Scottish Government Social Research Five Year Plan 2026-31 Summary Edition

Who we are

Scottish Government social researchers are expert social scientists who help decisions work better for the people of Scotland. We bring robust evidence, independent judgement and a deep understanding of how policy works in the real world. Our job is not simply to collect information. It is to ask the right questions, understand people’s experiences, test assumptions, and explain what is happening, why it is happening and what could make a difference.

That means looking beneath headline figures to understand behaviour, systems and lived experience. It means listening carefully to communities, especially people whose voices are too often overlooked. It means helping ministers, officials and partners use evidence wisely in a fast-moving and uncertain world. Social researchers do this across the full policy cycle: by reviewing evidence, designing and carrying out research, developing theories of change (i.e. clear plans for how change is expected to happen), evaluating impact, commissioning external work, and translating findings into practical advice.

Our profession has been part of Scottish Government since devolution. Over time, social researchers have moved closer to the policy areas they support, working alongside other analysts, scientists and policy teams. That has strengthened multidisciplinary working and helped evidence influence decisions earlier and more effectively. At end March 2026, around 160 social researchers work across core government, agencies and public bodies. Together, they form a highly skilled community with strong links to academia, the third sector, communities of practice and colleagues across the UK and beyond.

What makes social research distinctive is the combination of rigour and context. We do not just seek evidence that is technically sound; we also consider whether it is inclusive, ethically gathered, and meaningful for the people affected. In a world shaped by political change, rapid technological development, misinformation and financial pressures, that role is more important than ever. Good government needs good evidence. Scotland’s social researchers help make sure that evidence is trustworthy, relevant and useful.

We also provide something that cannot be automated: professional judgement about people, place and policy context. Numbers alone rarely tell the full story. A rise or fall in a headline measure may hide very different experiences for different groups, places or services. Social research brings that texture and explanation into view, helping government understand not only outcomes but mechanisms, trade-offs and unintended consequences.

Our work supports fairness as well as effectiveness. By making sure evidence reflects lived reality, social researchers help government understand where policies make a difference, where they are less effective and where specific communities face barriers that are not immediately visible. That strengthens public services, improves value for money and increases the chance that decisions will lead to lasting change.

We begin this next five-year period from a position of real strength. The profession is respected, connected and ambitious. This strategy builds on that foundation. It sets out how we will deepen our influence, broaden our skills, strengthen trust, and ensure that research continues to improve public policy and outcomes across Scotland.