Kevin Dunion
From MedBib.com - Medicine & Nature
Kevin Dunion OBE (born 1955) is the first and current Scottish Information Commissioner, as well as the current Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews.
Dunion was born in December 1955 in Bridge of Allan, and brought up in Alloa and Glenrothes. He was educated at the University of St Andrews (MA (Hons) Modern History 1978) and at the University of Edinburgh (MSc (Dist) African Studies 1991).
Following periods in the civil service and university administration, Dunion joined Oxfam as Campaigns Manager and then took up the post of Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland. From 1996 to 2000 he also served as Chairman of Friends of the Earth International, heading delegations to the United Nations and European Commission. It was for this role that he was awarded an OBE in 2000.
Dunion was appointed as the first Scottish Information Commissioner in February 2003 and has now completed his first 5 year term. On 24 January 2008, a motion was presented to the Scottish Parliament to reappoint Dunion, and was backed by assent. The reappointment is for a period of 4 years and will last to 23 February 2012. This will be the Commissioner's second and final term as the FOI Act anticipates a third term only in exceptional circumstances.
Before becoming the Scottish Information Commissioner, Kevin Dunion was for many years a notable proponent for freedom of information, and gave evidence to the Justice Committee scrutinising the passage of the Bill through the Scottish Parliament. He also wrote the book Troublemakers – The Struggle For Environmental Justice In Scotland.
He was elected Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews in October 2008; his term will run until 2011.
Personal life
Dunion is married to Linda Malloch, who was formerly married to Iain Gray, the leader of the Labour Group in the Scottish Parliament.[1]
References
- ^ "Ecosse interview: Kevin Dunion". Sunday Times Scotland. 3 January 2010. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6973840.ece. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
- http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/AboutSIC/AboutCommissioner.asp
- http://www.freedomofinformation.co.uk/content/view/45/
- http://www.booksfromscotland.com/Features/Reading-Guides/Environment
- http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2002/asp_20020013_en_1
- http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/home/News/20080128.asp
- http://www.kevindunion.org.uk
External links
- The Scottish Information Commissioner's website
- Website of the Rector of the University of St Andrews
- The website of the Scottish Rectors' Group
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| First | Scottish Information Commissioner 2003–present |
Incumbent |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by Simon Pepper |
Rector of the University of St Andrews 2008–present |
Incumbent |
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