Scottish Connections (diaspora) work: qualitative research

Appendix 1: Topic Guide for Interviews with Scottish Diaspora Organisations/Individuals (including Global Scots)

Subject Areas to inform questions:

Current Diaspora Policy

Awareness of current diaspora policy (Economic/Cultural/Political/Etc)

Organisational input to policy

Their envisaged role for diaspora

Events and Activities in Homeland/Resident Location

Engaging with the Scottish Government

Role of engagement

Forms of engagement (Formal bodies? Organisational links?)

Factors driving engagement (Economic/Cultural/Political/Etc)

The 'one' suggestion/advice

Researcher Introduction

Thank you for agreeing to the interview today, it is very much appreciated. I am Murray Leith/Duncan Sim. As you know we have been asked to conduct research into the subject of a successful diaspora engagement strategy to help inform future options for Scotland's diaspora engagement. As you may remember from the participant information sheet, all information is confidential and anonymous. Any identifiable comments will only be mentioned or used if you agree. You will have the opportunity to review a transcript of this interview and will be able to indicate if there is any information you wish us not to use in our research in any fashion.

I would now like to ask some questions about how your organisation/government department engages with the Scottish diaspora.

Are you aware of the Scottish Government's engagement with the diaspora?

(If interviewee mentions specific areas – follow up with prompts)

(See if the interviewee focuses on cultural, historical, economic, or other factors are in play – if/if not possibly prompt on these, bearing in mind the organisation in question)

What do you see as the principal drive for engagement with the Homeland/Scottish Government?

How effective do you think the Scottish Government's engagement with the diaspora is?

Which Homeland organisations or government units do you regularly engage with?

What kind of individuals from within these organisations do you engage with (organisational leads? Elected officials?)

Does your organisation organise events in the Homeland or where you are located? If so, what kind of events and how often?

What do you see as the most important factors (social, cultural, economic?) in how Scotland engages with you? (And other diaspora organisation)?

What would you additionally seek from Scotland?

One final question – if you could give only one key suggestion/point of advice about diaspora policy/engaging with the Scottish diaspora, what would it be?

Thank you (ensure you finish by asking) Is there anything you want to say that you have not had a chance to say?"

Researcher Conclusion

Thank you for your time and input today – it has been very valuable and as I said, it is very much appreciated. As I mentioned previously, you will have the opportunity to review a transcript of this interview and will be able to indicate if there is any information you wish us not to use in our research in any fashion. Please do feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions whatsoever.

Close and end session.