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 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
The role of Work Integrated Social Enterprise (WISE) in supporting employment and desistance for criminalised individuals – By Dr Rebecca Oswald, Northumbria University
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
Co-Producing Social Enteprise Strategy: a Critical Examination of The Policy Co-Production Process – By Maeve Curtin, Glasgow Caledonian University
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
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