Two of the most pressing questions facing Scotland – who participates in democracy and how women and girls are kept safe within sporting spaces are the subject of funding from the Royal Society of Edinburgh to University of the West of Scotland academics.

The awards, part of the RSE’s 2025 Autumn Research Awards programme, recognise work led by academics and will support research into migrant civic participation and trauma-informed safeguarding in martial arts.

·      Dr Emilia Pietka-Nykaza has been awarded an RSE Small Research Grant of £4,986 to examine the voting and non-voting behaviours of non-UK citizen residents in Scotland. The research will explore how migrant communities engage with democratic processes, the barriers they face and the social and political factors shaping civic participation. The project aims to generate new insights into representation and inclusion in Scottish public life, contributing to debates on democracy and inclusion.

·      Dr Chloe Maclean has received an RSE Research Collaboration Grant of £9,481 for a project with Dr Fabiana Turelli of the University of Winnipeg, Canada, to co-create trauma-informed safeguarding practices for coaching women and girls in martial arts. Working directly with women who have experienced gender-based violence, the research will develop practical guidance for coaches aimed at creating safer, more supportive training environments.

 

Democratic participation is central to building inclusive societies, yet many residents who are eligible to engage in civic life still face barriers that are not fully understood. This project will work closely with communities to explore lived experiences of participation and non-participation, helping to inform policies and practices across Scotland.

Dr Emilia Pietka-Nykaza

 

Women and girls’ experiences in sport are shaped not only by coaching practice, but by wider cultures of safety and trust. By working together with practitioners and participants, we hope to develop trauma-informed safeguarding approaches that are grounded in lived experience that can make a meaningful difference within martial arts and beyond.

Dr Chloe Maclean

 

Together, the funded projects reflect UWS’s commitment to research that addresses real-world challenges – from strengthening democratic engagement to improving safeguarding in community and sporting contexts.

Professor Colin Clark, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the School of Education and Social Sciences at UWS, said: “These awards highlight the strength and social impact of research taking place across the School.

“From democratic engagement to safeguarding and wellbeing, our researchers are addressing issues that matter to communities across Scotland and beyond. It’s fantastic to see their work recognised and supported by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.”

The Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Awards programme supports innovative research projects and collaborations that deliver meaningful benefits for society, culture and public life.

 

These projects contribute to a number of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, notably Goal 5 (Gender Equality), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).