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I lead all partner and stakeholder relationship engagementÌýfor the interdisciplinary Living Good Food Nation Lab, working across sectors and parts of the food system toÌýensure partnership work is central to the Living Lab, theÌýimplementation of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act and wider food systems transformation. This includes working with all 13 territorial Scottish health boards, all 32 ScottishÌýlocal authorities and the Lab's formal partners (which includeÌýcivil society, public sector and academia).Ìý

As part of this work I will develop understanding of the role of collaboration and partnership working, at multiple scales and throughout the policy implementation process as part of food systems transformation, including the journey of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) act.Ìý

My personal research interests also include:

Health inequalitiesÌý

Grassroots / community foodÌý

Older People's Food Security and Malnutrition

Social FoodÌý

I am a geographer (Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society) and social scientist, with an extensive background in food systems work, including a Masters in Food Security and Food Justice and over a decade of practical experience navigating the intersections between scale to practically achieve the Good Food Nation vision for all.ÌýI was previously Policy and Parliamentary Engagment Manager for Food Train and as part of this an Operational Member of the Scottish Food Coalition. IÌýplayed a central role to lobbying for, strengthening of and the passing of the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act. This included work on particular amemdments on: the inclusion of mental wellbeing, recognition of social care and the development of an independent Food Commission as part of the legistlation. I was anÌýexpert witness to Scottish Parliament during the Stage 1 scrutiny process.ÌýÌý

I have given expert comment to the media on a range of food related issues (The Herald, BBC Radio, STV, ITV Borders)Ìý

I have featured in a range of civil society outputs including:ÌýGlasgow Community Food's Podcast reflecting on the Good Food Nation journey; Soil Association Scotland's work on framing procurement through a preventitive lens and have presented at a range of conferences in the UK and internationally.Ìý

My work has always intersected food and health, recognising the social model of health as part of food system transformation. I have completed extensive workÌýunderstanding how to prevent and tackle malnutrition and food insecurity amongst older people. This included developing screening programmes, training programmes andÌýchallenging the framing of food security to recognise the social model of health.ÌýThis work and research led to theScottish Minister of Public Health committing to a Short Life Working Group on Malnutrition.

I bring a breadth of experience to this role from beyond the academic space, including working within a council, in collabration with Local Authorities and Health Boards, as a funder, trustee, researcher and leading a signficant Covid-19 food access response.Ìý