Neil Davidson

Neil Davidson is a Research Fellow at Moray College, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), where he develops software applications for third-sector research projects in rural communities. His role combines technical expertise with academic research leadership.

His educational background includes:

• Doctor of Music in Composition in Improvisation from the University of Glasgow (2006-2010)
• Master of Music in Folio of Compositions dealing with Responsibility and Improvisation from the University of Glasgow (2005-2006)
• Master of Arts in Music and English Literature from the University of Glasgow (1997-2001)

Davidson's research bridges software development with rural community challenges, focusing on client agency and data ownership. His current projects analyze social interaction algorithms, fuel poverty pathways, and Scottish transport optimization, demonstrating applied computing in underserved regions. This work represents a distinct shift from his music composition background toward technology-driven social solutions.

As Principal Investigator, Davidson leads these research initiatives:

• Collaborative Playlist Creation; social interaction over profit based algorithms (January 2025 - October 2025)
• Optimising for Client Agency & Data Ownership - Developing A transparent and secure multi agency pathway to relieve fuel poverty (December 2024 - March 2025)
• Rural Transport Insights: Creating data analysis and route optimisation tools tailored for data on the Scottish aviation and transport sectors (May 2024 - July 2025)

He maintains active collaborations with researchers including Scott, Kloda, and Sousa, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to rural data challenges. While his academic foundation lies in music and literature, his current work creates tangible impact through software solutions for community-based organizations.