SFC news published since 2018. See SFC archived content for earlier news articles.
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) is delighted to be investing in a new three-year programme, Economic Futures, led by the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde Business School. This Scotland-wide initiative will create more opportunities for students interested in a career as an applied economist. Any student studying for an economics or economy-related degree is eligible.
The funding will support work placements for undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain experience in an applied economics capacity in academic, public policy or business.
Training events with leading applied economists will be run throughout the year focussing upon the toolkit of an applied economist including policy evaluation, economic modelling and data analysis.
The first round of work placements – to fill opportunities at the University of Stirling, the Fraser of Allander Institute, the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Scottish Funding Council – attracted over 70 outstanding applications for the eight posts on offer.
Professor Graeme Roy, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute and one of the project leads on Economic Futures, said,
“Across Scotland, there is a growing demand for skilled economists to work in an applied public policy and business environment.
“Economics is the study of almost everything we care about in society. Take a look around the world today and you’ll see major challenges which have economics at their core, whether that be rising income inequalities, globalisation or climate change.
“This exciting new Scottish Funding Council initiative will help support the next generation of economists with the knowledge, transferable skills and experience to help shape Scotland’s future.”
Economic Futures is a strategic investment by the Scottish Funding Council to support the development of applied economics capacity in Scotland. It is run by the Fraser of Allander Institute and the Project Leads are Graeme Roy and Mairi Spowage.
2019 Work Placements (Phase 1)
Scottish Fiscal Commission
Gary Mullins, University of St Andrews
Project: House Prices
Michaela Vahovska, University of Glasgow
Project: Income Tax
Fraser of Allander Institute
Sophie Eales White, University of Edinburgh
Project: Subjective Wellbeing
Julia Robbie, University of Strathclyde
Project: Impact of the Scottish Professional Football League clubs on the Scottish economy
Scottish Funding Council
Callum McGrath, University of Edinburgh
Project: Investment in Post-School Education
Christopher Arrowsmith, Heriot-Watt University
Project: Funding for Access and Retention
University of Stirling
Mairi McHale, University of St Andrews
Project: O*NET Project
Ewan Thomson, University of Dundee
Project: HAGIS Project
