High-value rural jobs and Scotland’s future | In person

When we hear about rural Scotland’s economic potential, it’s often framed in terms of deficits and constraints. This panel discussion challenges that perspective.

Focusing on high-value rural jobs, this event recognises rural Scotland as a hotbed of innovation, skills development and forward-looking enterprise. From AI and digital technologies to green jobs and nature-based innovation, rural areas are not merely recipients of policy but places of experimentation and national capability.

Bringing together leading commentators, Early Career Researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and the public, the discussion will strengthen the narrative on how high-value rural jobs and workforce development help retain and grow Scotland’s rural populations.

The event will feature a keynote address from Douglas Dickson, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Dumfries and Galloway College, an expert respondent, and a panel discussion with Early Career Researchers, whose perspectives are central to shaping Scotland’s rural future.

About the Peter Wilson Lecture

This panel discussion is the RSE’s annual Peter Wilson Lecture, convened by both the Scottish Consortium for Rural Research (SCRR) and the RSE. It is open to researchers, policymakers, the public, community representatives and anyone interested in the future of rural Scotland.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Douglas Dickson
Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Dumfries and Galloway College

Douglas Dickson, Principal and CEO of Dumfries and Galloway College, is a college sector leading advocate for quality enhancement and high impact educational performance in rural regions. His career is defined by a commitment to widening access, strengthening evidence-based improvement, and championing innovation that supports both learners and local industry. Leading one of Scotland’s most geographically dispersed college communities, Douglas has advanced initiatives that enhance digital inclusion, elevate teaching practice, and drive equitable attainment. In the South of Scotland, he has championed regional collaboration, strengthened employer partnerships, and expanded access to skills and learning. His work focuses on aligning education with economic need, supporting inclusive growth, and delivering sustainable impact for learners, communities, and industry.

RESPONDENT: Professor Alastair Macrae
Personal Chair of Farm Animal Health and Production, University of Edinburgh

Alastair Macrae is Professor of Farm Animal Health and Production, and Head of the Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service (DHHPS) at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh. The DHHPS provides independent consultancy advice to dairy, beef and sheep farms on all aspects of health and productivity, with the aim of preventing disease and maximising farm profitability. He is involved in teaching undergraduate veterinary students in all years of the course at Edinburgh and promoting the benefits of working in rural practice for the next generation of veterinary surgeons.

PANELLIST: Lynne Somerville
Digital Skills Lead, Digital Dairy Chain, the University of the West of Scotland

Lynnes' on the DDC is to lead the Workforce of the Future strand, supporting the project to transform how the dairy sector and its supply chain attract and retain talent. They established the exec talent skills forum and are currently conducting an audit and mapping exercise to understand the current skills landscape and identify where we need to be in terms of training provision and education policy to effectively support the dairy sector over the next 10 to 25 years and beyond.

PANELLIST: Professor Sandro Carnicelli
Professor of Tourism and Leisure Studies, Co-Director – Centre for Culture, Sport and Events, University of the West of Scotland

Sandro Carnicelli is a Professor of Tourism and Leisure Studies at the University of the West of Scotland and the Co-Director of the Centre for Culture, Sport, and Events (CCSE). Sandro is the Chair of the Renfrewshire Tourism Leadership Group and a member of the International Academy for the Development of Tourism Research in Brazil. As a researcher, Sandro has been working in the fields of Tourism, Events, and Leisure for 20 years. Sandro has now over 50 publications in partnership with researchers from all over the world. Sandro has co-edited three books: Digital Leisure Cultures (2014); Lifestyle Sports and Public Policy (2014); and Tourism Cases in Latin America (2025).

PANELLIST: Dr Marion Slater
Vice-President, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

Marion graduated from the University of Edinburgh before commencing postgraduate training, first in Glasgow then in the North of Scotland. She is Vice-President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, a Consultant Physician in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Deputy Postgraduate Dean of Medicine in the Scotland Deanery. Marion leads on the GMC-approved Rural and Remote health Credential, pioneering a novel approach to supporting the education and training of healthcare professionals and assuring patients and employers in remote, rural and island communities. She is a member of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland.

PANELLIST: Dr Panna Muqit
Clinical Senior Lecturer and Phase One Placement Lead (MBChB), University of St Andrews; Clinical Senior Lecturer and CLIC (Clinical and Communication Skills) Lead, ScotGEM, University of Dundee

Dr Panna Muqit is a Senior Clinical Lecturer and Phase One Placement Lead for the MBChB programme at the University of St Andrews, and a GP by background. She spent seven years teaching on ScotGEM, Scotland’s graduate‑entry, community‑based medical education programme with a strong remote and rural focus. She also holds a leadership role in clinical and communication skills education at the University of Dundee within ScotGEM, preparing adaptable doctors for current and future population needs. Her interests centre on workforce development and training excellent generalists across diverse settings. She holds an MMedEd, FRCGP, FHEA and is a member of the Young Academy of Scotland.

CHAIR: Professor Sarah Skerratt
Chief Executive, Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

Sarah is Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE). A familiar face to the RSE, having been the RSE’s Director of Programmes for two years. Prior to this, Sarah was Director of Policy Engagement at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), where she worked for just over two decades. Sarah is Professor of Rural Society and Policy.

For 30+ years, Sarah has researched rural community resilience, disempowerment, poverty and rural mental health. She has enhanced rural and national policies and made a difference in rural communities via robust data, particularly lived-experienced evidence. Sarah works with Scottish Government task forces, the Scottish and UK Parliaments, universities, the private, public, and third sectors, communities, and development agencies in Scotland and internationally. Following a two-year secondment with Audit Scotland, Sarah is retained as their rural adviser, having established their Islands Forum in 2017. Sarah is also Scientific Director of the Scottish Consortium for Rural Research (SCRR).

Sarah’s charity Board appointments have included: Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Rural Housing Scotland and Scotland’s Regeneration Forum (SURF); she is currently on the Board of the Scottish Power Foundation; and in 2026 she was appointed to the Open University’s Council and chair’s the Open University in Scotland’s Scottish External Engagement Group.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• Privacy policy: Please note that any personal data that is submitted to the RSE will be stored and processed in accordance with the RSE’s Privacy Policy. We will only use mobile numbers provided to contact you in the event of a cancellation.
• Filming: Livestreaming and photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed. Recorded events will be made available on the RSE YouTube channel.
• Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact [email protected]. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website: Accessibility - Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) : Royal Society of Edinburgh

Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Public Engagement team on [email protected]

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