Personal statement

I joined the Fraser of Allander Institute in June 2016 to lead the Institute’s work in Fiscal Policy. I am an Adviser to the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee, and a Fellow of the Centre on Constitutional Change.

My research interests are in the economics of devolved finances and labour markets.

Earlier in 2016 I was a joint author of influential work with the IFS to consider the options for Scotland’s new Fiscal Framework. I have written extensively on the Barnett Formula, Scotland’s new fiscal powers, and the implications of UK Government fiscal policy for Scotland.

I have written a number of reports on labour market trends and inequality in Scotland, including two reports for the David Hume Institute, both with Professor David Bell.

Before joining Strathclyde I was a Research Fellow at the University of Stirling for five years. Prior to that I worked as a public policy consultant in both Scotland and England. I began my career as a Research Economist at the Macaulay Institute (now James Hutton Institute) in Aberdeen.