FOR readers unfamiliar with my work, I first became involved in the Scottish constitutional debate upon hearing in 2012 that there would be an independence referendum. My first thought was: Scots will need to develop a modern written constitution to upgrade from the feudal UK uncodified constitution. From that moment on, my purpose in life has been to play a role in that process.

In addition to writing for Newsnet Scotland and work with Independence Live, I have developed a written constitution for Scotland. Based initially on Elliot Bulmer’s 2013 ‘Model Constitution for Scotland’, it has been developed through near-constant reflection, knowledge of constitutions, academic conferences, and picking colleagues’ brains about how it could be improved. My objective is to develop the world’s first empirically based constitution, developed scientifically rather than politically.

This project has been taken to a new level in recent weeks, with financial support from the Scottish Independence Foundation, and is now a wiki-based constitutional development platform in which anyone can participate at scottishconstitution.com.

READ MORE: Is Scotland ready for a codified constitution?

On December 1, I had the pleasure of co-hosting an event to launch the platform with John Drummond of the Constitutional Commission at the Pearce Institute in Govan. This is a very meaningful venue for me personally because my father’s ancestors were shipbuilders at Fairfield Shipyards in the early part of the 20th century. I have drawn on their industrious spirit in developing this constitution and legal framework according to the Clyde-built engineering ethos.

This ethos has informed the development of this web platform, which provides a key-ready constitution and governing system. It also includes a coherent framework for the development of the legal structure and institutional structure.

The initiation process and the constituent process specify exactly what will happen at each stage of the process. Once the constituent process begins, the constitution will be harmonised with the developing legal and institutional structure, and shall be definitively ratified and enacted within 18 months. You can read exact details in the links above, all of which you can help modify and fine-tune over time as events transpire.

This project is not intended to replace Scottish Government plans, but rather to complement them. We are confident that the Scottish Government has coherent plans for transitioning to independence. We can continue to develop the platform to ensure readiness for major constitutional change.

It is important to understand what an amazing historical opportunity we enjoy. We are in a context where we can develop this platform independently and deliberately, free from any government or special interest influence, using all the constitutional research, experience and technology the world has to offer. No other nation has ever been in this position.

READ MORE: Written constitution is the recipe for indy Scotland

Your formal education or degrees are irrelevant. The only qualification to participate is goodwill. Everyone has relevant experience and ideas that can make this a better governing system, and everyone is capable of learning the ropes. Technology allows us to work together even if we are not physically together.

Since all can participate on an equal basis, never before have the people most affected by the law been able to positively influence its future development. This platform enables homeless people to help develop housing law. People on benefits and the disabled can help design the new Scottish social welfare system. Labour unions can help write labour law. Doctors can help write medical law. Administrators applying UK law can impart their invaluable experience to improving new Scottish institutions. The possibilities are limitless.

We need all the collective wisdom possible to have a fully functioning independent Scottish State within less than 2 years time.

Please help.

Dr Mark McNaught is a lecturer in law and political science at the University of Rennes, France.