This page provides links to articles, reports etc. published by the Crichton Institute academic partners or in association with the academic partners. This page also provides access to briefing notes, research documents etc. published through the Crichton Institute itself.
A number of publications are now available and can be downloaded as pdf copies from this page. Please see the list to the right for the currently available publications.
Poverty And Deprivation In Dumfries And Galloway – This study was commissioned and funded by Dumfries and Galloway Council to provide evidence and analysis of the nature and patterns of poverty and deprivation across the region. It complements the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Economic Strategy Baseline Study and Regional Economic Profile published in 2014 and the four Area Profiles published earlier in the year (2015), and has been used to inform the development of the region’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy. It is consistent with best practice in policy development by providing quantitative data, drawn from national and local sources and qualitative information, and qualitative data drawn from Discussion Groups with people experiencing poverty across the region. The findings will be used to inform Elected Members, officers and partners throughout the implementation of the Anti-Strategy over the coming five years and also in its final evaluation.
Annandale & Eskdale Area Profile, Nithsdale Area Profile, Stewartry Area Profile and WIgtownshire Area Profile – the four area profiles were launched in the spring of 2015 and are now available to download. This Community Profile complements and develops information laid out in the Single Outcome Agreement with regard to geography, people and issues. By identifying useful data sources, providing ready access to local information and relating these to regional priorities, this Community Profile will assist partners and communities to meet local needs and influence future policies and arrangements for delivering services.
Dumfries and Galloway has Area Committees of the Council and Local Rural Partnerships in place where public, third and private sectors and community representatives work together in the specific localities to tackle local issues. The Area Profiles will also assist these forums in their work and give a greater focus to their conversations and recommendations for the future. The development of these profiles has been funded by the Community Partnership.
Dumfries & Galloway Regional Economic Strategy 2014 – 2020 (RES) – Baseline study and regional economic profile for Dumfries & Galloway
Policy Briefing 01 Policies and Institutions – Describes some of the key features of the South of Scotland and then reviews the recent and current policy and institutional structure in the region, including the setting up of the South of Scotland Alliance. Some of the key issues that will affect the future of the region are then discussed, including the changing focus and resources of key organisations, debates about the region’s ‘borders’, the need for innovation and creative thinking, and developments outside the region, including the announcement about Scotland’s first Rural Parliament to be held in November 2014.
Policy Briefing 02 Windfarm – A new briefing by Crichton Institute warns that with Dumfries and Galloway predicted to soon be responsible for 18% of Scotland’s onshore wind energy capacity local communities must be supported in order to fully reap the benefits of this growth. The briefing also reports that Dumfries and Galloway presently contributes approximately 8% of Scotland’s wind power but the large number of projects planned and under construction could see that increase to 18% of total onshore wind generation capacity.
Policy Briefing 03 – Young People -Crichton Institute had been host to around 50 local young people, teachers, representatives of public, private and third sector organisations, and researchers on 17.09.2014. During that event the delegates took part in a panel discussion on young peoples’ vision for the future of Dumfries and Galloway. Subsequently the findings were presented to the Cross Party Group on Rural Policy within Scottish Parliament on 7.10.2014 (for details please see our news section)
Policy Briefing 04 – Employability – On Wednesday 19th November, the Crichton Institute hosted its second panel discussion, this time on the subject of ‘Employment, Employability and Skills in Dumfries and Galloway’ at the ‘A the Airts’ centre in Sanquhar, Upper Nithsdale.
The discussion between panel members and participants covered a wide variety of topics, addressing both the challenges and opportunities around this theme. It concluded with a set of clear messages that participants wished to feed to national level policy-makers and politicians at the Scottish Parliament on 3 December 2014. This briefing provides a summary of the key issues discussed at the event.
Policy Briefing 05 – Forestry – The aim of this briefing is to provide information on the role of forests and woodlands in the development of the South of Scotland. It begins by providing information on the national forestry context and relevant policies, and follows with a short description of the importance of woodlands and forests in the South of Scotland. The briefing then highlights opportunities and challenges regarding forest and woodland developments in the region.
Policy Briefing 06 – Rural Economy: Diversify or Die? – On 3rd February 2015, CI hosted its third panel discussion, this time on the subject of ‘Rural Economies: Diversify or Die?’
The session discussed key challenge facing Dumfries and Galloway in terms of diversifying its economy, and the key opportunity and how it might be maximised. The subsequent lively discussion between panel members and participants covered a wide variety of topics within this theme. This briefing provides a summary of the main issues discussed at the event and the key messages that emerged for policy-makers.
Policy Briefing 07 – What should Dumfries & Galloway look like in 2035? – In May 2015, we hosted a panel discussion at the Douglas Arms Hotel, Castle Douglas. We had around 30 audience members, including representatives of the public, private and third sectors, young people and researchers plus panel members.
The session began with panel members offering their thoughts on the most significant land use challenges and opportunities facing Dumfries and Galloway (D&G). Discussion between panel members and participants covered a wide variety of topics, and concluded with an agreed set of key messages that participants wished to feed to regional and national policy-makers and politicians. This briefing provides a summary of the key messages from the event.
Policy Briefing 08 Social Enterprise – Social enterprises are businesses that trade and use their profits to bring social, economic and environmental benefits. In the South of Scotland, the organisations are important in developing employment opportunities, providing localised services and supporting disadvantaged groups of people as well as wider communities. However, the role of social enterprises in supporting regional social, economic and environmental development in the region could grow further if existing opportunities are utilised and challenges appropriately addressed. This paper examines the challenges and opportunities that exist for social enterprises in the local economy of the South of Scotland
Policy Briefing 09 Young Rural Decision Makers – On Tuesday 29th September 2015, the Crichton Institute hosted a panel discussion on ‘Young Rural Decision Makers in the South of Scotland’ at the Crichton Campus in Dumfries. There were six panel members and a chair, and some 20 audience members, including young people, teachers, representatives of public, private and third sector organisations, and researchers.
The session began with panel members explaining how they are involved in decision-making processes and offering their views on the key local issues with regard to young rural people and decision-making. Discussion between panel members and participants covered a wide variety of topics, addressing both challenges and opportunities for young people, and concluded with a set of key messages that participants wished to feed to national level policy-makers and politicians. This briefing provides a summary of the key issues from the event.
Queensberry Initiative – The Queensberry Initiative (QI) commissioned CI to undertake an evaluation of the work done so far. The report shows that QI is ahead of its time. It is both at the forefront of ‘outdoor learning’ and an excellent example of ‘education for sustainable development’. For full details please refer to the pdf document to the right.
(The SRUC also publishes its own policy papers which may be accessed through Rural Policy Centre Publications.