Experts

Graeme is Dean of External Engagement in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Glasgow. Graeme’s interests are primarily in devolution, regional policy and the Scottish economy. Between 2016 and 2021, Graeme was Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, a research institute focussed on the Scottish economy. Prior to that, Graeme spent many years as a Senior Economic Adviser in government and is a former head of the First Minister of Scotland’s Policy Unit. Graeme is currently

Melissa Rubio is a postdoctoral researcher in Economics at the University of Cologne and member of the ECONtribute. She obtained her PhD in Economics from University of Gothenburg. Her research interests are in economic history, development economics and labour economics.

Jenifer Ruiz-Valenzuela (Phd Economics, European University Institute, 2014) is a Research Economist at the Centre for Economic Performance (London School of Economics) and Research Coordinator of the Centre for Vocational Education Research. Her research spans a variety of topics in the Economics of Education including: the impacts of parental job loss on child outcomes, the consequences of failing high-stake exams, the value-added of post-16 institutions and gender gaps in education.

Johnny Runge is a Senior Social Researcher at NIESR and a Research Associate at ESCoE. His research focuses on public attitudes and perceptions, including on immigration and the economy, and across a number of labour market and employment issues, including recruitment, pay, welfare, and barriers experienced by disadvantaged groups. He is currently doing research on the public understanding of economics and economic statistics.

Jason Russ is a Senior Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist of the Sustainable Development Practice at the World Bank. His professional interests center on using econometrics and data analytics to diagnose development challenges, and quantify the economic and social impacts of environmental externalities. Prior to joining the World Bank he was an analyst at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from George Washington University.

Dr Simon Russell is a Senior Research Fellow and Unit Manager of the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Obesity. Simon’s role within the unit is to coordinate the activities of the research programme and develop, implement, and monitor systems for the operational management of the programme. Simon also manages and conducts research that meets the programme’s aims and objectives, contributes to the national health research strategy, and provides evidence to inform the thinking of policy makers.