On 18th March, Liz Kendall outlined new reforms to UK social security policies. The UK social security system is generally considered to be highly centralised; however, through the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Government has developed various social security powers and responsibilities. Read Hayley Bennett and Kay Wiggan on what the UK Government reforms might mean for Scotland.

In some quarters, last year’s general election result in Scotland was considered the death knell for the independence movement. However, while the political winds finally turned against the nationalists, it would be a mistake to write off their founding political project - even as the world plunges into its most uncertain geopolitical era since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

We invite contributions that analyse Scotland’s political institutions, policies, and political identities - both in isolation and in comparative perspective - to enhance academic understanding of the upcoming election and where it might lead Scotland.

Adrian Florea argues that contested territories in practice enjoy varying degrees of international sovereignty over governance functions

Why do independence movements win overwhelming support nearly everywhere except in wealthy democracies of the global North?

This workshop brings together researchers from across the UK whose work provides insights into the scale and nature of UK welfare rescaling by examining sub-national, devolved and local employment and social security policies. The event seeks to share research findings, stimulate discussion, and consider social policy futures.