SRUC commissions study on growth opportunities in Fife
A world-renowned academic is to lead an independent study into future economic growth opportunities for SRUC in North-East Fife, including its Elmwood Campus.
Sir Ian Boyd, the former UK Chief Scientific Advisor at Defra who holds a professorship at the University of St Andrews, will explore how – over the next ten years – SRUC can harness local and national strengths to maximise economic impact, innovation, skills development, and community benefit in and around Cupar and the wider region.
The study will involve extensive consultation with stakeholders, including staff, students, the local community, elected representatives, local authorities, colleges and universities, research institutes and key businesses connected to the natural economy and golf sector. It will report formally to SRUC by 31 March 2026, with findings to be shared publicly alongside SRUC’s response after its Board has met in June.
The study will take a strategic, evidence-based approach, examining:
- National and regional context, including economic development priorities for Fife and north-east Fife, and alignment with wider initiatives such as City Deals and regional growth plans.
- Academic and research opportunities, assessing future teaching, learning and research directions, including opportunities linked to golf, horticulture, soils, sustainability, food systems and health.
- Commercial and financial options, ranging from organic growth to larger-scale partnership-led investment models.
- Use of existing assets, including SRUC’s estate and facilities, alongside the wider higher and further education landscape across Fife, Dundee and St Andrews.
- Funding and investment opportunities, including public funding, private investment, philanthropy and commercial partnerships.
- Risks and resilience, ensuring options are viable within SRUC’s financial and operating environment.
Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of SRUC, said: “Our Elmwood Campus in Cupar is an important part of our future plans, and we have recently announced a BSc in Sustainable Golf Management – the first ever degree course at the campus. It is important that, alongside such initiatives, we also fully explore future growth opportunities in the region that will benefit not only SRUC, but the local community. We are very grateful to Professor Sir Ian Boyd for undertaking this vital study. We look forward to seeing his findings, which will present clear, evidence-based options to support sustainable economic growth, job creation and community benefit, aligned with our strategy and the long-term prosperity of the region.”
Professor Boyd, who is President of the Royal Society Biology, Board member of UKRI and co-chairs with the First Minister and the First Miniter’s Environment Council said: “Having lived and worked in North-East Fife for 25 years, I have considerable personal knowledge of its communities and environment. SRUC is an important Scottish institution and its Elmwood Campus in Cupar presents opportunities for development which could benefit the local community while also extending SRUC’s national and international profile. These opportunities are offset by many challenges and I hope my experiences working as an academic in a Scottish university, a researcher within the public sector, in business and within government can help SRUC to meet those challenges and build support around a vision for SRUC’s future at Elmwood. I am looking forward to learning what others think needs to be done.”
The new degree in Sustainable Golf Management responds directly to growing societal, environmental, and economic pressures facing the global golf sector.
As participation patterns evolve and challenges related to climate, land use, and skills intensify, the programme aims to equip future golf leaders. Students will gain expertise to manage courses, facilities, and businesses sustainably, responsibly, and profitably.
Delivered at Elmwood via distance learning, the course integrates sustainability science, land management, business, tourism and social responsibility. This reflects the need for consistent, future-focused learning across the global golf industry while also generating tangible local benefits such as skills development, employment opportunities and stronger links with Scotland’s renowned golf sector.
To find out more about the study or to get involved, email fifegrowthstudy@sruc.ac.uk
Posted by SRUC on 13/01/2026
