Introduction by the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland
Science and innovation are increasingly important for our economic competitveness and growth. This principle is firmly established in our policy documents, " A Science Strategy for Scotland", "A Smart, Successful Scotland" and the "Framework for Economic Development for Scotland".
Science graduates feed into the labour market in a number of important ways. For example, they may be professsionals in the health service, they may work in R&D intensive businesses, or as researchers and teachers in our institutions.
In more general terms, it is essential that we encourage young people to participate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM) subjects in order to build a society which is receptive and responsive to science. In regarding the future, individuals must be able to engage confidently and competently with technological development in order to keep pace with the social and cultural implications of changes and to fully exploit them.
I hope this report provides a useful source of baseline data on science students and their prospects in the economy.
Professor Anne Glover FRSE, FAAM
Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland