Fraser Macdonald

Head of Collaboration at The Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

About

I design and lead international, cross-sector collaborations that turn bold ideas into impactful, scalable solutions. *DataIQ Data For Good Champion 2023* Providing technical leadership and strategic oversight at Edinburgh Futures Institute. Building new approaches for global multi-sector collaboration and responsible innovation.

Experience

  • The University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom)
    • Head of Collaboration - Edinburgh Futures Institute
      Aug 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

      Supporting the Edinburgh Futures Institute in realising its vision of making our complex world better. By developing pioneering methods, strategies, and frameworks, I help forge partnerships that tackle complex global challenges. Proud to hosts the award winning Data for Children Collaborative.

    • Director - Data for Children Collaborative
      Apr 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 3 mos

      Mobilising diverse cross-sector global partnerships and enabling impactful challenge-led projects at scale. Answering the biggest issues facing young people around the world.

    • Head of Delivery and Innovation - Data for Children Collaborative with UNICEF
      Jun 2021 - May 2023 · 2 yrs

      Ensuring that we continue to deliver innovative solutions that improve outcomes for children globally. I work across multiple teams to look at how we identify challenges and develop methods that bring together the right mix of expertise to deliver results. I also look looking internally at the Collaborative itself and consider how we as an organisation can think outside the box and develop an innovative delivery framework that meets our strategic objectives.

  • Chair - Data Advisory Group at Young Scot
    Mar 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 4 mos

    The Data Advisory Group (DAG) concept is to support Young Scot by leveraging a broader network to provide advice and guidance, shape ideas, and leverage a much more extensive network to the benefit of Young Scot and Scotland’s young people. The DAG are passionate about using data to inform, connect and empower. We are passionate about leveraging data science and analytics to help Young Scot drive social benefit for young people across Scotland.

  • The Data Lab - Innovation Centre (4 yrs 7 mos)
    • Project Development Manager -Data For Children Collaborative with UNICEF
      Jun 2020 - Jun 2021 · 1 yr 1 mo

      Bringing together global expertise and forming collaborations to solve the most challenge issues facing children. Data for Children Collaborative with UNICEF which is a joint collaboration between UNICEF, The Scottish Government and the University of Edinburgh.

    • DataFest Delivery Director
      Feb 2017 - Jun 2020 · 3 yrs 5 mos

      The first festival of data innovation held in Scotland. The event has grown to attract over 4,000 participants across 65 events, bringing together industry, the public sector, universities, colleges, schools, and the public, to learn about and discuss data innovation.

    • Project Development Manager
      Dec 2016 - Jun 2020 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      The Data Lab enables Scottish industry to capitalise on the rapidly growing data science market. We unite world-class researchers and data scientists with industry and public services organisations to generate economic, social and scientific value. As Project Development Manager, I work with partners across industry, public sector, and academia to ensure successful delivery of collaborative projects, funded by The Data Lab.

  • Knowledge Exchange Fellow: Marine Robotics at Scottish Association for Marine Science
    Feb 2015 - 2017 · 2 yrs

    Working with The Scottish Marine Robotics Facility to build collaborative partnerships across the broader marine community and develop applied R&D projects to support the oil & gas, marine policy, and defense sectors.

  • Knowledge Exchange Co-ordinator: MAREMAP at Scottish Association for Marine Science
    Apr 2013 - 2014 · 10 mos

    The Maritime Environment Mapping Programme (MAREMAP) was launched in June 2010 to bring together Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) organisations and integrate their research to inform practical applications.