The Fraser of Allander Institute turns 50 - new events lined up

Founded in 1975, the FAI has grown into a powerful voice in Scottish and UK economics. Now, five decades later, the Fraser is honouring its legacy with a dynamic programme of events and themed outputs throughout the year, showcasing the Institute’s history, impact, and future direction.

Plans have now progressed with several events lined up:

50th Anniversary Conference, September 18 and 19

The Institute will host its inaugural conference at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre. The conference is a celebration of the work that the institute conducts, including keynote speakers, themed sessions and an opportunity to network with individuals working across applied economics in Scotland.

The themed sessions will include research and discussions on fiscal sustainability, poverty and inequality, trade and data improvement and evaluation, among others, with the aim to highlight the broad nature of the work conducted by the Institute.

Many FAI partners will be there on the day, as well as confirmed keynote speakers Professor Sir John Curtice and Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland. To register for the conference, click here.

Scotland Office Reception, Dover House, London, October

The FAI will host a parliamentary reception in October at Dover House in London. The event will provide an opportunity to network with those across the UK, including partners, researchers and organisations who have worked with the Fraser over the past 50 years. This also provides a great opportunity for those not able to attend the events in Scotland.

Full details on how to attend this event will be shared in the coming weeks.

Parliamentary Reception, Scottish Parliament, December 2025

To close out the year of celebrations, the FAI will also host a parliamentary reception at The Scottish Parliament on December 11, 2025. This event will provide an opportunity for everyone who has worked with or for the Institute to celebrate the past, present and future of the Fraser of Allander Institute.

Full details on how to register for this event will be shared in the coming weeks.

As well as all of this, keep an eye out for new research and outputs on the history of the FAI, including insight on why the FAI was founded, how it’s evolved, and the impact it’s had. The FAI will also publish a series of reports and podcasts diving into the economic landscape that shaped it, and how its research has influenced the conversation.

We look forward to celebrating the past, present and future of the Fraser of Allander Institute with you over the remainder of this year. If you would like to find out more, visit our website www.fraserofallander.org, or drop the team an email at fraser@strath.ac.uk