Scottish agricultural students: social researchers need your views

“The women in agriculture survey work will enable us to learn more about the views and experiences of women who live or work on Scottish farms, so we can better understand the opportunities and barriers facing women in rural Scotland. I’d encourage women across Scotland to take part.

Women who are current or former students of agriculture and related courses (including agricultural economics, rural business management, equine and horse care, and large animal veterinary practice) at college or university level in Scotland are invited to complete a new online survey by the James Hutton Institute.

The study focuses on the experiences and perspectives of agriculture students, past and present, who may or may not be living on farms, crofts or smallholdings. It looks at where women go following agricultural training/education, and what factors influence their career decisions and career trajectory. The students and alumni survey will remain open until 15 November 2016 at www.hutton.ac.uk/womeninagriculture; all responses will be anonymous and will be treated confidentially.

The Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing, said: “We know that women play an integral role in our farming communities and families. But we need to understand more about that role.

“The women in agriculture survey work will enable us to learn more about the views and experiences of women who live or work on Scottish farms, so we can better understand the opportunities and barriers facing women in rural Scotland. I’d encourage women across Scotland to take part.”

Dr Lee-Ann Sutherland, Hutton research project leader, commented: “From July to the end of September this year we ran a survey of women who live and/or work on farms, crofts and smallholdings. If you have completed the first questionnaire, there is no need to fill out the student and alumni survey. We very much appreciate your help with the research.

“The two surveys form part of a Scottish Government-funded research project which seeks to identify the challenges for, and potential policy tools to improve women’s participation in farming and leadership of the agricultural sector in Scotland.”

The research, led by Professor Sally Shortall of Queen’s University Belfast, in conjunction with researchers from the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, will build a picture of women in agriculture in Scotland. The project will also provide recommendations to the Scottish Government for policy interventions that support women in the agricultural sector and optimise the economic resource of the family farm.

Women who do not live or work on farms but who contribute to the agriculture sector in other ways have been participating in the research through interviews and focus groups across Scotland. For further information about the project, or if you would like to take part in interviews or focus groups, please contact Dr Sutherland either by phone (01224 395 285) or email (lee-ann.sutherland@hutton.ac.uk).

Notes to editors:

The research is being funded by the Scottish Government Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services (RESAS).

More information from: Nicola Strachan, Communications Coordinator, James Hutton Institute, Tel: 01382 568750 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or 07786 80551 (mobile).