New starters at The David Hume Institute

The DHI team expanded this week with the welcome arrival of two new part-time appointees. 

Shelagh Young joins the Institute in the newly-created role of Engagement Lead, with a focus on reaching and consulting with a wide and diverse audience. Shelagh is an experienced leader, writer and facilitator in the not-for-profit and co-operative sector. Moving from journalism to in-house communications work, she joined Oxfam GB before moving to Scotland to focus on leadership development with disabled people and their families. She was Chair of the UK's only co-operative telecoms provider The Phone Co-op and a founder director of the sustainable food and farming organisation Nourish Scotland.

Eric Hildrew takes up the new role of Communications Lead, tasked with raising the Institute’s profile and increasing the impact of its work. Eric brings over 20 years of experience in research and communications to the David Hume Institute. From a background in cultural research, he has gone on to lead marketing and brand development for a range of organisations including Sheffield Theatres and National Museums Scotland. As a freelance consultant, Eric’s clients have included Historic Environment Scotland, Forth Rivers Trust, and Glencoe Folk Museum.

Susan Murray, director of the David Hume Institute, says:

“I’m delighted to welcome Shelagh and Eric to our small but ambitious team. Through developing our communications and engagement capacity we aim to increase the impact of our work, both allowing more voices to be heard through our research and by reaching the widest possible audience with our findings and insights. We’re committed to flexible working and the opportunity that part-time working presents to expand our organisation’s skillset.”