Progress towards UN SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Our research
UK TV and film directors are facing financial instability due to irregular employment and a reduction in opportunities to work and earn, according to research by the University of Glasgow.
The independent survey of UK TV and film directors - conducted by CREATe, the Centre for Regulation of the Creative Economy based at the University of Glasgow - and commissioned by Directors UK - found that 78% of directors feel that their income is unstable.
Directors experience a number of poor working practices, that are accepted as the ‘norm’. These factors exacerbate systemic inequalities in the industry and have dire consequences for inclusivity and diversity.
The report finds that an improvement in the working conditions of directors offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen the sector’s resilience, allowing for long-term growth and competitiveness.
This research is the latest in a series of surveys conducted by CREATe, which shows a concerning decline in working conditions and income in the creative industry.
Researchers at the University have developed evidence-based recommendations to improve financial security and working conditions for freelancers in the UK’s film and television industries. The Make Freelancing Pay study, led by Professor Doris Ruth Eikhof in partnership with the Fraser of Allander Institute, examined how innovative tax and social security policies could help address growing financial insecurity among creative workers and stem the loss of skilled talent from the sector.
The research focused on the screen industries, which contribute more than £124 billion to the UK economy but rely heavily on a workforce of freelancers and project-based workers. Many face unstable incomes, limited employment protections and challenging working conditions, issues that have been intensified by the pandemic, industry disruptions and the cost-of-living crisis.
By analysing policy approaches used in six other countries, the study identified practical reforms that could significantly improve freelancers’ disposable income and resilience. Findings suggested that measures such as a screen-sector basic income, targeted housing support, unemployment assistance and support with social insurance contributions could provide meaningful financial stability, particularly for low-income workers, younger workers and disabled freelancers.
The project offers policymakers a framework for creating more inclusive labour markets while supporting the sustainability of a key creative industry.
Learning & teaching
An innovative new partnership between the University of Glasgow and Skyscanner could be the answer to Scotland’s computer studies crisis.
Skyscanner, one of Scotland’s biggest tech success stories, is the founding partner of an innovative new pilot, combining computer science initial teacher education and a career in the tech industry. The ‘braided career’ approach aims to encourage software engineers to earn a teaching qualification and inspire the next generation of coders, while still building their careers outside the classroom.
Skyscanner has recruited a mix of existing and new employees specifically for the programme, all four of whom will take on part-time positions at the travel search giant, enabling them to study for PDGE Diplomas at the University of Glasgow while also taking on teaching placements at Glasgow University partnership schools.
The new programme, thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland, has been developed by computing science and teacher education experts at the University of Glasgow, in partnership with KPE4 Charitable Trust.
The programme is setting out to address the shortfall in computing science teachers in Scotland’s secondary schools, helping pupils to find rewarding careers in the future and providing a pipeline of talent to help support the Scottish tech sector in the years to come.
In January 2026, the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab (FRIL), supported by the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, launched the FRIL Skills Academy, an innovative education platform designed to address emerging skills gaps across the financial services, professional services and fintech sectors. The initiative responds to rapid technological change, increasing regulatory complexity, and growing demand for expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, data quality and regulatory compliance.
The Academy was developed following industry research undertaken by FRIL which identified significant workforce shortages that risk constraining innovation, productivity and competitiveness. By providing accessible, industry-informed training and professional development opportunities, the programme aims to equip current and future professionals with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in a rapidly evolving sector.
A distinctive feature of the Academy is its collaborative approach. Designed with direct input from industry partners and delivered through academic expertise, the programme combines practical learning with challenge-led education that addresses real-world business needs. This ensures that training remains relevant to employers while supporting career development for learners.
The University offers a wide range of on-campus employment opportunities, including student ambassador, content creator, internship and peer support roles.
University operations
Chinese students coming to study at Glasgow are benefitting from specialist support to help them with their job search on returning to their home country.
University of Glasgow and University of Birmingham have launched an exclusive partnership with JOBShaigui, a leading graduate career support organisation, to help graduates kick-start their careers after finishing their degrees in the UK. JOBShaigui have an excellent reputation in China and extensive reach to top employers. The partnership is the first phase of a broader initiative, which offers additional support to international students after graduation.
JOBShaigui will offer a range of bespoke solutions including online seminars with up-to-date information on the Chinese job market, advice on navigating recruitment processes and priority access to their large network of top employers; in addition to in-country networking events with alumni and employers building on the extensive networks of both universities and JOBShaigui.
The University has invested more than £1 million annually in student wages and paid internships for the second consecutive year, with spending projected to reach £1.5 million during the 2025–26 academic year. The initiative reflects growing demand for flexible, paid work opportunities that help students gain professional experience while completing their studies.
The University offers a wide range of on-campus employment opportunities, including student ambassador, content creator, internship and peer support roles. These positions enable students to build workplace skills, professional networks and confidence while balancing academic commitments.
A flagship programme, Find A Solution, funds paid internships with third-sector organisations across Scotland. In 2025–26, the programme provided 48 internships, each offering 160 hours of paid work experience while supporting organisations to address operational and social challenges.
The investment forms part of a broader employability strategy that connects students with opportunities across Glasgow’s economy, including the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District. The impact is reflected in graduate outcomes, with 94.8% of University of Glasgow graduates progressing to a positive destination within 15 months of graduation.
Civic engagement
The UK’s leading universities are major forces for economic growth, and their reach is both national and global. A report shows the research and commercialisation activities of the Russell Group institutions – of which the University of Glasgow is a member – equated to £37.6 billion in 2021–22.
In Scotland, the economic impact is put at more than £2.3 billion, supporting 21,630 jobs, according to London Economics, that assessed what the group’s 27 research-intensive universities mean to the UK economy. For every £1 of public funds invested in research at these institutions, more than £8.50 is generated for the UK economy.
On the back of the report, the Russell Group is urging the Government to maximise the economic potential of the UK’s research-intensive universities by ensuring at least 3% of GDP is invested into R&D by 2030.
