Professor Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde, has been appointed to a new national steering group tasked with securing a sustainable future for Scotland’s universities.
The 15-member group will lead the development of the Future Framework – a joint initiative between the Scottish Government and the Universities Scotland, the higher education sector’s representative body.
Announced on 16 February, the steering group will present a series of options to the next Scottish Government and Parliament in autumn 2026, with a 20-year horizon for reform.
Holistic review
It is Scotland’s first holistic review of university funding since devolution and will operate within the parameters of a publicly funded model of undergraduate education for Scottish-domiciled students.
Professor Spowage will contribute her expertise in economic and public policy to the role. As Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, she plays a prominent role in shaping debate on Scotland’s fiscal sustainability, public spending and economic performance.
Professor Spowage said: “The situation universities are in is not financially sustainable. It’s good to see a supported cross-party effort to come up with recommendations that can put them on a more sustainable path. It’s a very important piece of work.”
The steering group includes leaders from universities, the civil service, student and staff trade unions, business and industry, as well as experts in economic and public policy from Scotland and internationally.
It is co-convened by Professor Emerita Andrea Nolan, former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, and Neil Rennick, Director General Education and Justice at the Scottish Government.
Undergraduate education
The review will consider undergraduate education, wider skills development, research and innovation, recognising the central role universities play in supporting economic growth and societal wellbeing.
The Steering Group will work in three phases across the period of the May 2026 election and submit its final report in autumn 2026. Recommendations will be made public at the point they are presented to Government and Parliament.