The Genetic Genealogy Working Group consists of invited individuals active in the field of genetic genealogy, who can provide insights into research initiatives and develop ways in which significant advances can be made in the field.

The principal roles of the Group are as follows –

1) to share and discuss research interests with a view to fostering genetic genealogy research at an academic level
2) to facilitate developments which will lead to advancements in the field of genetic genealogy research

Current topics of discussion

Ancient DNA – methods of testing and application to genetic genealogy

Long-read sequencing – implementation in the field of genetic genealogy

Ethical concerns regarding the use of museum samples for genetic research

Group members

Tom Booth - Senior Laboratory Research Scientist, The Francis Crick Institute

John Cleary - Associate Professor, Linguistics, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh.

Maurice Gleeson - Honorary Research Fellow, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies, Education Ambassador for the International Society of Genetic Genealogy

Graham S Holton – Teaching Fellow and MSc Lead Tutor, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies

Debbie Kennett - genetic genealogist with an interest in surnames, consumer genetics and forensic genetics. Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London.

Maarten Larmuseau - head of the Laboratory of Human Genetic Genealogy, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. Affiliated to the University of Antwerp, Belgium, for the courses Genealogy and Genetic Heritage

Alasdair F Macdonald - Teaching Fellow and Diploma Lead Tutor, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies 

Iain McDonald - astrophysicist, Research fellow at University of Manchester, expert in the statistical analysis of Y-DNA tests

Philip Stead - PhD student with a genetic genealogy focus, University of Strathclyde

Dave Vance - Senior Vice President and General Manager, Family Tree DNA