The Universities and Social Economy Forum (USEF) is a collaborative initiative led by Social Enterprise Scotland (SES), in partnership with universities and other research and support organisations.

With quarterly meetings, its core objective is to foster a supportive ecosystem to enable the growth of social enterprises and other mission-led, inclusive businesses, by supporting, promoting and developing new research, mutual learning, networking and relationship building, practical business development support and investment. 

If you would like to find out more, please get in touch by emailing duncan.thorp@socialenterprise.scot

A big thank you to our regular meeting hosts, Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and Edinburgh Napier University!

Resources and business support

Working with university researchers and staff – getting started

How to find an Academic for your Third Sector research

FreshSight Consulting – student ingenuity and passion to create positive social impact, by providing socially conscious organisations with practical, sustainable and innovative business solutions.

The Social Impact Spin-Outs (SISO) service – helping spin-out academic research with social impact into successful and sustainable social enterprises.

The Ventures Lab – an inclusive, supportive path for any aspiring or early-stage entrepreneurs to bring their purpose-led businesses to life. This includes university and college start-ups and spin-outs.

Scottish Parliament Academia Network (SPAN)

Interface – brings together Scotland’s academic and business communities to deliver economic, environmental, and social prosperity for Scotland.

SES Research Directory

Social Enterprise Scotland is committed to increasing the number of social enterprise and IDBM research-related projects that we support, in order to inform policy development, strengthen the case for social enterprise and to provide evidence that supports both government and sector decision-making.

Exploring Barriers Faced by Social Enterprises in Scotland – By Ivana Popovic and Wendy Wu, Edinburgh Napier University

Report_SES_Draft 3_28 AugustDownload

Research into Social Enterprises not identifying as Social Enterprise – By Social Enterprise Scotland and Social Value Lab

SES Report_SVLDownload

Academic and Sector Research Directory

Social Enterprise in Scotland: Census 2024 – By the Scottish Government and Diffley Partnership

2024-reportDownload

ACCESS REPORT: Investigating Access to Finance for Ethnic Minority Social Entrepreneurs – By Dechomai Ltd, Firstport, and Social Investment Scotland (SIS)

ACCESS-Report-Full-Version-FinalDownload

Cold Spots of Community-led Activity – By Community Enterprise

Cold Spots of Community-led ActivityDownload

The Impact of Technology Adoption on Scottish Social Enterprises’ Operation – By Han-Ju (Emma) Yang, University of Edinburgh

UoE_SE-Survey-Report_Full_HJ_042024-1Download

The role of Work Integrated Social Enterprise (WISE) in supporting employment and desistance for criminalised individuals – By Dr Rebecca Oswald, Northumbria University

WISE-Pilot-Project-Findings-ReportDownload

Community Wealth Building in Scotland: Exploring ‘New’ Ways to Build an Inclusive Local Economy – By Dr Micaela Mazzei, Dr Gill Murray, Dr Dani Hutcheon, Connor Hodgson-Brunniche, Glasgow Caledonian University

Community Wealth Building in Scotland: Exploring ‘New’ Ways to Build an Inclusive Local EconomyDownload

Co-Producing Social Enterprise Strategy: A Critical Examination of The Policy Co-Production Process – By Maeve Curtin, Glasgow Caledonian University

Co-Producing Social Enteprise Strategy: a Critical Examination of The Policy Co-Production ProcessDownload

How and Why Social Enterprises Adopt Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Implications for Research and Practice – By Artur Steiner, Micaela Mazzei, Francesca Caló & Gordon Liu, Glasgow Caledonian University

How and Why Social Enterprises Adopt Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities Challenges and Future Implications for Research and PracticeDownload

Community Wealth Building In Practice: Evaluating CVSE Readiness In Northern Ireland – By Elisha McCallion, Ulster University

McCallion-CWB-DissertationDownload

The Responsive Role of the Enterprising University to National Skills Development: Pedagogies, Practices, and Partnerships – By Robert Crammond, University of the West of Scotland

Crammond+Guest+EditorialDownload

Supporting Businesses through Adaptive Intervention: Reviewing National Policy and University Engagement Towards a Principles-led Entrepreneurial Development Framework – By William Russell, Dr Robert Crammond, Dr Jayakumar Chinnasamy and Dr Nawreen Sobhan, University of the West of Scotland

Supporting businesses through adaptive intervention reviewing national policy and university engagement towards a principles-led entrepreneurial development frameworkDownload

Partners and members include:

  • Queen Margaret University
  • Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Edinburgh Napier University
  • University of Edinburgh 
  • Abertay University 
  • Challenges Worldwide
  • Social Value Lab
  • SCVO
  • Evaluation Support Scotland 
  • University of Guelph
  • Highlands and Islands University
  • Community Enterprise
  • University of the West of Scotland
  • Crichton Institute