SPRE is a small charity supported by a network of Scottish universities and policymaking institutions that helps new voices from the academy engage effectively with the world of public policy in order to produce better policy outcomes for Scots. We aim to improve capacity within and beyond our partner institutions through training, the provision of digital tools, strategic guidance and direct brokerage.
SPRE recently secured charitable status in its own right after operating for three years as part of the Academy of Social Sciences. The staff team is looking forward to working with a new chair and board on the next stage of SPRE’s journey.
As SPRE transitions into an independent charity, it will require trustees both for formal governance arrangements and to act as a ‘critical friend’ for the director and team. This is a important time in SPRE’s evolution and our trustees will play a key role in shaping the values, mission and goals of the new charity as it moves forward.
Our vision for the new board is that it will be intersectionally diverse and work well as a whole to:
- Provide strategic guidance that positions SPRE as a significant actor in contributing to transforming research-policy relations in Scotland
- Establish a working culture in line with out values
- Model and move forwards best practice in accountable and transparent governance in the third sector
Chair and Trustees
Chair of Trustees
The Role
The Scottish Policy & Research Exchange (SPRE) builds connections between academics and policymakers, to enhance both impact of academic research and the quality of research evidence available to policy professionals.
Launched at the start of 2019, SPRE became an independent charity this year. As part of this transition, SPRE is seeking a chair and trustees to help shape the organisation as it moves into the next phase of its growth. This time of change will present an opportunity to help shape the organisation’s mission, vision, values and strategy and work with SPRE’s team to apply critical research insights to fashion its governance, structures and practices.
SPRE works with higher education institutions across Scotland, as well as officials in the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, local authorities and other public bodies to support new voices from the academy in engaging with policy. We have a particular focus on diversifying the range of those voices.
As part of our transition, SPRE is developing its own governance structure, including the appointment of its first chair of trustees. It is envisaged that the chair will play an important role, working with the director, in developing the organisations mission and strategic goals.
The chair may well have a professional background in policy or academia but that is not a requirement. We are keen that the postholder should have the availability to engage with SPRE beyond board meetings. The chair should have a track record in demonstrating or articulating the case for the benefits of effective knowledge mobilisation in policymaking, a proven commitment to diversifying the range of expert voices available to policymakers and a familiarity with meeting procedures and a developed appreciation of the fiduciary role of trustees.
While we welcome applications from established scholars and officials working in central government and parliament, we are also keen to hear from early-career researchers and those working in local government and other public bodies. We are particularly keen to hear from those who can offer draw on experience of overcoming barriers and exclusions as a result of (intersections between) their social, cultural or racial background; geographical location or institutional affiliation; career stage or disciplinary background; sexuality, gender or gender identity, disability or migration status.
Application notes
If you share our belief that the more effective mobilisation of academic knowledge can help improve policy outcomes in Scotland, please review the role profile below.
Candidates wishing to apply should send a CV and covering letter, outlining interest and suitability, to the director, Nick Bibby, on contact@spre.scot
Trustee
The Role
The Scottish Policy & Research Exchange (SPRE) builds connections between academics and policymakers, to enhance both impact of academic research and the quality of research evidence available to policy professionals.
Launched at the start of 2019, SPRE became an independent charity this year. As part of this transition, SPRE is seeking a chair and trustees to help shape the organisation as it moves into the next phase of its growth. This time of change will present an opportunity to help shape the organisation’s mission, vision, values and strategy and work with SPRE’s team to apply critical research insights to fashion its governance, structures and practices.
SPRE works with higher education institutions across Scotland, as well as officials in the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, local authorities and other public bodies to support new voices from the academy in engaging with policy. We have a particular focus on diversifying the range of those voices.
We are seeking to appoint in the region of six new trustees. While we would anticipate that many but not all of these would have a professional background in either academia or policy, we would also like to hear from applicants with experience of mobilizing knowledge in other sectors.
Trustees should have a commitment to the value of public policy informed by academic research, an ability to think strategically and a commitment to building a values-led organisation in a collaborative and equitable manner.
While we welcome applications from established scholars and officials working in central government and parliament, we are also keen to hear from early-career researchers and those working in local government and other public bodies. We are particularly keen to hear from those who can offer draw on experience of overcoming barriers and exclusions as a result of (intersections between) their social, cultural or racial background; geographical location or institutional affiliation; career stage or disciplinary background; sexuality, gender or gender identity, disability or migration status.
Application notes
If you share our belief that the more effective mobilisation of academic knowledge can help improve policy outcomes in Scotland, please review the role profile below.
Candidates wishing to apply should send a CV and covering letter, outlining interest and suitability, to the director, Nick Bibby, on contact@spre.scot