Looking Ahead: The Centre for Public Policy at the Festival of Politics 2025
Published: 1 July 2025
The Centre for Public Policy is delighted to be taking part in this year’s Scottish Parliament Festival of Politics, bringing vital research and ideas from the University of Glasgow to the heart of national debate. Our event 'Holyrood 2026: The Big Issues' marks the beginning of the Centre's Scottish Parliament election work.
Join the Centre for Public Policy on Friday 22 August for 'Holyrood 2026: The Big Issues' - get your tickets!
Holyrood 2026: The Big Issues -Friday, 22 August, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Leading academics will unpack the demographic, fiscal, technological and social policy challenges Scotland’s next Parliament must tackle.
Chaired by David McGill (Clerk/Chief Executive of the Scottish Parliament), the panel features:
- Professor Nicola McEwen – Director of the Centre for Public Policy, exploring governance and constitutional change
- Professor Graeme Roy – Chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, on Scotland’s economic outlook
- Professor Shannon Vallor – leading voice on the ethics of AI and emerging technologies
- Dr Hayley Bennett – expert on social policy, social security and tackling poverty
Full details & tickets for “Holyrood 2026: The Big Issues” here
We're also proud to see so many University of Glasgow voices contributing to the Festival this year.
Including our very own Dr Hannah Salamon, Research Associate at the Centre for Public Policy, sharing her climate and gender expertise on – Apocalyptic Climate Optimism: how can we tackle the climate crisis with hope, not despair? - Thu 21 Aug 4:45pm ‐ 6:15pm.
More friends of the Centre for Public Policy:
- Professor Nasar Meer – Action, Not Words: How to Be an Anti-Racist Country: practical steps towards racial equality in Scotland.
- Professor Peter Jackson – Peace in the Middle East?: a timely look at what it would take to achieve lasting peace in this troubled region.
- Dr Lynn Wilson – How Do We Make Things Last?: rethinking waste, repair, and the circular economy.
- Professor Ana Basiri – Will AI and Robots Save Our Economy and Planet?: the role of automation and big data in tackling global challenges.
- Dr Elli Loose – Gen Z and Politics: how the next generation is reshaping our political landscape.
Join the Conversation
At the Centre for Public Policy, we believe that big ideas belong in the public square. The Festival of Politics is a fantastic opportunity to connect research, lived experience and policy, ask difficult questions, and imagine new futures.
We hope you’ll join us — and bring your questions, perspectives and curiosity.
Find out more about the Festival of Politics 2025
To keep up to date with the Centre for Public Policy's election outputs in the run up to Holyrood 2026 make sure your subscribed to our mailing list and podcast!
First published: 1 July 2025
