Today we’ve published the method paper from our citizens’ jury on higher education funding, marking the first step in sharing the jury’s findings publicly.

The paper sets out why we convened the jury, how the deliberative process was designed and delivered, and the questions that guided the process. It highlights the value of bringing deliberation and civic voice into questions that are often dominated by institutional perspectives.

Publishing the method paper now prepares the ground for the jury’s findings, which will be released in a series of thematic papers throughout March and April. These upcoming papers will explore the public’s views across four major themes: purpose and value, equity and access, pathways, and universities.

This work takes place against a backdrop of significant pressures on Scotland’s higher education system, with institutions and policymakers facing difficult choices about long‑term sustainability, funding models and the future shape of provision.

Conducted between October and December 2025, the Jury was designed and facilitated by Ipsos. It is the second phase of a wider project to understand the views of the Scottish public on higher education and their priorities for public spending.

Our previous survey research, also carried out by Ipsos, demonstrated both the strength and complexity of public opinion on higher education — the first such research undertaken in Scotland in many years. The citizens’ jury has enabled us to explore these perspectives in greater depth.

The findings papers will be published on our website in the coming weeks.

Any questions should be directed to communications@carnegie-trust.org

Download the Research Paper