By Ian McConnell
THE head of the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute, Graeme Roy, is leaving to join the University of Glasgow as dean of external engagement in the college of social sciences.
Mairi Spowage, deputy director of Fraser of Allander, will become interim director of the think-tank from March 1 next year, when Mr Roy takes up his new post at the University of Glasgow.
Mr Roy’s move comes hard on the heels of the University of Glasgow’s appointment of former Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Danny Blanchflower as a visiting professor.
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Mr Blanchflower, who is retaining his role as Bruce V Rauner professor of economics at Dartmouth College in the US after taking up his new post in Scotland, is joining the economics department of the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School.
Mr Roy is a University of Glasgow graduate and a former senior civil servant in the Scottish Government.
He has led the Fraser of Allander Institute since 2016 and is also currently head of economics at the University of Strathclyde.
Ms Spowage is a former senior statistician in the Scottish Government and was deputy chief executive of the Scottish Fiscal Commission between 2016 and 2018. She has been deputy director of Fraser of Allander since last year.
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Sara Carter, vice-principal and head of the college of social sciences at the University of Glasgow, said: “Professor Roy brings considerable expertise in the field of policy and the economy to his new role.
“Alongside continuing his analysis of the economy and economic policy in Scotland, he will play a major leadership role in working to enhance the visibility and impact of the university and its research in social sciences. Professor Roy will be working with our partners in Glasgow and beyond to support the city’s ambitions to be a leading and vibrant centre of enterprise and productivity.”
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Mr Roy said: “I am delighted to be...taking on this exciting new role.
“Social scientists have a crucial role to play in helping us find solutions to the key challenges and opportunities that our economy and society face in the years ahead – whether that be the recovery from Covid-19, climate change or how best to tackle inequality and improve wellbeing. I am looking forward to working with colleagues across the university to take forward an exciting new agenda for external engagement within the college.”
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