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.

In 2015 he was appointed by the ESRC and Innovate UK as one of five Thought Leaders working to integrate scientific innovation and social science research across the UK, and he is currently one of the Co-Investigators 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.

In 2021, he was appointed as a Director of the National Transport Authority of Ireland, and has previously held a variety of similar positions including Non-Executive Director of Transport Scotland and the Scotrail train operating company, and Commissioner on the National Infrastructure Commission for Scotland.

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.