Professor Mike Danson

Honorary Treasurer

Professor Mike Danson is a specialist in regional economics and policy development, publishing widely in the area. With a specific expertise in regional economic development, he is a recognised expert in regional development agencies and their programmes and policies.  In the last 10 years, Professor Danson has been editor of 6 books, had over 30 refereed articles published, contributed more than 35 chapters in books and presented 100 conference papers. Based on his research and expert advice, Professor Danson has been strongly involved in developing government policies and strategies: Volunteering Strategy for Scotland, Young People Volunteering Strategy for Scotland, Strategy for an Ageing Scotland, and the Employability Framework. He has also been commissioned to advise the Scottish Executive, Scottish Parliament, UK Parliament, Scotland Europa, European Commission, various regional development agencies and other bodies across Europe on a range of issues and themes. He has previously been elected chair of the Regional Studies Association, editor of 'Debates and Surveys' in Regional Studies, elected to the committee of the Regional Science Association International: British & Irish Section and committee member of the Scottish Economic Society.

Professor Danson has been on the organising committees of over 70 national and international conferences since 1980 and in recognition of these many activities, in 2001 he was elected to the Academy of the Social Sciences, being one of the first elected from a post-1992 University to the Academy, subsequently being elected in 2004 to the posts of Treasurer and Vice Chair for Scotland. As well as overseeing the budget and accounts of the Academy as Treasurer, working with the office to ensure that the organisation is running effectively and smoothly with regard to the finances, he takes a full part in the Executive and Council. In his role as Vice Chair for Scotland, Mike is responsible for building closer links between the Academy and the Scottish Executive, and other public bodies. This involves representing and co-ordinating the social sciences in Scotland especially, and he is organising a series of events including seminars and showcase events for the social sciences in Scotland. This should raise the profile of these disciplines in the country generally and to public and civic society in particular