Events and workshops

Q-Step runs talks, workshops and events exploring data, quantitative methods and computational social science. Our programme brings together students, researchers and external partners to look at how data can help us understand politics, policy and society.

Events include research seminars, student workshops, careers and skills sessions, and activities for schools. We welcome contributions from PhD students, early career researchers and colleagues across the University.

Young people following different pathways towards future opportunities in Scotland

12 October 2026, 1:00pm

Understanding the aspiration-realisation gap in Scotland

Q-Step Research Seminar Series: Hannah Glover examines post-school aspirations and outcomes among young people in Scotland.

A narrative journey becoming a financial market chart and an IPO opening

26 October 2026, 1:00pm

How Much Story Is Enough? Prospectus Storytelling and IPO First-Day Returns

Q-Step Research Seminar Series: Adam Chalmers explores how prospectus storytelling relates to IPO first-day returns.

28 October 2026, 1:00pm

Policy Hackathon: A Q-Step Student Challenge

What would you do with £500,000 to tackle a real policy problem — and could you prove your case with data?

Work and family activities arranged around a clock to represent multitasking and time use

09 November 2026, 1:00pm

Who is multitasking more? Gender-and-class differences in work-family time use

Q-Step Research Seminar Series: Runjie Sui examines gender and class differences in work-family time use.

12 November 2026, 4:00pm

Q-Step Placement Showcase 2026

Fourth-year students share real placement projects and how they used data and quantitative skills beyond the classroom.

Parental economic support flowing along different pathways to two siblings

23 November 2026, 1:00pm

Sibling correlations in the receipt of parental economic support

Q-Step Research Seminar Series: Ginevra Floridi examines sibling patterns in parental economic support.