Stimulating Scotland’s rural economy

Published On Fri 2 May 2014 by Roddy Isles

How can design help boost Scotland’s rural economy? Business, communities and the public across the country are being invited to give their views and hear from some of the country’s leading experts at a Design In Action event at the University of Dundee next week.

Rural Scope: Rural Stimulation takes place at the University on Tuesday May 6th. The day will explore and exchange knowledge starting with a series of talks from international speakers including researchers from dot.rural (RCUK Digital Economy), the University’s Centre for Environmental Change and Human Resilience, and Mission Models Money, as well as hearing from policy, business and third sector organisations.

The event will then focus on new, fresh areas of opportunity with the potential to make a difference to individuals, SMEs and communities in the rural landscape.

Mel Woods, Co-Investigator for Design in Action, said, “Design in Action has already carried out a lot of strong research into how design can help make a difference to individuals, SMEs and communities within the rural economy but it is also vital that we get good input from those on the ground in these communities about what it is like, particularly for businesses.

“We are scoping out what the key areas are that future funding may be directed at, so this is a chance for people invested in those communities to give us their insight.

“This event is for people with a particular interest in rural issues, whether they are from a design, technology, business, policy and third sector or from living and working in a rural community.”  

Places are free but limited, and can be booked at: ruralstimulation.eventbrite.com.

You can find out more about Design in Action here: www.designinaction.com

Design in Action is a Knowledge Exchange Hub funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Based within Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the University of Dundee, the project is closely-partnered with The Glasgow School of Art; Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh), Gray’s School of Art (Robert Gordon University) and the Universities of St Andrews and Abertay Dundee.

For more information contact:
Roddy Isles
Head of Press
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN.
TEL: 01382 384910
MOBILE: 07800 581902
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk