Research Festival 2025

Dr Audrey MacDougall FAcSS is the Scottish Government’s Chief Social Researcher. She took up this role in 2013. She also heads up the Central Analysis Division of the Scottish Government where she was responsible for directing the Scottish Government’s analytical response to COVID. Currently a major strand of her work is focused on developing capability and capacity within the Scottish Government for the development and use of evidence and analysis for policy making and operational delivery. Audrey has a particular interest in mixed methods and the power of interdisciplinary research to generate new insights.

Audrey studied maths in University College Dublin and then moved to London where she trained as a Chartered Accountant. In 1995 she moved to Edinburgh where she became a senior manager in the Infrastructure and Government department in KPMG responsible for best value and consultancy assignments across the public sector in Scotland. While at KPMG she completed an MBA.

In 2002, looking for a change in direction Audrey spent 18 months on secondment to the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit in Whitehall. Following this she returned to the University of Edinburgh where she completed a PhD on strategy making in the 4 nations governments post devolution.

Audrey joined the Scottish Government in 2006 as a social researcher and has worked in various policy areas in education, poverty, housing, equalities and social security. 

9:30am Registration
10:00am Welcome Address – Professor Robert MacIntosh PVCRI & Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor
10:15am Keynote Speaker
Audrey MacDougall – Scottish Government Chief Social Researcher
11:15am Comfort Break
11:30am launch of Research Culture Action Plan (RCAP) – Professor Robert MacIntosh  PVCI & Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor
12:15pm Lunch
1:15pm Exhibition
Visual Representation of how each research group is fostering engagement driving and developing impact.
1:45pm Workshop for the Research Groups
Breakout facilitated group reflections on the exhibition and how UWS contributions to SG Themes and Innovation Strategy

• Tackling Inequality 
• Ensuring High Quality and Sustainable Services 
• Addressing the Climate Emergency 
• Increasing Prosperity through Innovation 

2:45pm UWS Panel Discussion – Innovating for a Better World
(aligning with Scottish Government Themes and Innovation Strategy)
3.30pm Close – Professor Robert MacIntosh

9:30am Registration
10:00am Welcome Address – Professor Robert MacIntosh PVCRI & Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor
10:15am Guest Speakers 
PGR Research for a Better World
Former PhD Students telling their stories as to how the research methodologies, findings and partnerships from their PhD inform the ways they work in their post-PhD professional roles to deliver impact and make our world a better place.
11:30am - 12:50pm PGR Poster Showcase – Posters Reviewed by Panel
11.30am - 12:20pm Workshop – What Does Research Impact Mean to You? (Room D133)
12.20pm - 2:00pm Lunch & Poster Viewings/Networking
2:15pm 3MT Final
3:15pm Prize Giving

9:30am Registration
10:00am Welcome – Professor Robert MacIntosh PVCRI & Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor
10:10am Guest Speaker & Q& A
11:10am Comfort Break
11:25am Parallel Workshop Session 1
Introduction to Research Impact – research for the public good
Stakeholder Mapping for Impact Development
12:40pm Lunch
1:25pm Parallel Workshop Session 2
Stakeholder Mapping for Impact Development
Embedding Impact in Funding Applications
2:40pm Plenary – Call to action to develop impact culture at our London Campus
3:40pm Close- Dr Mariana Dodourova, Dean of UWS London