Kevin is an Honorary Professor and Director of the Centre for Freedom of Information University of Dundee. He was the first Scottish Information Commissioner (2003-2012), issuing decisions in more than 1600 cases, and is the author of the authoritative reference book, “Freedom of Information in Scotland in Practice’.
He is currently Convener of the Standards Commission for Scotland, which promotes and enforces codes of conduct for those in public life.
Kevin has carried out consultancy work on the drafting and implementation of access to information laws in several countries including Brazil, South Africa, Croatia, Georgia, Tunisia, and Albania. He was appointed by the President of the World Bank to the Bank’s Access to Information Appeals Board (2012-2020).
With a Masters degree in African Studies from Edinburgh University, he worked previously for aid and environmental NGOs, conducting research in India, Central America and Zimbabwe. In this period he was Chair of Friends of the Earth International.
Kevin was elected Rector of the University of St Andrews, from which he has an honorary doctorate.