Scotland’s Future

University of St Andrews

A new project launched earlier this year to stimulate discussion and debate around Scotland’s future has gone live. The Scotland’s Future podcast series will cover topics from the war in Ukraine to climate change and decolonisation. St Andrews has a long tradition as a crucible for debate and for the formation of ideas. The Scotland’s Future podcast series draws on that tradition at an incredibly important time in global history. The University of St Andrews exists to open up debate, to encourage discourse, and to do so in a way that is accessible, respectful and also forward-thinking.

  1. 17/01/2024

    Series 4, Episode 2 - Diversity and difference key to shaping student support

    In this Scotland’s Future Series podcast three of St Andrews’ student leaders talk about how their different backgrounds, experiences and views have helped shape and strengthen how they ensure effective student representation. Students’ Association President Barry Will, Director of Education Cam Brown, and Director of Wellbeing and Equality Caitlin Ridgway talk to Professor Stephen Gethins about the importance of working together to make sure student voices are heard and that every student no matter their background or beliefs feels supported and listened to. Coming into post on the back of the Covid pandemic has posed particular challenges for the current ‘Sabbs’ and in this recording, they discuss how they have come together as a group of six not only to lead the students’ representative body but also to make a real and lasting difference to the student experience in St Andrews. Barry, who focussed on student poverty in his presidential campaign, grew up in Dundee where he saw first-hand the “raw side of inequality” and, as the first member of his family to attend university, could not rely on any academic support at home. Cam, on the other hand, travelled the world with his family and had attended another university before joining St Andrews. Caitlin said her background growing up in one place and then moving to another, has helped her in her role championing health, diversity and inclusion. All three agree that no matter what your background or financial status, “every single person in this community should feel supported”. Amongst the subjects discussed is the review of the Academic Calendar which Cam has been heavily involved in, plus the challenges of supporting all St Andrews students affected by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Barry said supporting students is at the heart of everything they do and this is why it is so important that the group work together using their different experiences and sharing their views to ensure they can provide the right kind of support to those affected. While they may each hold different views, it is this ability to work through their disagreements to ensure everyone in the St Andrews student community is supported and listened to.

    29 min

  2. 09/11/2023

    Series 4, Episode 1 – Supporting care experienced and estranged students at St Andrews

    In this podcast, the first in a series of conversations about the importance of widening access and understanding more about the barriers some people face in accessing education, including Higher Education, Scotland’s Future Series looks at some of the challenges faced by students from a care-experienced background. During the conversation we hear more about the important role university can play not only in providing an education and qualifications but also in providing, for some, vital stability and support. The guests also share some startling statistics on the life chances of young people who have been through the care system and the impact this has on their self-confidence and how they view themselves in society.

    29 min
  3. Series 3 Episode 5 – How CltEE put students at the centre entrepreneurial education

    24/08/2023

    Series 3 Episode 5 – How CltEE put students at the centre entrepreneurial education

    Members of the team behind Creating impact through Enterprise Education (CItEE) share their enthusiasm for this interdisciplinary project with podcast host Professor Stephen Gethins.

    23 min
  4. Series 3 Episode 4 – Cost of living support for students and staff and the bus travel deal

    24/08/2023

    Series 3 Episode 4 – Cost of living support for students and staff and the bus travel deal

    Delivering innovative solutions to supporting students and staff through the cost-of-living and energy crisis has been at the heart of University activity since summer 2022.

    17 min
  5. Series 3 Episode 3 – St Andrews shares expertise in Ukraine

    24/08/2023

    Series 3 Episode 3 – St Andrews shares expertise in Ukraine

    Professor Phillips O’Brien, Head of the School of International Relations, and Professor Stephen Gethins, AVP (International), talk to the University’s Deputy Legal Officer Mike Gettinby about their visit to Ukraine.

    19 min
  6. Series 3 Episode 2 – Scottish Government Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill

    23/08/2023

    Series 3 Episode 2 – Scottish Government Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill

    Controversial plans to launch a pilot scheme for judge-only trials in rape and sexual assault cases is the focus of this Scotland’s Future Series discussion, the second podcast on the proposed new legislation.

    24 min
  7. Series 3 Episode 1 - Former St Andrews student at forefront of campaign to scrap Scotland’s controversial Not Proven verdict

    26/04/2023

    Series 3 Episode 1 - Former St Andrews student at forefront of campaign to scrap Scotland’s controversial Not Proven verdict

    ‘Miss M’ tells Scotland’s Future Series why rape survivors view ‘third’ verdict as worse than a ‘Not Guilty’ result Over the course of the last year, the University’s Scotland’s Future podcast series has featured discussions on a range of issues from the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and the impact of Islamic Republic rule on the rights and freedoms of the Iranian people, to the difficulties being faced by staff, students and the wider St Andrews community as a result of the cost-of-living and energy crisis. Projects funded by the Scotland’s Future Series panel are also tackling a range of issues pertinent to Scotland’s role in the world and, by getting involved, academics, professional staff and students are being given the chance to shape developments and influence decision making. The series was designed with the specific aim of encouraging and facilitating a wide range of debate and discussion even when some of the subjects may prove difficult or controversial. There are few topics more controversial than Scotland’s Not Proven verdict – or as the podcast reminds us, “that bastard verdict” – in the view of Sir Walter Scott. Former St Andrews student ‘Miss M’ has been at the forefront of leading the campaign, calling on the Scottish Government to end the use of the ‘third verdict’ in Scots law, an option she and many others with experience of the Scottish Courts system, including those in the judiciary, believe is resulting in guilty men walking free. In this exclusive interview for Scotland’s Future Series, Miss M and Sandy Brindley, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, talk to Mike Gettinby, the University’s Deputy Legal Officer, about the work that has gone into the campaign, and the wider impact scrapping the verdict would have on rape survivors and their ability to achieve closure.

    37 min
  8. Series 2 Episode 7 – The importance of a sense of place and the role of art, landscape and light in Scotland

    16/12/2022

    Series 2 Episode 7 – The importance of a sense of place and the role of art, landscape and light in Scotland

    This recording brings together two Scotland’s Future Projects which explore the importance of a sense of place. International Relations lecturer Roxani Krystalli talks about her project, ‘Growing Roots: Teaching and Making with a Sense of Place’, and second year Art History PhD students Anne-sophie Daffertshofer and Tori Champion share their project, ‘Looking North Through Art: Alternative Approaches to Landscape and Energy Ethics in Scotland’. During the discussion, Roxani talks about the research she has already done into the importance of place and how she has tried to move from talking about other places in international Relations to talking about Scotland, its places and landscape, and the impact this has on thinking, creativity and the relationships we have. Coming from Greece and educated in the US, Roxani talks about the welcome she has had in Scotland and looks at how this ‘claim’ to Scotland impacts people and their perspective on things. The natural environment is also playing a significant role in the ‘Looking North’ project which Anne-sophie and Tori are working on thanks to funding from Scotland’s Future Series and the University’s Centre for Energy Ethics, amongst others. They have also worked to engage with artists and looked how they are impacted by their environment, capturing this in an online talk series. They are now moving on to pair these artists with scholars and writers with similar ideas so they can work together. Tori explained that creating a conversation and engaging with wider audiences on the importance of a sense of place and the role it has in shaping people and their work, as well as building connections, is key to their project and, they hope, looking at what elements are crucial to creating sustainable societies and healthy democracies, and go on to use this in other countries beyond Scotland.

    18 min
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About

A new project launched earlier this year to stimulate discussion and debate around Scotland’s future has gone live. The Scotland’s Future podcast series will cover topics from the war in Ukraine to climate change and decolonisation. St Andrews has a long tradition as a crucible for debate and for the formation of ideas. The Scotland’s Future podcast series draws on that tradition at an incredibly important time in global history. The University of St Andrews exists to open up debate, to encourage discourse, and to do so in a way that is accessible, respectful and also forward-thinking.

Information

  • Creator
    University of St Andrews
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © University of St Andrews
  • Show Website
    Scotland’s Future