Dr Margaret Currie appointed Head of Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences department
The James Hutton Institute is excited to announce the appointment of Dr Margaret Currie as the new Head of Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences (SEGS), effective from May 1.
Dr Currie, known to colleagues as Mags, has been with the Hutton since January 2013, having previously worked as a research assistant at the University of Aberdeen and as a Research Fellow at the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for Rural Health.
As a human geographer, she leads work that focuses on facilitating processes of change, resilience, empowerment and wellbeing in rural communities. Her research is theoretically and methodologically innovative, and works across geographical scales (local, regional, national, UK-wide, European and international). Between 2017 and 2022, she led the Communities and Wellbeing Work Package of the Scottish Government’s 2016-2022 Strategic Research Programme and helped assess the impact of Covid-19 on Scotland’s rural areas. She currently leads the Realising Change in Rural Communitiesproject in the 2022 – 2027 SRP, which includes developing Living Labs methodologically to facilitate change by engaging with different levels of governance.
In addition to her drive to facilitate change in rural communities, Dr Currie is passionate about research involving interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, knowledge exchange and creating an impact with policy makers, public bodies, and the third sector.
She takes over from Dr Tony Craig, who will be returning to a senior scientist position in SEGS and leading research on understanding the dynamics of pro-environmental behaviour.
Speaking about her new position, she said, “I’m really privileged to step into the role of Head of Department in SEGS. It’s such an honour to lead a fantastic group of social scientists and I look forward to supporting them as best as I can in delivering their excellent research into sustainable management of land, crops and natural resources that supports thriving communities.”
“I’m really privileged to step into the role of Head of Department in SEGS. It’s such an honour to lead a fantastic group of social scientists and I look forward to supporting them as best as I can in delivering their excellent research into sustainable management of land, crops and natural resources that supports thriving communities.”
Dr Mags Currie, The James Hutton Institute
Professor Deb Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Science at the Hutton, added, “I am delighted that Dr Mags Currie has been appointed to this new role. With our new development at Craigiebuckler and the range of exciting research being carried out, there’s sure to be no shortage of amazing work coming from our SEGS Department.
“On behalf of the Hutton, I would like to thank Tony again for his contribution as Department Head. He hands over the Department in an excellent place, and I have every confidence Mags will build on what he has achieved and will prove to be a valuable addition to the Institute Management Team. Tony is ideally placed to lead a really important and growing area for us on human behaviours and the psychology of making choices.”
