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About Us

Supporting research-policy relationships

The Scottish Policy and Research Exchange works with research, knowledge mobilisation and policy communities to improve how evidence and expertise shapes policy. Join our Brokerage network to access opportunities for relationship building, research-policy engagement, and shared learning.

We have recently re-launched as an independent charity (SCIO), recruited a new Board of Trustees and shifted to a Co-Director model of leadership. We’ve also re-imagined our approach to supporting the needs of the Scottish research-policy landscape, by placing values, equity, learning and improvement at the root of everything we do, as we grow into a new organisation.

Who We Are

Staff

Dave Blackbell (formerly Bell)

Co-Director


Dave is a knowledge mobilisation specialist. He has a PhD in climate science and 10 years professional experience in environmental policy, policy-relevant climate mitigation research and leading on knowledge mobilisation activities for multi-year, multi-£million, multi-disciplinary and impact-focused research programmes.

Dave’s leadership at SPRE centres around how to support capacities for more ethical, equitable and effective systems and practices. He is particularly interested in how to applying insights from intersectionality, participatory action research and complexity-aware impact monitoring, evaluation and learning.

Dave also leads on knowledge mobilisation for a 7-year £3.7m research unit on the long-term economics of health and social care supply.

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Staff

Catherine-Rose Stocks-Rankin

Co-Director (starting end January 2024)


Catherine-Rose is a researcher and knowledge mobiliser with 15 years’ experience across community development, social work, social care, public health, primary and secondary care. She holds a PhD in Social Policy from the University of Edinburgh and specialises in participatory approaches to research design and systems leadership. She also has specialist expertise in monitoring and evaluation for learning (specifically developmental evaluation and contribution analysis).

Her leadership and methods create a bridge between different kinds of knowledge, with a focus on blending lived experience, practice wisdom, policy know-how, and research evidence. She is also the Co-Chair for the Social Action Inquiry for Scotland, which focuses on what helps and hinders community-led change.

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Board of Trustees

Linsey Dickson

Chair


Linsey works as Director of Research Services at the University of Stirling.

Board of Trustees

Dr Andrea Tonner

Trustee


Andrea works as Senior Lecturer at the University of Strathclyde

Board of Trustees

Dr Clare Taylor

Trustee


Clare works as a Senior Lecturer Medical Microbiology & Head of Equality and Inclusion, at the School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University.

Board of Trustees

Freya Collier-Sewell

Trustee


Freya works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and PhD Researcher at Sheffield Hallam University.

Board of Trustees

Dr Isla Kapasi

Trustee


Isla works as the Research & Analysis Manager at Zero Waste Scotland.

Board of Trustees

Jane Gordon

Trustee


Jane works as a Policy & Public Affairs Officer at Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems.

Board of Trustees

Professor Katherine Smith

Trustee


Katherine works as a Professor of Public Health Policy at University of Strathclyde.

Board of Trustees

Professor Nick Fyfe

Trustee


Nick works as Vice Principal (Research) at Robert Gordon University.

Board of Trustees

Dr Sam Staddon

Trustee


Sam works as a Senior Lecturer in Environment & Development, at the School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh.

Why We Do It

Evidence and expertise have vital roles in policy processes.

We believe that this is strengthened when diverse perspectives can learn from each other, in equitable ways.

We believe that a shift is needed across the Scottish research-policy landscape, towards more equitable and learning-focused structures and practices.

We are committed to supporting this shift.

Get involved

Ask about our training sessions

Get in touch

Use our digital tools to create your engagement strategy

Check out our digital tools section

Join our network of research and policy professionals

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