Professor Iain Docherty

Professor Iain Docherty is Dean for the Institute for Advanced Studies. He joined the University of Stirling in April 2019. Prior to this, he was Professor of Public Policy and Governance and Director of External Engagement at the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School.

Iain completed his BSc in Geography and PhD in Geography and Economic & Social History at the University of Glasgow.

His research interests focus on the interconnecting issues of public policy, institutional change and city and regional competitiveness, especially the role of transport in promoting economic development and environmental sustainability.

Iain has worked with and advised a range of private sector, governmental and other organisations around the world including governments and public agencies in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, The Netherlands and Sweden, and the OECD. He is currently a member of the Academic Panel that advises the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the performance of City and Regional Growth Deals across the UK.

His recent research roles include appointment by the ESRC and Innovate UK as one of five Thought Leaders working to integrate scientific innovation and social science research across the UK, as Infrastructure Theme Lead for the ESRC Productivity Insights Network, and as one of three researchers managing the collaborative project funded by the EPSRC and governments across the UK on the long term impacts of the COVID19 pandemic on transport and mobility. He currently leads an Innovation and Research Caucus project on the alignment between national and regional economic development strategies in the UK. 

Iain serves as External Member of the Scottish Funding Council’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee, on the REF2029 People, Culture and Environment Pilot Panel for Social Policy and Social Work, and as a member of the of the UKRI Interdisciplinary Assessment College.

Iain is also an experienced Non-Executive Director in the transport sector. He currently serves as the Chair of Scottish Rail Holdings and as Director and Chair of the Capital Programmes Committee of the National Transport Authority of Ireland. He was previously a Commissioner on the National Infrastructure Commission for Scotland and a Non-Executive Director of both Transport Scotland and the Scotrail train operating company.

Iain holds Fellowships of the Academy of Social Sciences, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal Geographical Society and the Institution of Civil Engineers, and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.