Deirdre Kelly is an established professional consultant with experience spanning a range of disciplines, organisational cultures and roles, enabling her to operate as a knowledge broker in interdisciplinary environments. She has expertise in environmental issues and educational research as well as experience of Corporate, Government and Academic working environments and cultures.

After graduating with a BSc in Ecology and PhD in Microbial Ecology, Deirdre qualified as a professional Landscape Architect and was appointed as Environment Manager for the national Scottish economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, where she developed strategy and managed the implementation of environmental improvements in post-industrial areas. Her remit expanded to lead a team developing innovative approaches to education and lifeling learning, where she brokered a number of high profile skills development initiatives with schools, FE Colleges and businesses.

After working with Scottish Enterprise for 10 years, Deirdre   returned to University to pursue her interest in Psychology, where she gained an M.Phil. She was then employed as a Research Fellow in Strathclyde University, followed by a role as Education Research Coordinator for the Scottish Government. Latterly Deirdre worked for the University of Glasgow School of Education, where she used her skills to lead initiatives for the International Educational Consultancy Unit and to manage the Robert Owen Centre for Educational Change.