1 June 2016
True to CenSE’s mission of translating empirical research into high impact for Scotland, CenSE member Dr Sophie Flemig has received two public appointments over the last year. In October 2015, she was appointed as the youngest ever member of the Accounts Commission for Scotland, an executive non-ministerial public body of the Scottish Government charged with holding local governments to account and encouraging best value in public services. This was followed by an appointment to the board of the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) in April 2016. Sophie had this to say about her ministerial appointments:
Both posts provide excellent opportunities to apply the skills I have gained in academia and build extensive networks for future impact work. Within 6 months, my approach to research has fundamentally changed and I am much clearer on how to bring knowledge exchange and impact to the forefront.
On the other hand, she has also been able to establish closer links between academics working in relevant fields and the two public bodies:
There is a thirst for empirical evidence that can inform and guide staff in their work – the public sector and the academic communities just need to become more aware of each other, and I would be delighted if I can assist in creating such ties. Citizen engagement and co-production are currently my highest priorities in this regard.
Further Information
Dr Sophie Flemig is a Research Fellow for the EU-project 'Learning from Innovation in Public Sector Environments' (LIPSE).