David Clelland

Dr. David Clelland serves as Lecturer in Rural Regeneration at the School of Social & Environmental Sustainability at the University of Glasgow, based in Dumfries. His academic career spans research in rural and regional development with a focus on peripheral regions, having completed his doctorate in 2022 on governance and agency in regional economic development, specifically examining Dumfries and Galloway's experience over two decades.

His research interests encompass local and regional development, alternative economic development strategies, the role of university campuses in rural and peripheral regions, geographies of multi-scalar governance, and the measurement of poverty and deprivation in rural areas. His work demonstrates a consistent focus on understanding how governance structures, policy frameworks, and community agency interact to shape development outcomes in less central locations.

Dr. Clelland's recent publications reveal a strong trajectory in analyzing post-pandemic recovery, particularly in coastal regions through the RRR-Coast project, examining green recovery in the Blue Economy, and investigating how university presences can support disadvantaged places. His scholarly output spans political geography, rural studies, economic development, and environmental policy, with significant contributions to understanding rural policy implementation and regional governance.

• Deputy Lead for Research Ethics, College of Social Sciences
• Chair of the Staff-Student Liaison Committee
• School Lead for Upskilling and Microcredentials courses
• Member of the Regional Studies Association
• Member of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network

Dr. Clelland actively supervises doctoral research projects related to local or regional development and teaches on the MA Health and Social Sector Leadership and MA Global Sustainable Development programs. His current research portfolio includes investigating post-COVID responses in coastal regions, examining university civic missions through branch campuses, and analyzing barriers to implementing a Wellbeing Economy in Scotland.