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5. SCOTLAND'S SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE, OPPORTUNITIES AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE/UPTAKE
Scientific knowledge production and exchange is central to Scotland's future economic prospects and the challenge is how to use the global reach of the science base in Scotland to face global challenges which affect Scotland. The following section gives an overview of the information provided by face to face interviews and website participants on areas of perceived scientific expertise in Scotland, some gaps and opportunities, and issues relating to knowledge exchange and uptake - all of which were raised during the review process.
5.1 Scientific expertise and strengths
It was perceived that Scotland has world class status in certain areas of core science & research (see Box 2) and there is the opportunity to build on this and encourage Scotland to attract inward investment.
Box 2: Perceived areas of scientific expertise in Scotland
New technology | Biotechnology Renewable energy sector - wind, tidal, wave |
Molecular, genomic and informatics skills base |
Food production | Applied translational science in agriculture: crop genetics, physiology, biochemistry |
Animal health and welfare e.g. host immunity in livestock |
Farm animal genetic resources |
Plant biodiversity |
Environment | Catchment-based studies |
Environmental pollution |
Health | Stem cells, neurosciences |
Mental health |
Occupational and environmental medicine |
Diet and health |
Miscellaneous | Computing, mathematics |
Fishing gear technology |
It was also recognised that Scotland has a strong university sector which covers most aspects but is not necessarily linked with business or policy makers. Scotland also has high calibre research institutes albeit with a relatively small number of staff; this raised questions about their ability to build capacity to respond to significant policy changes in the future.
5.2 Gaps and opportunities for development
It was also perceived that there are some gaps in Scotland's science base as summarised in Box 3. Research could usefully explore and exploit new opportunities arising from the changing global scene - at present many research topics tend to be 'problem' rather than 'opportunity' oriented.
Box 3 Perceived expertise gaps/ needs in Scotland
Landscape Rural | Environmental design/landscape architects Rural development expertise |
Marine | Marine environment particular relating to fisheries, marine spatial planning, marine wind power and tidal power generation |
Environment and health | Environment and health - perhaps opportunity for a virtual centre |
Economic modelling & assessment | Scenario development and economic modelling - multidisciplinary approach including ethical considerations and sustainability of the rural economy |
Economic assessment of environmental cost benefit analysis. |
Environmental change | Integrated approach to environmental change at a big picture level |
Community level practical expertise |
Social science | Currently there is limited investment in social sciences and a cultural gap with natural /physical scientists |
Other | GM expertise |
Physics |
Veterinary scientists |
Expertise in plant/lower organism taxonomy. |
Mechanisms for ensuring effective uptake of research findings was also identified as a need in Scotland. Issues such as public awareness of science, commercialisation of research outputs and availability of community practitioners were all identified as gaps in the knowledge exchange systems. A further significant gap is that a range of policy makers/ government actors are not aware of where scientific expertise resides in Scotland, and the extent of the expertise available.
5.3 Knowledge production and sharing / practical outputs
Although it was not an objective of this review to address mechanisms of research delivery the matter of knowledge exchange featured frequently during the review and is included here as a point of observation.
Inevitably there is always scope to improve knowledge exchange, and to ensure robust mechanisms are in place to facilitate uptake. In particular there is the opportunity to consider how to build on existing research outcomes, and to influence large-scale behavioural change. This may involve working with a wider set of collaborative partners and the consideration of social enterprises and networks. The concept of the resourcing of flexible centres of excellence was raised, with such centres responsible for considering how research informs practice and thinking, and with the capacity to address future uncertainty and risk.
5.4 Knowledge / sector integration and interdisciplinarity
Opportunity exists to encourage an inter-disciplinary culture and a common language between policy and science spheres. The balance across basic, strategic and applied science can be reviewed so that linkages between discovery and application are realised. In particular social sciences can play a greater role in supporting the growth of the rural economy.
Suggested mechanisms to improve integration include the promotion and reward of interdisciplinary working, development of academic partnerships with the business sector, business sabbaticals for academics, and overall better linkages between end users, science, and policy.
Increased engagement with stakeholders could be achieved by taking a multidisciplinary approach using horizon-scanning techniques and scenarios which could involve a range of participants.
5.5 Academic / research support
A strong message was the need to support and develop research institutes as a national resource to continue to deliver high quality innovative research that sustains and improves the environmental, marine and rural sectors. There is a need to train more expert scientists with a greater diversity of skills. Linked to this is the need for public support for research and positive communication with the media, particularly for genetic-based solutions to rural production. In addition there is a need to create career opportunities to attract and retain top researchers and investment in core and strategic science, without which the applied research cannot function and there will be little or no opportunity for technology transfer and exploitation. Conversely, the view was expressed we should not mind where scientific research is conducted in an open market. Whilst it was noted that there are economic benefits to having centres of excellence in Scotland, ownership of scientific concepts, and exploitation is more likely to happen in the US or China/ India. Emphasis could usefully be placed on scientific benefits that are commercially applied.
It was also noted that university research departments and businesses are generally keen to work closely but are divided by language, timescales, and details. One of the challenges is to breach these gaps. Organisations such as Interface were mentioned in relation to this opportunity.
5.6 Skill development
Skills shortage is a perceived threat to Scotland and there is a need to identify the skills needed in 30 years time. In particular the skills to create leadership (including political and policy) for sustainable development should be promoted
5.7 Incorporating public / community knowledge
There is considerable opportunity for researchers and policy-makers to draw on the knowledge in local communities, particularly in relation to their experience of rural development activities, the importance of social capital, and the effects of land reform legislation.
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