Dr Eilidh Whiteford was born in Aberdeen and grew up in Macduff, where her parents still live. She has been active in the SNP since joining her local branch in 1986 during the run up to Alex Salmond's victorious election. At Glasgow University she quickly got involved with the Federation of Student Nationalists, first as National Organiser and then as President, sitting on the SNP National Executive and acting as party spokesperson on Higher Education. In between the politics, she graduated with First Class Honours in English and Scottish Literature, followed by postgraduate studies in Canada and Scotland that led to a PhD in 1998.
ĘShe 'served her time' in the Peterhead office, working for Alex in 1992. She returned to the North East in early 1998 to work for Allan Macartney MEP. Following Allan's untimely death she worked for Ian Hudghton MEP until the 1999 elections, then helped new MSP Irene McGugan establish a constituency office in the first term of the Scottish Parliament.
She returned to Glasgow University in 1999 to teach, lecturing in Scottish Literature and developing access routes into higher education for mature students. In 2001, she moved into a campaigning role in the voluntary sector as Co-ordinator of the Scottish Carers' Alliance, a network of carer, disability and children's organisations working for the rights of people looking after elderly, sick or disabled relatives or friends.
In 2003 she joined a well known international development organisation in a policy role, promoting development issues with Scottish parliamentarians and, in the wake of the Make Poverty History campaign in 2005, she became its Scottish Campaigns Manager.
In her spare time, she enjoys singing traditional and choral music, going to the theatre, cooking and reading.
Recent electoral experience
None
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