Reflecting on joining a Local Policy Innovation Partnership
What is this thing called a LPIP? What does it mean to join such a partnership? These questions ran through my head when joining the Scottish LPIP, FORTH2O, in November 2025.
Bridging research and policy: FORTH2O meets SPICe
How does academic research actually reach the people making decisions at Holyrood? It’s a question that sits at the heart of what FORTH2O is trying to do, and one we’ve been exploring directly with some of those who enable this.
Consultancy Opportunities: FORTH2O Place-Based Studies
FORTH2O is seeking consultants for two exciting place-based research and engagement commissions starting in August 2026.
‘Moments of making’: Jess Holdengarde on her upcoming film
Midway through the production of her FORTH2O-funded artist moving image project, Jess Holdengarde discusses the multiple properties of water, analogue processes and slowness, and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange and policy innovation.
Lyne Burn Voices: what a community think about a burn getting its wiggle back
I’ll be honest, when I first visited the Lyne Burn corridor in Dunfermline, I saw it through a professional eye with no familiarity or belonging to the place. My focus went straight to a sign that…
Call for Lead Artist – FORTH2O Water Story Map & Water Futures Workshops
Recruitment process: this is a targeted call. Interested artists are invited to submit a CV and short covering letter as a single document. Submissions should be sent to forth2o@stir.ac.uk by Friday 15 May.
Staying Afloat or Sinking? Water Policy in the 2026 Scottish Election
With the upcoming Scottish Election on 7 May 2026, let’s take a brief look to see where water policy fits in the political agenda of the six main political parties. Despite water being one of Scotland’s most important natural assets, other issues such as the NHS and the cost-of-living have taken precedence in the pre-election campaigns and debates.
Why we need buyers’ clubs for nature-based water outcomes
A new project in the River Almond catchment is asking a simple but important question: if nature-based solutions can reduce flood risk, improve water quality and protect infrastructure at the same time, why do we still struggle to organise funding for them?
Business Opportunities for a Water-Resilient Future in the Forth Region
The FORTH2O Business & Industry Core Team are exploring how sustainable water use can unlock new business opportunities across the Forth region. Through a series of structured discussions in 2025, the team identified key areas where innovation, local collaboration, and targeted support could make a meaningful difference.
Taking forward a new Forth ERA
In this second post revisiting our vision for FORTH2O, we reflect on early ambitions to connect social science approaches and a new datalab to the Forth-ERA project.
FORTH2O represents the pursuit of an ambitious three-step aim to: (1) connect a world leading digital observatory of the Firth of Forth’s entire water catchment (Forth Environmental Resilience Array, Forth-ERA) to (2) a new social and economic data lab, and…
A renewed vision for FORTH2O
This blog post describes developments in the FORTH2OPolicy Innovation Partnership. A change in our leadership team, coupled with a heightened focus on project delivery, prompted us to renew our vision for FORTH2O. Principal Investigator – Professor Paul Cairney – reflects on progress to date and the new direction of travel (a longer versionappears on Cairney’s website).
Emerging Business Opportunities for a Water-Resilient Future in the Forth Region
What if water could be the key to unlocking a thriving economy in the Forth region? The FORTH2O Business & Industry Core Team, part of the cross-sector FORTH2O Policy Innovation Partnership, is investigating how sustainable water use can drive innovation.
FORTH2O Commissioning Fund Launch (and Move into Airthrey Castle)
FORTH2O is delighted to announce the launch of our Commissioning Fund, an exciting new funding opportunity designed to support innovative projects in our region that address key challenges in water resource optimisation.
FORTH2O Gears Up for Phase 2 Rollout – Building on Success
As FORTH2O transitions into the next phase, the team is preparing for an ambitious rollout, with key activities set to begin in January 2025.
Making a Splash – FORTH2O Partnership Induction Event
The FORTH2O team gathered for its official Partnership Induction Event at the Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh.
Mighty Oak Trees Grow – Full £5m Funding Secured for Local Policy Innovation
The Stirling Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) is delighted to announce that its full £5 million funding proposal has been approved.
From Tiny Acorns – Seed Funding for Policy Innovation in the Forth Water Basin
The University of Stirling has received a significant boost to its research and innovation efforts with a successful bid for seed funding under the UK’s multi-million-pound Levelling Up programme.