The Research Unit for Research Utilisation (www.ruru.ac.uk) is a research partnership between members based at the universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews. It was established in 2001 with initial funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of its investment in evidence-based policy and practice.

RURU aims to facilitate the production and use of practical knowledge that will assist in enhancing the role of evidence in public policy and public service delivery. The unit is a cross-sector resource concerned with examining and improving the utilisation of evidence in the key public policy areas of healthcare, education, criminal justice and social care. In addition to conducting research and exchange knowledge on research use and research impact, members of RURU also provides training in these areas.