Author Archives: Edinburgh_AoG

Local Praxis – Making the links between research and delivery in providing local government services | LGIU: Local Government Information Unit

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Edinburgh_AoG

At an event hosted by Edinburgh University & chaired by James Mitchell, over 30 people gathered together to discuss the opportunities available to make connections between the impressive work happening within the university on local government and public services policy … Continue reading →

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What are the challenges and opportunities of data/digital for local provision of public services?

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Edinburgh_AoG

Thoughts on five themes It would be easy to be overwhelmed by the variety and velocity of opportunities and challenges that data presents for local provision of public services. I am making a distinction here between data and digital.  For … Continue reading →

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It’s not (just) “the environment, stupid!”

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

  Rachel Howell, Lecturer in Sociology/Sustainable Development People who cut their carbon footprint because they’re worried about climate change are ‘environmental’ types, right? They love ‘nature’ and get fired up by those photos of polar bears stranded on melting ice. They … Continue reading →

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Scotland’s Climate Change Ambition – ‘the people bit’

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

Ragne Low, ClimateXChange Programme Manager, University of Edinburgh 2017 will go down as the year when Scotland unequivocally nailed its colours to the mast of climate change action, with not one, not two, but three comprehensive policy commitments on climate change. The … Continue reading →

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If having children is bad for the environment, what should parents do about it?

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

Dr Elizabeth Cripps, Senior Lecturer in Political Theory, Programme Director, MSc Global Environment, Politics & Society, University of Edinburgh   Here’s a thought many of us find uncomfortable. When we tally up the ways our individual behaviour increases carbon emissions – flying, … Continue reading →

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The Trump Administration and the Curious Case for Climate Optimism

Posted on September 18, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

As part of ‘Climate Week’, the Academy of Government will blog on the subject of the environment this week.  We start the week with Professor Bomberg on President Trump and the environment. Elizabeth Bomberg, Professor of Politics, University of Edinburgh, … Continue reading →

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Lobbying in the UK: legitimate reform or wishful thinking?

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

Joshua Bird   The quest for increased transparency is very appropriate given the various lobbying scandals that have plagued Westminster over the last decade. Lobbying legislation in the UK has thus changed considerably over this period. In 2014, the UK … Continue reading →

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Take Back Control

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

‘If I was starting again and founding the SNP today, maybe I would call it something else but I’m not and it has been in existence now for 90 years and the problem here is not the name of the … Continue reading →

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Does public engagement on NHS service change lead to greater public support for difficult decisions?

Posted on July 31, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

Richard Norris, Visiting Fellow, Academy of Government and Director of Scottish Health Council A recent seminar organised by the Academy of Government, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, and the Usher Institute, explored the issue of public engagement in health service change. We … Continue reading →

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What next for the Liberal Democrats?

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Edinburgh_AoG

Margaret Smith, former Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West. Much was expected of the Lib Dems going into this year’s elections. In Scotland, Willie Rennie confidently told his party’s Spring Conference that they spoke for the majority in Scotland who … Continue reading →

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