Former Children's Commissioner joins Glasgow University

Scotland’s former Children and Young People’s Commissioner has been appointed Professor of Practice at the University of Glasgow’s School of Law, for an initial fixed term.

Bruce Adamson served as Commissioner between 2017 and 2023. During this time, he focused on issues such as child justice, mental health and poverty, and led campaigns for legislative change in relation to the age of criminal responsibility, the physical punishment of children, and the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law.

As Professor of Practice, he will deliver teaching and inspiration based on over 25 years of experience of international children’s rights, as a lawyer qualified in three jurisdictions, an advisor for InterGovernmental Organisations, and a campaigner working with children and young people. 

He commented: "The University of Glasgow is ideally placed to work with local, regional and international organisations across public, private and third sectors to use the human rights framework to deliver lasting and impactful positive change in people's lives. Scotland is forging new laws to ensure that human rights are respected protected and fulfilled. The academic community will not only play a key role in shaping these laws but will also ensure their effective implementation.

"The research and teaching at the University of Glasgow will help build a new rights-based culture in Scotland, including through public legal education. This process will create fantastic new opportunities for students through clinical legal education and other experiential learning."

Dr Claire McDiarmid, head of the School of Law, added: "This is an exciting appointment and one which has been made possible by historic investment in the development of clinical legal education in the school. Bruce’s appointment will support and enhance ongoing work with local, regional and international organisations across public, private and third sectors to develop existing relationships and build new partnerships to support clinical legal education and knowledge exchange opportunities for students and staff within the School of Law. It is a fixed term six month appointment, but one which we hope will offer potential for future development."