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. 

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

Resources and business support

Working with university reseachers and staff – getting started

How to find an Academic for your Third Sector research

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 aspiring or early-stage entrepreneurs to bring their purpose-led businesses to life, including 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.

Research Directory

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 Enteprise 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 Process

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 West of Scotland
  • Crichton Institute