OU leads research on Scotland’s Fair Access landscape

A team of researchers from The Open University (OU) has been appointed to lead a new national project mapping Scotland’s Fair Access landscape, following a competitive selection process by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland (CTUS) and The Robertson Trust.

Bringing together expertise in widening access, educational data, and evidence-based policy, the OU research team will create a comprehensive picture of current access and participation activity across Scotland. The project, co-funded by CTUS and The Robertson Trust, will result in a dynamic online resource designed to make data on fair access more transparent, accessible and up to date.

Project lead, Jo Lambert, from the OU’s Law School, said, “We’re delighted to be leading this collaborative work to map and understand the fair access landscape in Scotland. The project represents a unique opportunity to connect data, policy and practice in ways that strengthen collective understanding and action. Our aim is to create a resource that supports everyone working to remove barriers and widen participation in higher education.”

The project builds on the OU’s longstanding commitment to inclusive education and its reputation for research excellence in widening participation and social justice. With a rich history of supporting learners from all backgrounds to achieve their potential, the OU brings a unique and data-driven perspective to this work.

By providing a clear and comprehensive view of Scotland’s access initiatives, the project aims to enhance the evidence base for higher education policy and funding decisions, and to inform strategic efforts that improve opportunities for underrepresented learners.

Hannah Garrow, Chief Executive at CTUS, said, “We’re thrilled to be working with the OU on this exciting new project. We know there is a wealth of activity in Scotland to widen participation in higher education, but the lack of a complete national picture is holding us back. The project, and the digital resource that it will produce, should give funders, researchers, practitioners and policymakers in Scotland a baseline from which to assess progress, identify gaps and work collectively to ensure talented learners of all backgrounds are supported to achieve their potential.”

Work on the project will begin this month (October 2025), with completion expected by Autumn 2026.