Fraser Macdonald

Head of Collaboration
Headshot of Fraser MacDonald

Fraser is Head of Collaboration and based within the Innovation Services team. Fraser leads a team which specialises in using cross-sector collaboration to solve complex problems. He has worked across UK and international research communities, designing and managing transformational projects for the public, private, and third sectors. As Head of Collaboration, Fraser works across a broad range of EFI areas, creating novel methods to enable trans-disciplinary collaboration, data-driven innovation, and end-to-end impact evaluation.

Fraser is also the Deputy Director of the Data for Children Collaborative, an initiative originally developed by UNICEF, the Scottish Government, and the University of Edinburgh. The programme specialises in using data-driven innovation to solve challenges facing children locally and globally.

Prior to working at Edinburgh Futures Institute, Fraser was at The Data Lab Innovation Centre, delivering a broad portfolio of Industry-academic innovation partnerships. Fraser is also Chair of the Data Advisory Board at Young Scot, Scotland’s largest youth information charity. The board provides guidance and support, enabling the charity to leverage data and improve Scotland’s young people’s lives. In 2023, Fraser was the proud winner of the ‘Data for Good Champion’ award at the DataIQ Awards.

New Innovation Service

Edinburgh Futures Institute is developing a new Innovation Service to support partners, researchers and collaborators deliver challenge-led innovation. This new service brings together expertise and practice across the Institute and comprises of three new teams: the Futures and Design Team, the Collaborative Impact Team and the Data-led Methods and Research Technology Team.

Collaborative Impact team

The Collaborative Impact team develops methods, strategies and frameworks that enable challenge-led partnerships that tackle complex problems. This team also supports the Data Collaborative for Children.

Join us to challenge, create, and make change happen.

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