Advisory Board

Andy Kerr

Andy was appointed Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) , a low carbon innovation and skills centre, in 2010. He is also the Policy Director of the Scottish Centre of Expertise in Climate Change. Previously Andy was a Director at E3 International, working with companies to develop strategic and practical management responses to emerging market opportunities in international carbon and biofuel markets. His public policy work has focused on supporting the development of effective national policy frameworks that reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Recent projects include the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Inquiry Report: “Facing up to Climate Change: Breaking the barriers to a low carbon Scotland” and the Scottish Government's “Climate Change Delivery Plan”.

Nicola McEwen

Nicola was appointed to the University of Edinburgh's Department of Politics in 2001, where she has been Co-Director of the Institute of Governance since 2009. She also co-convenes the PSA specialist group on Territorial Politics and is on the editorial board of Regional and Federal Studies. Nicola has published widely in the field of territorial politics and multi-level government, and is actively involved in informing debate within the wider policy and political community, through media work, consultancy and public engagement. She is currently engaged in projects on intergovernmental relations, voter participation and multi-level environmental politics.

George Callaghan

George is an economist at the Open University, as well as a community consultant and trusted advisor to SCENE. He has developed extensive and highly specialised experience in conducting empirical research into economic and socioeconomic aspects of community energy, with a particular interest in the relative advantages and disadvantages of community benefit arrangements and ownership structures.

Ed Craig

Ed Craig is the Edinburgh Centre's Head of Business Innovation, leading the Innovation and Business activities within the Centre with a specific focus on enabling the long term sustainability of the Centre and its activities. Ed has been responsible for the development and oversight of multiple Low Carbon national and international project partnerships on themes including sustainable transportation, biomass, sustainable construction and Smart Cities. Ed is an experienced staff and resource leader and in 2003 established Scotland’s first department dedicated to the acquisition and management of external EU funding within a University. Ed holds a Business Commerce Honours and an MSc in Human Ecology from the University of Edinburgh and has a significant knowledge of National & EU funding streams, in particular regarding innovation and Low Carbon issues.

David Comerford

David is currently studying for a PhD in Economics at the University of Edinburgh through a scholarship from the ESRC, entitled 'Energy in the Macroeconomy'. His research interests are focused on how energy availability impacts upon economic growth in both the long run and in the short run. He is also researching issues in climate change economics and international trade, and has undertaken a project on 'Valuing The Landscape' for The Scottish Government. Prior to undertaking the PhD, David was an actuary of 9 years' experience in Edinburgh's Life Insurance sector, specialising in balance sheet risk and risk adjusted profits. Prior to this David studied Mathematics and Physics at University of Glasgow and achieved a 1st Class Combined Honours. David is also a keen observer of Scottish politics

Karen Robertson

Karen is an experienced marketing consultant with particular skills in strategic planning, multi-disciplinary project management, marketing communications, and intermediary and client services. Her experience initially was gained in the financial services sector during her time with Royal Bank of Scotland and as marketing manager for Royal Bank of Scotland International. Her roles since, include working as a client services director with a large full service marketing and communications agency. In addition, she has experience of the education and leisure sectors and has been involved in many market research projects. Karen has taught marketing at Edinburgh University and is currently a trustee of the national charity, the Anaphylaxis Campaign. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband and two sports mad young boys.