

What's Your Action?

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.

“What’s your action?” sets out what we heard from people across Scotland. It is our simple invitation to others to engage with the conversation as well as sharing the practical actions people are taking to build a more prosperous, sustainable, inclusive and fair country.

Across Scotland, we started conversations; with people in different places, from different backgrounds and with different experiences and levels of engagement with policymaking. We asked questions, and listened. We wanted to hear different perspectives about what we can all do and hear people’s priorities for action. 

We found so much enthusiasm and energy for tackling Scotland’s persistent problems. The response was loud and clear: we can all do something; every journey starts with a single step -  the time for action is now. It’s not too late to be involved, you can submit your priorities at WhatsYourAction.scot