Hello Political Institute members and friends, 

PIAR’s second semester as a society has begun, and our research teams are hard at work on two very important issues: Affordability of Housing and Inclusivity in Higher Education. Our Head Researchers, Kyra White and Anna Pilgrim, are leading these teams. The Affordable Housing team is researching all aspects of the “housing crisis” affecting St Andrews and the surrounding areas and universities, and is investigating how this issue goes far beyond just housing. This team is also considering the variety of actors, private, public, and associated with the university, who impact the pricing of accommodation in the town. 

Our Inclusivity in Higher Education team is working in collaboration with the Wilberforce Society at the University of Cambridge to research how people from different economic backgrounds are included (or not included) in life at St Andrews and Cambridge, respectively. Our research team is working with data from St Andrews, while the Wilberforce team is considering the situation at Cambridge. Expect a joint report of our findings at the end of the semester. 

The committee is still hard at work planning speaker events, joint events with other societies, and social opportunities for our members. Our latest event with Prof. Stephen Gethins was well attended and offered our committee and researchers insight into the work of parliaments and policy makers.