Stephen Sinclair is Professor of Social Policy and Co-Director of the Scottish Poverty & Inequality Research Unit (SPIRU) at Glasgow Caledonian University. His principal research interests are poverty and social security policy (particularly tackling child poverty), social innovation, financial exclusion and social policy Scotland. Among his recent research activities within SPIRU are a 3 year analytical partnership with the Scottish Government to support the delivery of the national child poverty strategy, and projects undertaken for the Poverty and Inequality Commission and the Edinburgh Poverty Commission. Some recent publications include a critical appraisal of Social Impact Bonds and the book Social Innovation and Social Policy: Theory, Policy and Practice (co-authored with Simone Baglioni). Stephen is a member of the Child Poverty Action Group’s UK Policy Committee and its Scottish Advisory Committee, joint Review editor and editorial board member of the Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, and a Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy.

Sharon is the Executive Director at LEAD. She has over 18 years of experience in research and international development, with over seven of those spent in the field of digital financial services and financial inclusion. She is passionate about finding effective solutions to promote enterprise growth and development, and realising the untapped potential of micro and small businesses. She has significant expertise in leveraging co-creation, collaborative processes, as well using the power of data from the ground up to improve socio-economic outcomes for individuals, households and enterprises. She focuses on bringing the right combination of talent, expertise and stakeholders together to ensure that investments and efforts are perfectly aligned with the desired goals. Sharon has in-depth knowledge in “right fit research methods” and significant experience in the domain of financial capabilities and well-being, and small business and entrepreneurship development. Sharon’s journey at LEAD began in 2008, when she arrived in India with a strong desire to improve society by producing impactful knowledge that can bring positive change. Prior to joining LEAD, Sharon was an economist with Analysis Group in Montreal Canada. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Université du Québec à Montréal as well as an M.A. in Social Research Methods from the London School of Economics.

John H McKendrick is Professor of Social Justice and co-Director of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit in the Glasgow School for Business and Society at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is primarily concerned to inform the work of practitioners and campaigners beyond the academy who seek to tackle poverty in Scotland. he has active research interests in relation to children and play, education, tackling poverty, transport and school food.

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