Centre for Science, Knowledge and Policy
Welcome to SKAPE
The Centre for Science, Knowledge and Policy at Edinburgh (SKAPE) brings together academic researchers across a range of disciplines, as well as policy practitioners, to examine the relationships and intersections between different types of science and knowledges on policy. With a membership of over 130 academics and practitioners, SKAPE is committed to exploring and sharing ideas across universities, policy institutions and the wider public to improve the use of knowledge and evidence in democratic decision-making.
Research from SKAPE members covers a range of topics, including research on climate change, energy systems, migration policy, public health, environmental politics, education, international development, and more.

Blogs, perspectives and opinion

The Role of Scientific Expertise in the Drive for ‘Smart Urbanism’ in the Edinburgh City Region
Based on one of our recent seminars, Nicolas Zehner summarises his research on the Edinburgh City Region, exploring the role of higher education institutions in shaping their environments.

Formal and informal shelter provision on the ‘Balkan Route’
The IR_Aesthetics collective summarise the findings of their recent research on how EU migration policies affect refugees and asylum seekers along the so-called ‘Balkan Route’, raising the question: are policies based on evidence?

Wellbeing Economics and Post-COVID Welfare Policy
In this blog, Dr David Yarrow critically examines the value of wellbeing economics in current debates, placing it into conversation with current economic challenges brought to the fore through the UK’s response to Covid-19.