DEMOS

The UK’s population is ageing, and projections suggest that Scotland will feel the effects of this demographic change more rapidly than anywhere else. Yet at the same time as we prepare for a greying workforce, the vibrancy of stocks and flows of human capital are increasingly recognised as the key to national, regional and inter-urban competition. In addition to those individuals capable of filling recognised skills shortages, particularly sought after are those talented individuals that are able to inspire new growth opportunities.

Demos are working with Scottish Enterprise to investigate what role place plays in the attraction of ‘talent’ to Scottish cities.  What motivates talented people to relocate? How are flows of human capital changing? How do the qualities of place – be they physical, institutional, economic, social or cultural – affect migrant decision-making processes? What can Scottish cities do to ensure they attract the kind of talent they need?

We may live in a society of networks and digital communication, but quality of place still matters. It has an important impact on where people choose to live and work. In his work on the ‘creative class’ Richard Florida emphasises going above and beyond physical assets and large urban development projects to focus on social tolerance and diversity.  This is a step in the right direction. But what other aspects of place are important to ‘talent’? What are the biggest influences on different individuals in decisions about where to move or stay? How can aspects of place enable individuals to fulfil their potential? What should policy makers prioritise in their efforts to attract talent to certain locations? 

The first stage of the project, from April 2007 reviews existing literature in this field, clarifying the difficulties in defining both ‘place’ and ‘talent,’ and building a conceptual understanding of the dynamic relationships between them.  Through interviewing relevant experts and analysing existing evidence, it will also outline a profile of four Scottish city regions – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow – identifying key industrial sectors, locating talent shortages and auditing place-attributes. 

The second stage of the project, in conjunction with Spiral is a series of in depth qualitative research interviews and focus groups with talent. In addition to talking to talented incomers to Scotland, we will interview ‘lost Scots’ and potential migrants to Scotland. Policy tends to refer to migration in black and white binaries – push and pull factors, temporary and permanent migrants, skilled and non-skilled migrants. But this gives us nowhere near deep enough an understanding of the effect of cities on mobility, and of the complex stories of migrants themselves. This research will go some way to remedying that.

The third stage will draw together all evidence to create a comprehensive picture of the place assets of our four chosen city regions and how they compare individually and collectively as a national network to peer cities in other countries. This will be used to create a set of practical recommendations for policy makers about how to influence talent flows through place initiatives. The research will culminate with a written report in autumn 2007.