A new hub for innovative thinking on public policy will launch this week with a debate about the different currency policy scenarios that would confront an independent Scotland.

The launch and inaugural seminar on Monday 24^th June will be hosted by the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Anton Muscatelli.

 The Scotsman: Scottish Independence: Own currency needed if 'Yes' 

Dr. Angus Armstrong, ESRC fellow and Director of Macroeconomic Research at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research and Professor Ronald MacDonald, Adam Smith Chair of Political Economy at the University of Glasgow will take part in the debate.

 

The Scotsman: Ronald MacDonald: the currency question

In the first of a series of seminars examining policy options in the event of a vote in favour of independence, a group of eminent academics will dig into the evidence and make an important contribution to the constitutional question.  This will then be followed by a public debate in the evening. Papers associated with the debate will be posted shortly on our website:  http://policyscotland.gla.ac.uk.

Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Anton Muscatelli said

"Policy Scotland is an excellent and timely new initiative that will provide  a hub for policy research and increase Glasgow University's capacity to contribute to policy thinking in Scotland, the UK and internationally.  This is a critical time for public policy development given the current and important debates around constitutional change and I’ve no doubt that Policy Scotland will have a tremendous contribution to make to these discussions."

Professor Ken Gibb, Director of Policy Scotland said “It is vital that Scottish voters have the opportunity to fully understand, in the light of a ‘yes’ vote, the range of currency options and their economic consequences for monetary and economic management. We have brought together a very well qualified group of experts to discuss this matter and to put forward their views at this event.  This is the first of what I am sure will be a terrific series of debates and I am certain Policy Scotland can play an important role in all issues surrounding the development of public policy.”  

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Further information

Policy Scotland

Policy Scotland is a policy research and knowledge exchange hub based at the University of Glasgow. We aim to stimulate new and critical policy thinking by bringing together academics, practitioners and policy makers, feeding fresh ideas into policy debates in Scotland, the UK and internationally.

At the University of Glasgow, we are able to draw on the work of academic specialists across a wide range of fields relevant to public and social policy issues. Policy Scotland will build on existing collaboration between researchers and practitioners and policy-makers, leading to innovative forms of engagement and co-production of new research.

First published: 21 June 2013