Deborah Menezes is an academic with vast international scholarship and expertise in both the theory and practice of knowledge mobilisation, knowledge exchange, research design approaches and co-production of knowledge. 

Deborah recently Co-Led Social Action Inquiry Scotland, which involved co-storytelling with 17 different communities in Scotland.

Deboarh is leading the production of a practical guide on using storytelling for community-led change.

Megan Arthur is an interdisciplinary qualitative researcher working at the intersection of social policy and public health. 

Her research investigates governance and policymaking at multiple levels that shape the social and environmental determinants of health equity, including in food, climate, and health policy domains, and how these are mediated by political, economic, and commercial environments.

Megan is leading a research project for SPRE which looks at SPRE’s 2024-25 programme of events and the collective learning from our community on policy engagement and impact.

Leah Lockhart is a cross-disciplinary person with experience in learning and evaluation, community engagement, facilitation, service design, and user research. 

Leah is an anti-oppressive practitioner means they pay special attention to power, how the systems we work in create and uphold inequities, and how research or design can be used as tools for solidarity and destabilising oppressive systems. 

Leah is leading SPRE’s Community of Practice sessions this autumn, focused on Reflective Practice.

Jamie Stein MISTD is a freelance designer and educator with nearly two decades in the creative sector.

Founder of Stein Design, Freelance Educator at V&A Dundee, and part-time Graphic Design Tutor at the University of Dundee, he leads co-design and branding projects across ethical, tech and community sectors.

Guided by his mantra “Let’s design positive things”, Jamie champions inclusive design education and is currently collaborating with SPRE on developing and designing a storytelling resource.

Briana Pegado FRSA is a governance and anti-oppression consultant based in Edinburgh. She is the founder of Good Trouble Co., an organisation that specialises in disruptive leadership, organisational development and strategic interventions for companies and organisations exploring values-led work. She is an award-winning social entrepreneur, activist, and author with nearly a decade’s experience as a senior manager in Scotland’s creative industries and third sector.

Briana was recently appointed Chair of the Scottish Government’s Independent Culture Fair Work Task Force, appointed by the Cabinet Minister for Culture Mr Angus Robertson to chair a task force to create recommendations for and design a Fair Work Charter for the entire cultural sector and creative industries in Scotland in line with the Scottish Government’s ambition to be a Fair Work Nation by 2030.

Briana has served on multiple boards and as an advisor to organisations ranging from the University of York’s Governing Council and the University of Edinburgh’s University Court to Edinburgh Students’ Charities Appeal (ESCA). She is also a data-driven innovation ambassador for the Edinburgh Futures Institute.  

Briana published her first book, Make Good Trouble: A Guide to the Energetics of Disruption, with Watkins Publishing in April 2024. 

Briana is supporting SPRE with a development programme for the Board of Trustees to ensure we are values-aligned in our governance structures.

Yarrow is a web designer and tech consultant based in Fife who supports us with communication, design and website development. They have over a decade of experience in developing sustainable digital strategies and love supporting freelancers, organisations and small businesses in aligning their values with their systems.

Yarrow also supported our recent zine launch workshop and hosts a podcast called the Kind Business show all about slow marketing, the magic of automation and introvert-friendly community building, which you can listen to over here.

Unity Consulting is made up of Neil Findlay, Michael Sharpe and Tommy Kane. 

The team have 30 years experience in the frontline of local and national politics, and combine academic research, policy development and strategic campaign planning to provide expert support and advice for driving change. 

Unity Consulting are leading direct policy engagement based on Social Action Inquiry Scotland and sharing the process with SPRE and our co-funders The Binks Hub.