Deciding Matters
At a Glance
This document provides all the details. Here’s a summary of some of the important things:
-
We are looking for people that represent a broad range of groups across the University of Edinburgh including current students, alumni, and staff, and those in particular who have not had the opportunity to share their views.
-
You do not need to have prior knowledge of the Old College building or its artworks to participate.
-
All abilities and backgrounds are welcome.
-
You need to be able to attend a half day workshop on Wednesday 18th February, taking place in Old College, Edinburgh.
-
If selected, you will receive £30 in total as a thank you for giving up your time.
-
Lunch will be provided.
-
The deadline for applying for this full-day workshop is 9th February. You can expect to hear back from Deciding Matters on 11th February who will confirm if you have been selected.
-
Please let us know about any support you may require helping you to take part. Information on accessibility to the spaces is available at: https://www.accessable.co.uk/the-university-of-edinburgh/central-area/access-guides/old-college-south
-
If you are a staff member there are shorter workshops available only for staff being held on 27th and 28th January.
About the Project
By far the largest and most prominent displays of the University’s art collection on campus are at Old College, where approximately 100 portraits of figures connected to the University in the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries are on display. The Old College Heritage and Values Project is a multi-year programme of work dedicated to reviewing these displays in line with the inclusive values outlined in Strategy 2030.
Built at the turn of the 19th century, Old College was the University’s main campus in its time, housing everything from the library to natural history and anatomy museums. The building is often seen as a symbol of the Scottish Enlightenment due to its neoclassical architecture and the prominence of University professors associated with this period, many of whom are commemorated in its portrait displays.
The project is critically examining the artworks on display in ways that acknowledge both the lack of diversity represented in the portraiture, and the histories and contributions that are not visible in the celebrated heritage of this University building. A key part of the process involves working with staff and student groups to engage with the artworks and the histories of the site through teaching, research, creative responses and consultation.
This will be considered as part of a wider critical review of spaces in our campuses, to better reflect the people and histories associated with the University.
It will also consider the actions and ongoing commitments from the University’s Race Review published in July 2025:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/about/race-review
Spaces under review
The following rooms at Old College are being reviewed: the Playfair Library, Raeburn, Elder, Lee and Carstares rooms, as well as the staircase leading to the Playfair Library and the reception area.
Old College is also home to the Law School, Talbot Rice Art Gallery and numerous meetings rooms and staff offices but these spaces are not included in the review.
Project management and governance
The project is being overseen by an internal group, the Old College Heritage & Values Project board, with members including staff and student representatives from across the Students’ Association, Estates, Heritage Collections, Communications and Marketing, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, academic staff, and Old College users.
The project is managed by the Old College Project Curator, whose role is to create a proposal for changes to the spaces, under the guidance of the board. The purpose of the consultation is to include the voices of different stakeholder groups in the process of developing the proposal. The responses gathered at this workshop and as part of the wider consultation, will help to inform and further develop the approaches for change.
Taking Part
Deciding Matters is looking to engage approximately 30 people from across the University of Edinburgh, including students, staff, and alumni with a range of backgrounds and perspectives. We are particularly keen to hear from people and groups who are often underrepresented in decision-making and policy conversations.
All abilities and backgrounds are welcome, and no prior knowledge of the Old College building or its artworks is required.
What will I be doing if I take part?
If you are selected to take part in a workshop, you will be one of around 30 participants on the day. You will be given key information regarding Old College and have the opportunity to ask staff working on the project questions. You will then work in small groups to explore suggestions for change in more detail, sharing your insights and ideas.
There will be a range of activities on the day including discussions, opportunities for written feedback, voting, and scenarios. Each group will include a trained facilitator who will be able to support you to take part in a way you feel comfortable with.
The workshops will not be audio or video recorded. If we intend to take photographs, we will ask your permission to do so.
Workshops
The workshops will take place over two half-day sessions with drinks and snacks provided. You need to be able to attend the workshop listed below:
Wednesday 18th February, 9.30am-12.30pm, Old College, University of Edinburgh
Wednesday 18th February, 1:30pm-4.30pm, Old College, University of Edinburgh
What will happen at the end of the workshop?
Outputs from the workshops (including separate staff workshops) will be analysed together with responses to a wider consultation. This analysis will be shared with the Old College Heritage & Values Project board and the Project Curator, and will inform the development of proposals for change. Participants will be kept updated on these proposals. All personally identifying information (names, places, etc.) will be removed in any notes taken during the workshops. You will not be identifiable in published outputs.
Gift of Thanks
The gift of thanks is to recognise the valuable contribution participants are making to this process, giving up their time and sharing their insights to support ongoing work with the University of Edinburgh.
Participants who have attended a half day workshop will receive £30 gift of thanks, paid via bank transfer or in the form of a voucher.
Support
Deciding Matters aims to design workshops which are as accessible and inclusive as possible and will work with individual participants to understand their needs and what support can be put in place. Participants are asked to share any additional support needs while completing the expression of interest form and a member of the Deciding Matters team will follow up for more information.
FAQs
Do I need to know anything about the Old College building or history?
No, participants are not expected to have any prior knowledge to take part. You will be made aware of anything you need to know as part of this process.
Can I receive a gift of thanks if I am claiming benefits of any kind?
Yes, the Scottish Government has worked in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to understand the impacts of a gift of thanks on those who receive benefits. If you receive benefits, you will be given the option to receive your gift of thanks as a voucher of your choice. This option is permitted by the DWP and will not affect your benefits. If required, we can provide a letter explaining the process and the gift of thanks which can be given to your Benefits Officer.
What is a public engagement workshop?
A public engagement workshop is a session which brings together a range of people to share their insights, ideas, and concerns with regards to a particular topic. If you take part, you will be asked to join the workshop and take part in a day of activities and deliberations. Anonymised outputs will be shared with the University of Edinburgh and will be used to help shape future conversations around the Old College building, its spaces, and artworks.