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About the Rural Society Team
The Rural Society team focuses on the changing rural social and economic landscape of Scotland, with links also to comparative international research. We aim to provide evidence and guidance relating to the resilience, vibrancy and sustainability of Scotland's rural communities.
Our analysis therefore takes place at three broad levels. Firstly, we examine UK, Scottish, regional and local policy and practice development, within government, public sector agencies, and the private and third sector. Secondly, we examine how such policies and practices translate into actions and impacts on the ground. Thirdly, we research on-the-ground (endogenous) activities, processes, governance, and outcomes, through home-grown initiatives and through programmes such as LEADER. We aim to move beyond individual case studies to a systematised understanding of resilient and vibrant communities, identifying patterns and processes across localities. Methodologically, we are skilled in quantitative approaches (e.g. analysis of secondary data, questionnaire formatting and data entry, statistical analysis), qualitative approaches (e.g. interviews, focus groups, small-scale surveys. thematic analysis) and database management (e.g. nVivo, SPSS).
We work in close collaboration with a number of partners/bodies. Through the RERAD-commissioned research into governance and empowerment, we work closely with researchers at the James Hutton Institute. Through SAC's Rural Scotland in Focus initiative, we work with a range of HEIs in Scotland (including University of the Highlands and Islands [Centre for Rural Health; Centre for Remote and Rural Studies; Mountain Research Centre; Lews College; Scottish Association for Marine Science], Aberdeen University, Edinburgh University), third sector (such as SCVO, LEADER LAGs, community landlords and development trusts), Scottish Community Development Centre, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ), and many of the rural Local Authorities (mostly closely with Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire and Orkney Islands). We also work with rural policy teams in Northern Ireland (DARD), Wales (Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs) and England (Rural Coalition and Defra).
In England, Wales, Northern Ireland and internationally, we have active research links with: Countryside and Community Research Institute, University of Gloucestershire; University of Aberystwyth; Institute of Rural Health, Wales; Queen's University Belfast; Solidarite Rurale du Quebec (Canada); University of South Australia, La Trobe University and Charles Darwin University (Australia); Helsinki University (Finland); and Ag Research (New Zealand).
The Rural Society Research Team is delighted to be welcoming Marianna Markantoni from the University of Groningen. She will start working at SAC in January 2012. Please click on her details to find out more.