Staff news

University role for former MSP

Former Scottish Government Cabinet Minister Professor Susan Deacon is to take up a new post with the University.

susan deacon

The new role, Assistant Principal Corporate Engagement, will be to encourage greater collaboration between the University and policymakers, business and industry.

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An Honorary Professor at Edinburgh since 2010, Professor Deacon has worked closely with the University for a number of years on many projects.

These include advising on the development of the Academy of Government and the Edinburgh Centre on Carbon Innovation.

She has also worked with Edinburgh Research and Innovation, the University’s research and commercialisation office.

Background

An Edinburgh graduate, Professor Deacon began her career in local government, before moving into management consultancy and training.

In 1994 she became MBA Director of Programmes at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University.

She was elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament at its inception in 1999 and served in government as Scotland’s first Cabinet Minister for Health and Community Care.

Since standing down in 2007, she has undertaken a range of roles and projects, including being appointed as Professor of Social Change at Queen Margaret University - a post she held until 2010.

This is a wide-ranging and flexible remit that will strengthen the University’s relationships among key external stakeholders. Susan Deacon’s experience, which spans senior positions in academia, time as a Government Minister and leadership roles in business, industry and the charitable sector, puts her in an exceptional position to facilitate a wide range of University initiatives that address complex contemporary issues.
Professor Sir Timothy O'SheaPrincipal of the University of Edinburgh