PhD students pitch research-informed policy to tackle social challenges, and they want to hear from you!

Join us for this Curious interactive workshop where social science PhD students from the The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science will connect their research with some of the real-world “wicked problems” facing society. Listen as they pitch their single policy solutions to you – the audience.

Your role is to listen, ask them questions, join the discussion and vote for the proposal you find most convincing.

“Wicked problems” are difficult social challenges with no simple solution. Examples include health and social inequalities, the energy crisis and drug policy reform in Scotland. Social science research plays an important role in understanding these issues and identifying potential ways forward.

During the event, PhD students will share the one policy they believe can tackle a “wicked problem”. By presenting a short elevator pitch, students will highlight one major societal problem, a proposed policy, and what their research findings say about addressing the issue. You will then have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss the ideas presented, and vote for the policy you find most persuasive in making that change.

No preparation is required. Simply come along, listen to the pitches, take part in the discussion if you wish and cast your vote for the idea you think could make one big change! Voting will be available in both paper and digital formats. Remember, your vote matters!

Important points to note

This event is suitable for age 16+

Event format: This event is a talk and will involve some speakers sharing talking followed by a Q&A. There may be some interactive parts of the event but you can just sit back and enjoy listening.

Content warning: This event will reference real-world problems studied by the speakers including child-birth stories, the energy crisis and drug reform. Examples and stories of these may be used in the talk.

Filming: Photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed.

COLLABORATOR

The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science

The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science is a national PhD programme that funds, supports and trains PhD students across Scotland in next-generation social research. Focused on social science excellence, SGSSS equips PhD graduates to develop into future research leaders on the national and global stage.

SGSSS funding and training is organised around a set of key societal challenges. These challenges develop capacity for interdisciplinary connections within the social sciences and represent the kinds of challenges social science research can address in policy, industry and third sector work. The pathways reflect the themes of the Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 5 − Sunday 13 September 2026!

Curious is Scotland’s annual festival of knowledge. Across its seven-year history, Curious has welcomed over 10,000 attendees into its yearly programme of talks, workshops, discussions and exhibitions – all covering different topics and subject areas. There’s no need for you to have any prior specialist knowledge before coming along, just bring your curious self! With plenty of events both in person and online, you can take part from anywhere.

You can check out the full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact curious@theRSE.org.uk. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website.

Step-free access: Ramped access for visitors is available via 26 George Street through Lakeland. Upon arrival, please call 0131 240 5000 and a member of staff will meet you and guide you to the event. Please note that the entrance ramp has a steep gradient (1:12).

Smaller lift: This event is on the first floor and the lift’s door has a width of 69cm and a depth of 104cm. This may not be suitable for some wheelchairs. You can find further details and images of the lift on our website.

Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on curious@therse.org.uk.

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Please note that any personal data that is submitted to the RSE will be stored and processed in accordance with the RSE’s Privacy Policy. We will only use mobile numbers provided to contact you in the event of a cancellation.

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