Partnerships

We have a number of partnerships with organisations from across the world that contribute to our work. Read about some of these below.

Oxfam partnership

The UWS-Oxfam Partnership is an innovative model of research and knowledge exchange between the University of the West of Scotland and Oxfam Scotland.

The Partnership was launched in 2012 after years of successful collaborations between the University and Oxfam Scotland. The development of Oxfam’s UK Poverty Programme in Scotland and its Our Economy report, with input from UWS researchers, were significant milestones for the establishment of the Partnership.

The Partnership continues to bring together academic expertise from UWS and the social justice and anti-poverty campaigning strengths of Oxfam Scotland and seeks to collaborate with civil society organisations to conduct research to inform policy. Its activities seek to promote a more equitable and sustainable Scotland. The Partnership’s work is closely aligned with supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals), SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Inclusive Growth and Decent Work) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Under the umbrella of the Partnership, the impact of public policies on equality, sustainability and poverty in Scotland have been critically examined. The overarching aim of the Partnership’s diverse activities has been to inform the public debate about the future of Scotland.

The Partnership’s agenda is led by its Policy Forum which regularly invites stakeholders to discuss and challenge existing ideas and policies. These discussions also feed into Oxfam Scotland’s work.

Over the past years, the Partnership has created opportunities for UWS students to work and volunteer with Oxfam Scotland and a wide range of civil society organisations.

Vision Schools Scotland

Launched in 2017, Vision Schools Scotland is delivered by the School of Education and Social Sciences at UWS, in partnership with the Holocaust Educational Trust.

Its aims are to create a national schools’ network of good practice in Holocaust education and to support primary and secondary teachers in their teaching and learning about the Holocaust through accrediting schools, sharing good practice and developing professional learning opportunities.

A Vision School is a school committed to the view that learning about the Holocaust is a vital part of young people’s education. To become a Vision School, schools demonstrate a sustainable commitment to the importance of Holocaust education and to continued professional development in the Holocaust and its related issues. There are currently 30 Vision Schools in Scotland.

Vision Schools Scotland supports the promotion of the UN SDGs, particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; SDG 4: Quality Education; and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals; and promotes, respects, and protects the rights of children and young people in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).