Scottish Policy & Research Exchange (SPRE)
Officials and Scholars Working Together
The Scottish Policy and Research Exchange supports researchers and officials as they seek smart solutions to policy challenges. It is a network of professionals working together to deliver evidence-informed policy in practice.
Who We Are
The Scottish Policy and Research Exchange (SPRE) is a network of researchers and officials based within Scottish universities, research centres and policymaking institutions.
We represent many disciplines, professional backgrounds and methodological approaches, we work to different timescales and face different demands but we are united around the belief that rigorous and impartial research has a vital role in the policy process.
What We Do
SPRE helps researchers and policymakers to collaborate more effectively. We aim to expand the evidence base and range of expert voices available to the policy community and to help scholars – especially but not exclusively within the social sciences – to maximise the impact of their research. Our activities fall into three broad categories:
- Training and mentoring opportunities delivered in conjunction with partners
- Digital platforms providing tools for researchers and policy professionals
- Bespoke tools addressing particular policy challenges
Why We Do It
We believe that research-informed policy is better policy. We are committed to the idea that the effective use of research and evidence can improve both how policy is made and the outcomes it produces.
We believe in the benefits of increasing the diversity of the voices contributing to the evidence base for policy. We understand the need for researchers to demonstrate the impact of their research and are committed to recognising the role they play.