Distinguished Stirling academic joins Standing Council on Europe

The First Minister has appointed Sir George Reid, Professorial Fellow in Humanitarian Studies at the University of Stirling, to the Standing Council on Europe, today 16 November.

The Council – composed of eminent diplomats, economists and analysts – provides advice to the Scottish Government on its response to the Brexit referendum.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Sir George Reid has a lifetime of experience as an MP, MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and Member of the Assembly of the Council of Europe. He has a wide breadth of knowledge, experience and has successfully led a number of reviews of strategic issues in the UK and Europe. I am certain his contribution will further enhance the existing work of the Council."

Sir George added: "I want Scotland to retain the strongest possible connection with Europe. That is what the Scottish people voted for and it fits our economic and social interests.

"I particularly want to explore how our academic and research links are maintained, how our universities remain open to European students, and how the rights of EU citizens already living here are safeguarded."

He has served as the MP for Clackmannanshire and Stirling East, MSP for Ochil, as Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, and as a Member the Parliamentary Assemblies of the Council of Europe and the Western European Union.   

As Director of Public Affairs of the International Red Cross/Red Crescent he worked in wars and disasters worldwide and was regularly engaged in diplomatic negotiations with European governments and the EU on humanitarian and military issues.

Since his retirement as Presiding Officer, he has led a number of strategic reviews in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Caucasus.

In 2014 he was appointed a professorial Fellow at the University of Stirling, where he teaches the first MSc module in the UK in Humanitarian Studies. He lives with his wife in Bridge of Allan.