Des McNulty

Des McNulty was the first person to be appointed as a knowledge exchange specialist at the University of Glasgow in 2012. With Ken Gibb he set up Policy Scotland as the outward facing policy centre at the University, joining UPEN shortly after it was set up. He later became Dean for Public Policy and subsequently Assistant Vice Principal, responsible for civic engagement and place leadership. He is an Honorary Fellow, Civic Partnership and Place Leadership at Glasgow, Honorary Professor at Glasgow Caledonian University and chairs the Advisory Board of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub at the University of Birmingham

Des served as Minister for Social Justice and as Chair of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee during his parliamentary career (MSP 1999-2011). He also served in senior local government roles in Strathclyde Regional Council 1990-96 and Glasgow City Council 1995-1999. He chairs the Academic Advisory Group at Glasgow City Council. His academic and policy practitioner interests focus on place policy, the role of universities and on demand-responsive engagement across a range of policy challenges. As Vice-Chair (International) of UPEN, Des works closely with the co-chairs of the International Committee to build partnerships that extend the reach and profile of UPEN.