Russell’s parting shot calls for Scottish voice at RCUK

Scotland’s outgoing education secretary has called on organisations to consider how the nation can have more influence on the priorities of the UK research councils.

“I want to see our voice heard more clearly in the research councils,” Mike Russell told a Scottish universities conference on 19 November. Two days later, he was replaced by Angela Constance as cabinet secretary for education and lifelong learning in first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s cabinet reshuffle. Constance did not comment on Russell’s call, but a Scottish government spokeswoman said the secretary hoped to “ensure that Scotland’s interests are reflected alongside those of the rest of the UK”. She added that research council funding should continue to be based on excellence with impact.

In his speech, Russell called on Universities Scotland and the Scottish Funding Council to “coordinate that voice so that something can be said about Scottish research priorities”.