For a more equitable and sustainable Scotland
The Partnership brings together the academic expertise from the University of the West of Scotland and the social justice and anti-poverty campaigning strengths of Oxfam Scotland to collaborate with civil society organisations to conduct research and to inform policy debates to help deliver a more equitable and sustainable Scotland.
The UWS-Oxfam Partnership was launched in 2011. Since then, its activities – particularly its research projects, but also its Policy Forums – have critically examined the impacts of public policies on equalities, sustainability and poverty.
At the same time, Partnership activities have sought to provide policy-focused ideas to inform debates on how to deliver a more sustainable and equitable Scotland.
14 years…
…of partnership working.
Over 20…
…research outputs, sharing evidence and learning.
Impact…
…on policy decisions in Scotland.
“
Partnership research has examined the impacts of public policies on equalities, sustainability and poverty and has suggested concrete ideas for change”
Dr Hartwig Pautz
Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences and co-lead of the Partnership
Latest from the Partnership
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Listening to unpaid carers supporting people affected by alcohol and drugs
Every day, thousands of people across Scotland provide unpaid care for someone affected by alcohol or drug problems. Their work is often invisible, emotionally and physically demanding, and rarely recognised. Yet it has a profound impact on families, communities, and public health. Substance use remains a serious challenge in Scotland. In 2024, 1 in 5
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Honorary doctorate for Head of Oxfam Scotland
The Head of Oxfam Scotland has been recognised at the first of the University of the West of Scotland’s winter graduations. Jamie Livingstone was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the University’s Dumfries graduation ceremony, which took place in October 2025 at the Crichton Memorial Church. Jamie said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition
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Policy Forum 2025
Between November 2024 and May 2025, the Partnership held six ‘Afternoon Tea and Policy in Renfrewshire’ workshops on the University’s Paisley campus. Amongst the participants were representatives from private, public and third sector organisations. At the workshops, participants discussed how the cost of living crisis, housing issues, employment and training, care/caring, and health and wellbeing