Murray Leith

Murray Leith is Professor of Politics and Director of the Centre for Migration, Diaspora, Citizenship and Identity at University of the West of Scotland. His work and interests focus on several aspects of Scottish and US politics, Scottish nationalism, national identity, the Scottish Diaspora, independence and Union. He is usually working on research involving nationalism, national identity, diaspora and belonging, and is currently researching around the Scottish Diaspora, as well as other aspects of contemporary Scottish politics and wider society.

His most recent projects involved research considering how the Scottish Govt might connect with the worldwide Scottish diaspora, community based research involving military veterans, creating an online game considering national and European identity, and any number of research projects around consideration of the Scottish diaspora in North America, Europe, and Australasia, and how it connects and engages with Scottish politics and society (and vice versa).

He has published several books, including 'Scotland: The New State of an Old Nation' a co-authored, wider look at contemporary Scotland. His most recent articles consider the Scottish Diaspora, issues around Scottish identity and belonging, voting rights, and return migration to Scotland, post Brexit. He has a forthcoming edited volume, focusing on the Scottish Diaspora, to be published by Edinburgh University Press in 2026.

He is the proud parent of a grown up daughter, and a slightly younger potted plant.