Hi I'm
Emma Margaret Currie

Position: PhD Student
Location: Edinburgh Campus
Expertise:
- Policy

Scroll down to discover more

I am a PhD student at SRUC researching workforce shortages in the care economy across rural and island Scotland. My work examines how labour shortages in social care interact with demographic change, economic restructuring, and policy reforms, and what these dynamics mean for the sustainability of rural and island communities. Ultimately, my research will aim to inform policies which ensure care provision is recognised as central to Scotland’s rural and island economies and their sustainable futures.

Before joining SRUC, I worked as a Senior Policy Analyst at Newsdirect (now DeHavilland Scotland), specialising in rural, environmental, and education policy. I hold an MRes in Public Policy Research and an MA (Hons) in English Language and Linguistics & Social and Public Policy from the University of Glasgow, where my previous research examined austerity, rural poverty, and the “rural premium” in South-West Scotland.

I grew up in South West Scotland and spent much of my time involved in community volunteering, which has shaped my interest in rural communities and how they adapt to change. Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time with my cat, gaming, and exploring my local area.

Areas of expertise and interests

Policy

I'm currently working on

I am undertaking my doctoral project, which aims to use mixed methods to explore how rural and island communities in Scotland understand, experience, and sustain their local care economy amid workforce pressures and changing demographic needs.

My professional highlights

Public Policy Research MRes (Distinction), The University of Glasgow.
English Language and Linguistics & Social and Public Policy MA (First Class Honours), The University of Glasgow.
Evidence in Public Policy Masters-level SCQF level 11 Certificate (100% Pass), Blavatnik School of Government – The University of Oxford.
Awarded the University of Glasgow’s David Murison Prize for being the best performing student in Modern English Language & Linguistics.
Awarded the University of Glasgow’s MacFie Bequest for being the student with the best performance in a dissertation.
Awarded the University of Glasgow’s Social and Public Policy Prize for being the best performing Joint Honours student.
Represented the University of Glasgow at Sapienza University of Rome’s Co-Creating Urban Futures course.
Worked as a Senior Policy Analyst at Newsdirect (now DeHavilland Scotland).

Additional links

Find out more about our research services

Research services

Our work addresses health and productivity in animals, animal welfare and crops, promotes low carbon farming and increases farm output through efficiency and innovation.