Academic research
Independent experts have been commissioned by the Inquiry to carry out academic research into the areas of investigation in its Terms of Reference, which will help to inform its work.
The Inquiry published scoping research in June 2022, which covered the period under investigation from January 2020 to April 2022. Further research was then commissioned to cover the entire period the Inquiry is investigating, up to 31 December 2022, as well as additional areas identified as important.
The research commissioned to date provides overviews corresponding to aspects of the devolved strategic response to the COVID-19 pandemic in areas within the Inquiry’s four investigative portfolios. These are:
- public sector response;
- financial and welfare support to businesses and individuals;
- the provision of health and social care services; and
- education, certification, impact on children and young people.
The reports provide multiple academic perspectives, as well as a variety of methodologies and expertise.
Disclaimer
The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is an independent body and is conducting its own investigations to fulfil its Terms of Reference. The published academic research contains the views of those who wrote it. Nothing in the research is binding on the Inquiry. The research is one of many sources of evidence which will be considered by the Inquiry.
The reports from the introductory academic research can be found below.
Jump to:
Portfolio 1 – Public Sector Response
- Introductory research (published June 2022)
- Additional research (published October 2023)
- Further research (published April 2024)
Portfolio 2 – Financial and Welfare support to businesses and individuals
Portfolio 3 – The Provision of Health and Social Care Services
Portfolio 4 - The delivery of education and certification, impact on children and young people
Portfolio 1 – Public Sector Response
Introductory research
The below scoping research was published in June 2022 and covers the period under investigation up to April 2022.
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 1 Pandemic Preparedness
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 1 Pandemic Preparedness – Accessible version
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 2 Lockdown and Restrictions
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 2 Lockdown and Restrictions – Accessible version
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 3 Testing
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 3 Testing – Accessible version
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 4 Vaccination
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 4 Vaccination – Accessible version
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 5 PPE
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 5 PPE – Accessible version
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 6 Shielding and Assistance
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – 6 Shielding and Assistance – Accessible version
Additional research
Further research was commissioned and published in October 2023. This covers the entire period the Inquiry is investigating, up to 31 December 2022, as well as any additional areas identified as important.
McQuillan et al. – UNCOVER – Update covering period 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022
Further research
The most recent research commissioned by the Inquiry was published in April 2024. These cover the entire period the Inquiry is investigating, up to 31 December 2022, as well as some additional areas specified by the investigations team.
Portfolio 2 – Financial and Welfare support to businesses and individuals
Introductory research
The below scoping research was published in June 2022 and covers the period under investigation up to April 2022.
Greene – University of Edinburgh – Financial and Welfare Support
Greene – University of Edinburgh – Financial and Welfare Support – Accessible version
Arshed and Knox – University of Dundee – Financial and Welfare Support
Arshed and Knox – University of Dundee – Financial and Welfare Support – Accessible version
Portfolio 3 – The Provision of Health and Social Care Services
Introductory research
The below scoping research was published in June 2022 and covers the period under investigation up to April 2022.
McKay et al. – Edinburgh Napier University – Health and Social Care
McKay et al. – Edinburgh Napier University – Health and Social Care – Accessible version
McHale – University of Birmingham – Health and Social Care
McHale – University of Birmingham – Health and Social Care – Accessible version
Farrell and Frowde – University of Edinburgh – The Provision of Health and Social Care Services
Burton - University of Glasgow - The Provision of Health and Social Care Services
Additional research
Further research was commissioned and published in October 2023. This covers the entire period the Inquiry is investigating, up to 31 December 2022, as well as any additional areas identified as important.
Portfolio 4 - The delivery of education and certification, impact on children and young people
Introductory research
The below scoping research was published in June 2022 and covers the period under investigation up to April 2022.
McCluskey et al. – University of Edinburgh – The Delivery of Education and Certification
Further research
The most recent research commissioned by the Inquiry was published in April 2024. These cover the entire period the Inquiry is investigating, up to 31 December 2022, as well as some additional areas specified by the investigations team.