Career History

​

• Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dumfriesshire 1999-2016

• Shadow Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs 2013-2016

• Vice Convenor Scottish Parliament Justice Committee 2013-2016

• Shadow Minister for Housing and Transport 2011-2013

• Shadow Minister for Environment 2008-2011

• Shadow Minister for Enterprise 2007-2008

• Vice Convenor Finance Committee 2007-2008

• Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport 2001-2003

• Convenor, Cross Party Group on Science and Technology 2008-2016

• Convenor, Cross Party Group on Nuclear Energy 2003-2011

• Vice Convenor, Cross Party Group on Animal Welfare 2008-2011

• Councillor for Dundonald Ward, South Ayrshire Council 1995-1999

• Convenor, Educational Services Committee, South Ayrshire Council, 1995-1998

• Associate Lecturer, Open University 1992 – 1999

• Councillor for Ayr South, Strathclyde Regional Council 1994-1996

• Chair of Women’s Committee, Strathclyde Regional Council 1994-1996

• Assistant to Member of the European Parliament 1990 – 1993

• Tutor (Thistletrain) 1989 – 1993

• Senior Scientific Officer, Institute of Food Research, Reading 1984 – 1987

• Research Fellow, Biophysical Chemistry Department, Royal Free Hospital, London 1982-1984

• Research Fellow, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge 1979 – 1982