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Economics academics take RSE-funded collaboration to IIASA in Vienna
Dr Niko Hauzenberger and Dr Gioele Figus from the Department of Economics completed a two-week research visit at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, near Vienna, in June as part of a project funded by a Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Collaboration Grant.
The funded project - “How to keep the economy dancing when the music stops: System-integrated policymaking in times of global disruptions” - combines Strathclyde’s expertise in modelling shock propagation through production networks with IIASA’s mission to provide science-backed guidance to policy makers worldwide.
The recent surge in price inflation, global supply-chain and trade disruptions, and geopolitical risk has underscored the need for integrated, evidence-based macroeconomic policy responses, which is where the expertise of the Strathclyde researchers comes into play.
At the core of the project is a macroeconomic model in which sectors are interconnected through a production network derived from input-output data (data on how sectors buy from and sell to one another). The model decomposes the total impact of a disruption on any given sector into direct effects and spillovers transmitted through other sectors, offering insights into economic resilience, helping to identify vulnerable sectors, and informing the design of more effective policy interventions. This project extends the application of the model by looking at the case of the European Union, which is of fundamental interest to IIASA.
The visit culminated in a workshop, “System-Integrated Policymaking in Times of Global Disruptions”, held at IIASA on June 23. The workshop was opened by Petr Havlík, Director of the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Program at IIASA. A first session on production networks and multi-sector input-output modelling included presentations by Dr Figus on assessing diet shifts and structural shocks in input-output frameworks, and by IIASA researchers Tamás Krisztin, Michael Wögerer and Michael Kuhn on IIASA’s global land-use model GLOBIOM, its links to the MAGNET model, and the microfoundations of macroeconomic land-use models.
A second session turned to advanced macroeconomic time series modelling and spatial econometrics. Dr Hauzenberger provided an overview of the project’s network model, Leo Ringwald (IIASA) gave a talk on connecting micro-level distributions to macroeconomic aggregates, and Michael Wögerer on the regional determinants of rural attractiveness in Europe. Dr Figus closed the workshop with a synthesis of collaboration pathways and future joint funding opportunities.
Dr Hauzenberger said, “The workshop was a fantastic opportunity for research exchange and food for thought, and it fitted the theme of the project exactly. We are very grateful to the Royal Society of Edinburgh for making both the research visit and the workshop possible, and to everyone at Strathclyde and IIASA who made it such a stimulating day. We hope this is just the start of a lasting partnership.”
During the visit Dr Figus also presented joint work with Dr Geoffroy Duparc-Portier, Professor Graeme Roy and Professor Peter McGregor on redistributing the gains from trade across three dimensions of inequality, carried out as part of the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy.
Work now continues on refining the model in response to feedback from IIASA users and finalising an off-the-shelf code package, with a view to testing the model on a concrete policy issue and scoping joint funding applications.
Zero Waste Scotland bid for inclusion success
Professor Iain Black has been successful as Principal Investigator for a bid for inclusion in a behavioural analysis call-off contract worth £1 million over 2 years for Zero Waste Scotland.
This success means the team can now bid for individual contacts within this. Professor Black leads the only Scottish consortium, made up of University of Strathclyde (Department of Marketing, DMEM), University of Stirling and University of Glasgow, giving them significant advantage over the other bidders as the new Community Wealth Building legislation requires Scottish public bodies to consider the local economic impact of their procurement.
The bid was put together with help from Sarah Bucahan, systems engineering management manager in DMEM whose knowledge of supporting consortium building and bid writing allowed the academic team led by Professor Iain Black to focus on the research elements of the bid. They outscored our nearest rival by over 11 points in 75 before pricing was included. There are four contracts that the team can now bid for this summer.
Students enjoy Toulouse elective
Students on the Masters in International Management (MIM), Masters in Business and Management (MBM) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) programmes travelled to Toulouse Business School in France in June to take part in an elective module Managing in Europe focused on international people management and cross-cultural leadership.
The module was designed to equip students with the essential skills needed to manage people effectively across Europe, with a particular emphasis on cultural awareness, knowledge sharing, and navigating cross-cultural differences in the workplace.
Shamini Gunasagaran wrote a blog on her experience of the the Toulouse module and another summer school elective she completed here
SBS alumnus listed in Top 35 CAs under 35
SBS alumnus Cameron Dunlop has been listed in the ICAS CA Rising Stars for 2026 as one of the Top 35 CAs under 35.
Department of Accounting and Finance graduate Cameron won the “Community and Social Value” category and received his award at a ceremony in early June. Cameron graduated with a 1st class degree in Accounting and Finance in 2020.
Cameron said, “I was honoured to be recognised as one of the Top 35 Chartered Accountants Under 35 at the ICAS Rising Stars Awards. I was especially proud to be named the winner of the Community and Social Value category, which made the evening even more meaningful.
“It’s a privilege to be part of the ICAS community, and it was great to meet so many inspiring professionals from across the industry. Congratulations to the other 34 CAs and the other category winners!”
Cameron is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant working as a Finance Business Partner at London Stansted Airport.
The full list of ICAS winners can be found here.
Associate Researcher post for WEO academic
Dr Michael Vallely, Scottish Centre for Employment Research (SCER) within the Department of Work, Employment and Organisation, has been appointed as an Associate Researcher with the Bridge Group.
The Bridge Group is an independent research charity promoting socio-economic inclusion through evidence, insight and collaboration, and is one of the main organisations doing work in Dr Vallely's primary area of interest on social class and social mobility.
Dr Vallely said, “I’m delighted to be working with the Bridge Group – as well as the post being recognition of the research I do, it’s great to have an official working partnership between the Bridge Group and Strathclyde Business School, and I look forward to our continuing relationship.”
Students take part in MSc Away Day
The Department of Work, Employment and Organisation's annual MSc Work & Organisational Psychology/MSc Occupational Psychology Away Day took place in early July, hosted by Professor Dora Scholarios and Dr Joanna Butler.
This year's theme - Research, Practice and Impact - brought together students, academics and practitioners to explore the diverse career opportunities within the profession and the importance of translating research into real-world impact.
Guest speakers included Dr Belgin Okay-Somerville, Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow and Co-Editor of EAWOP In Practice; Stephanie Wrightson, Senior Case Manager at Salus Occupational Health, Safety and Return to Work Services; Ceire Fulton, Learning & Development Partner at Klarent Hospitality; and Taranjot Chopra, KTP Associate with Solutions on Demand and the University of Strathclyde.
Dr Butler also shared her experience of commercialising research through the development of MyEmploy, before students took part in the Commercialising Your Research session, pitching ideas that demonstrated how their own research could create value for organisations, individuals and society.
Research bid for WorkWell expansion successful
Professor Adam Whitworth and Dr Kirsty Strokosch, Department of Work, Employment and Organisation, have been successful in a £3million research evaluation bid, led by the Institute for Employment Studies, of the Department for Work and Pensions' national expansion of the DWP-funded WorkWell programme.
They will lead the research consortium’s understanding of how policy stakeholders should think about, measure, and strengthen effective work-health systems across local areas.
WorkWell is a health-and-work support programme in England that provides early, personalised interventions to help people manage physical and mental health conditions that may otherwise lead to long-term sickness absence.
WorkWell is part of the Government’s response to the national priority of health-related barriers to employment participation, retention, productivity and wellbeing.
The pilots have supported over 25,000 people - many with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions - to stay in or re-enter work, connecting them to local services such as physiotherapy, counselling and workplace adjustments.
The national expansion rolls WorkWell out to all areas of England from April 2026 and is backed by a £259 million investment. Designed to help people with physical or mental health conditions stay in or return to work, the scheme aims to support up to 250,000 individuals
It is part of the Government’s Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity, boost living standards and support economic growth.
WEO Academic’s advisory appointments
Professor Colin Lindsay (WEO/SCER) has been appointed to the Child Poverty Action Group Scotland Advisory Committee. The Committee brings together experts to advise on CPAG's work advocating for public policy to address child poverty in Scotland.
He has also been appointed to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Organisational Culture and Leadership Advisory Panel. The Panel brings together key stakeholders to advise on promoting positive workplace culture and leadership practices in this key area of public services.
Strategic Advocate role for WEO professor
Professor Adam Whitworth (WEO/SCER) has been appointed as Strategic Advocate for Research & Evidence with BASE (British Association for Supported Employment). He will work with BASE members and partners to ensure that evidence informs high quality supported employment & wider employability provision across the UK.
He said, “I look forward to working together with BASE members, wider services, policy colleagues, employers and jobseekers to continue to drive forward the role of evidence in high quality supported employment and wider employability provision across the UK.”
Grant awarded for West London Alliance project
Professor Adam Whitworth, Department of Work, Employment and Organisation, has received a small £30k grant to help West London Alliance develop an innovative Individual Placement and Support (IPS) in-work retention support fidelity scale.
West London Alliance (WLA) is a partnership between seven West London local authorities (Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow). The IPS Fidelity Scale is a 25-item assessment tool that measures how closely a vocational service adheres to the evidence-based IPS model for helping people with severe mental health conditions secure competitive employment
The West London Alliance (WLA) pioneered adapting the standard 25-item IPS fidelity scale to better address in-work retention support and job retention for employed individuals at risk of leaving the workforce due to health conditions.
Advisory group invitation
Professor Matt Hannon has been invited by Scottish Government to join their Onshore Renewables Advisory Group (OnRAG).
OnRAG will provide targeted expert input to support finalisation of the refreshed Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments (GPPs), due to be published later this year or early 2027.
The Scottish Government invited Professor Hannon to join the OnRAG on the basis that they had greatly valued the contribution from SISC (Strathclyde Institute for Sustainable Communities) to the updating of their GPPs to date, such as through SISC’s submissions to their public consultations. They regard SISC’s expertise and insight to be extremely valuable as they seek to develop practical, evidence-based guidance that helps communities share in the opportunities created by Scotland's renewable energy transition.
SASE Conference organisation begins
Professor Patricia Findlay and Johanna McQuarrie (Scottish Centre for Employment Research in the Department of Work, Employment and Organisation) attended the Society for the Advancement for Socio-economics Conference (SASE), July 1-3.
They co-ordinated with the SASE Committee to begin arrangements for the 2027 Conference, which will be hosted by Strathclyde Business School, welcoming 1,200+ international researchers to the University of Strathclyde next year.
Gen AI paper published
Dr Viktor Dorfler, Department of Management Science, has had a paper published in the MIT Sloan Management Review.
Co-authored with Professor Thomas H Davenport, faculty director of the Metropoulos Institute for Technology and Entrepreneurship at Babson College, and a fellow of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, the paper entitled “How GenAI Can and Can’t Help Manage Customer Insights” was published on July 13.
Read the paper here: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-genai-can-and-cant-help-manage-customer-insights/
World Cup article published on Economics Observatory website
Aidan Rooney, a Knowledge Exchange Associate at the Fraser of Allander Institute, had an article on Scotland's performance at the World Cup published on the Economics Observatory website.
Aidan’s article was also published on the SBS blog. Find it here: https://www.sbs.strath.ac.uk/blogs/sbs/post.aspx?id=1665
Expert roundtable invitation for Accounting and Finance academic
Dr Livia Pancotto, senior lecturer in banking in the Department of Accounting and Finance, was invited to participate in the experts’ roundtable on "The Future of Sustainable Finance from Green Bonds to ESG Risks: Advances in Policy and Research" at the 4th edition of the Conference on Sustainable Banking & Finance (CSBF). The conference was held in Naples and hosted by Parthenope University from July 1-2.
Dr Pancotto said, “It was great discussing such important topics with an excellent group of representatives from academia and leading national and international institutions and I’m glad to have presented my work on climate change and central bank implications, with evidence from Africa, that I developed during my visiting period at the Bank for International Settlements.”