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

Our vision for 2026-31

Our ambition is simple: social research should sit at the heart of government decision making. Over the next five years, we want research in Scottish Government to be timely, high quality, people centred and visibly useful. We want it to help decision makers see clearly, act confidently and learn continuously.

We will do this by:

• producing evidence that helps Scotland respond to its biggest challenges;
• strengthening evaluation so we understand what works and what offers value for money;
• using digital tools and Artificial Intelligence safely and responsibly;
• drawing on a rich mix of qualitative and quantitative methods; and
• maintaining high professional and ethical standards in everything we do.

This is not a strategy for research as an end unto itself. It is a strategy for better decisions, better services and better outcomes. It is about making sure evidence is practical, understandable and connected to the everyday realities of people’s lives. It is also about ensuring the profession is equipped for the future: inclusive, outward looking, innovative and ready to work across disciplines and sectors.

A strong vision also needs a strong public purpose. Research must help government explain choices more clearly, learn from success and failure, and be open about uncertainty where that is the honest answer. Public confidence grows when evidence is handled transparently, professionally and in ways people can understand. That is why this plan places equal emphasis on quality, accessibility and trust.

By 2031, we want Scottish Government social research to be recognised as influential, inclusive, skilled, digitally confident, ethically grounded and focused on delivery. We want colleagues across government to see researchers as essential partners in solving problems; external partners to see the profession as a constructive and credible collaborator; and the public to see evidence as part of how government listens, learns and improves.