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> PARLIAMENT TO HOST MAJOR RESEARCH CONFERENCE IN MARCH
>
> A major one-day conference focussing on the role of research in informing
> public policy development and scrutiny in the context of the Scottish
> Parliament is to be held in Edinburgh next month.
> Hosted by the Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe), the conference will
> be held in the main debating chamber at the Assembly Hall on Friday, March
> 30.
> The Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament said in their
> 1998 report: "Only well informed MSPs can contribute fully to the
> governance of Scotland. An information strategy, and a well-resourced
> information service, are vital to the achievement of an ongoing dialogue
> between Parliament and the People".
> The establishment of the Scottish Parliament has increased the volume and
> accessibility of policy development and scrutiny in Scotland. This has
> created new opportunities for input into the work of the Parliament.
> Research is a single but vitally important source for informing all
> aspects of policy.
> The purpose of this conference is to provide an opportunity for
> individuals involved in policy and research to identify, discuss and
> debate the issues about the relationship between policy, scrutiny and
> research in the context of the Scottish Parliament.
> The conference will bring together individuals with direct but very
> diverse experience of this process. This includes MSPs, Parliament
> research staff, civil servants, academics and think tank members.
> The conference - which runs from 10.00 until 16.00 - will be chaired by
> George Reid, one of the Parliament's Deputy Presiding Officers. The will
> be four main sections to the day's programme, each one followed by the
> opportunity for questions from the floor. A copy of the conference
> programme is attached.
>
> Conference Programme
> "Good Governance - the place of research in informing public policy and
> scrutiny in Scotland"
> 10.00-10.10: Welcome from Mr George Reid, Deputy Presiding Officer.
> 10.10-10.40: Introduction and scene setting
> Dr Gordon Marshall, Chief Executive, Economic and Social Research Council
> (ESRC).
> 10.40-11.10: Developing and Scrutinising Policy and Legislation - using
> and commissioning social research
> Janet Seaton, Head of Research and Information Services, SPICe, The
> Scottish Parliament; Dr Andrew Scott, Chief Research Officer, The Scottish
> Executive Central Research Unit.
> 11.10-11.30: Questions from the floor.
> 11.45-12.15: MSPs' perspectives on the use of research in the Parliament
> Des McNulty MSP, Member, Scottish Parliament Corporate Body; Mike Watson
> MSP, Convener Scottish Parliament Finance Committee.
> 12.15-12.30: Questions from the floor.
> 12.30-13.30: Lunch.
> 13.40-14.55: What is the role for research in informing the work of the
> Scottish Parliament?
> Greg Philo, Research Director, Glasgow University Media Group; David
> Gough, Evidence for Policy & Practice Information Co-ordinating Centre,
> University of London; Jim MacCormack, Head of Research, Scottish Council
> Foundation .
> 14.55-15.15: Questions from the floor.
>
> 15.15-15.45: Open Discussion led by Lesley Beddie, Director of
> Communications, Scottish Parliament.
> 15.45-16.00: Conference Close.
>
> Interested in participating?
> An on-line booking form is available by clicking here
> <../research/goodgov.htm>, or if you would like a programme and booking
> form sent to you please contact:
> Steve Tallach, SPICe, Parliament Headquarters, Edinburgh EH99 1SP. Tel
> 0131 348 5362; Fax 0131 348 5378. E-mail:
> [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Please note: For reasons of security we are unable to accept bookings or
> substitute delegates after 16 March 2001.
> If you are unable to attend the conference you will be able to follow the
> live proceedings on the internet. The webcast can be viewed at
> www.scottishparliamentlive.com <http://www.scottishparliamentlive.com> or
> via the Parliament's established website - www.scottish.parliament.uk
> <http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/>
>
> BACKGROUND NOTES
> The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
> The purpose of SPICe is to provide parliamentary committees, MSPs, their
> staff, and Parliament staff with expert information and research support
> for their parliamentary duties. All the work is impartial and non-partisan
> and enquiries are treated in confidence.
>
> SPICe Mission Statement:
> *     to raise the standard of debate
> *     to sharpen the focus of scrutiny
> *     to improve the quality of the legislation
> *     to promote information and knowledge about the Parliament itself
> Researchers in SPICe provide support to MSPs for their full range of
> parliamentary duties - in scrutinising legislation, developing policy,
> representing constituents and participating in parliamentary proceedings.
> The Researchers prepare papers, give written and oral briefings and advise
> on alternative sources of expertise. SPICe also manages a modest budget
> for commissioning external research for parliamentary Committees.
>
> For further information, the media contact is: Andrew Slorance: 0131 348
> 5389
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]> For factual Holyrood
> Progress Group information contact: Sarah Davidson, Secretary to the HPG:
> 0131 348 6509
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]> For public information
> enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000 For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278
> 1999 (local call rate)
> email: [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk
> <http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/>
>
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