A new Scottish housing network which will bring together the academic, public and private sectors for a more collaborative approach to issues surrounding the Scottish housing system, will be launched tomorrow (15 June 2006).

The Scottish Housing Economics and Finance Research Network, organised by the University of Glasgow's Urban Studies Department and the Glasgow Solicitors' Property Centre (GSPC), aims both to improve collaborative research, by bringing together researchers from all over the world, and to better connect academic research with policy makers.

Dr Gwilym Pryce of the University of Glasgow's Urban Studies Department, and founder and chair of SHEFRN, said: "Many of the UK's leading housing researchers are located north of the border so it makes sense for Scottish policy makers and practitioners to make the most of this important resource. SHEFRN will provide researchers with a forum for future collaboration as well as bridging the gap between the different sectors."

The event will also highlight the findings of one of the most important housing research projects in Scotland in recent years: 'Demographic Change and the Housing Market'. Dr Eric Levin (University of Glasgow) and Professor Robert Wright (University of Strathclyde) will present their work on the impact of net out-migration and falling fertility rates on the future of the Scottish housing market. Their work will also be published on the www.shefrn.org website as the first issue of a new discussion paper series to be launched by SHEFRN following the conference.

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For more information please contact the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3535 or email K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 14 June 2006