A GROUP of leading constitutional lawyers have formed a group to provide "rational and non-partisan" information to voters in the run-up to the 2014 referendum.
Experts from five universities will examine key issues including defence, currency and membership of the European Union over the coming two years.
A series of public seminars and workshops, starting with a debate about devo max and devo plus at Glasgow University in November, will be organised and the academics will provide an updated commentary on the independence debate on a blog.
Other areas they plan to study include the possible constitution of an independent Scotland.
The new group, formally launched today and called the Scottish Constitutional Futures Forum, is a joint initiative by the law schools at Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Strathclyde universities.
The founding members of the forum are Professor Paul Beaumont, Aberdeen; Professor Aileen McHarg, Strathclyde; Professor Alan Page, Dundee; Professor Tom Mullen, Glasgow; and Professors Christine Bell, Stephen Tierney and Neil Walker, all of Edinburgh University.
In a joint statement they said: "We have a unique opportunity to debate and decide Scotland's constitutional future in a manner that is inclusive, well-informed and open-minded.
"But for this to happen we need to ensure the circulation of information and the discussion of ideas is not confined to the official campaigns and their party political backers. Our forum plans to contribute to this wider process."
Mr Mullen added: "It is crucial the people of Scotland are able to make an informed choice about how they will be governed in future.
"There is a real need for a forum in which information can be provided and the key constitutional and legal issues can be discussed free from party politics. The SCFF will meet that need."
Mr Walker said: "It is important universities bring their particular resources and knowledge to bear on this crucial issue that, whatever the result, will dominate and shape the politics of Scotland's future for some time to come."
Its site is here
Meanwhile, a campaign which aims to encourage women to vote for independence was launched yesterday.
Women for Independence has the backing of former Scottish Socialist Party MSPs Rosie Kane and Carolyn Leckie, as well as children's author Lari Don.
The new group will work alongside the official Yes Scotland campaign, which has been set up to encourage people to vote in favour of independence in the 2014 referendum.
Backer Jeane Freeman, who was chief of staff to Jack McConnell when he was Labour first minister, said: "I want women to be front and central in this debate.
"I want to hear what women up and down the country have to say."
Women for Independence wants to appeal to females of all backgrounds and ages, whether they are members of political parties or not.
Ms Leckie said: "I love that we intend to reach out to all women, stretching over pre-existing boundaries of parties, geography, social group, identities."
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