Part of ‘Elections 2026 and Scotland’s Global Reach’ event, held in Glasgow in February 2026, in conversation with Nicola Sturgeon. Themes discussed at the event resonate strongly with current debates around fair access to higher education for displaced applicants. Discussions highlighted how language assessment systems can either facilitate or restrict educational opportunity in contexts shaped by geopolitical instability, forced migration, and widening inequalities. This connects directly to our project’s focus on university stakeholder perceptions of English language proficiency testing, particularly the extent to which conventional testing models may disadvantage displaced students through cost, geography, documentation requirements, and limited test-centre access. In the Scottish context, these discussions intersect with ongoing sector-wide concerns around widening access, internationalisation, and the ethical responsibilities of universities toward refugee and displaced communities.