Commission welcomes Professor Angela O’Hagan as new Chair

The Scottish Human Rights Commission warmly welcomes Professor Angela O’Hagan, who takes up her new appointment as Chair of the Commission today.

Angela O’Hagan was most recently Professor of Equality and Public Policy at Glasgow Caledonian University where she created the current MSc in Human Rights and previously led the MSc in Citizenship and Human Rights. She was also Deputy Director of the WISE Centre for Economic Justice.

Human rights leadership

Professor Angela O’Hagan’s career includes leadership roles in the community and statutory sectors in Scotland, including as Director of Carers Scotland, and Head of Campaigns and Communications with Oxfam Scotland, after a period with the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Angela O’Hagan has focused on integrating equality and human rights analysis in public policy throughout her career. Professor O’Hagan has an international profile, particularly in gender and human rights budgeting, and through membership of academic and civil society networks.  She was awarded the Jo Cox Award for Public Service and Activity Citizenship in 2019.

Fourth Chair of the Commission

The new Chair was nominated by the Scottish Parliament in May 2024 and can serve a maximum of eight years, but is usually appointed for six years.

Professor O’Hagan’s appointment is a part-time role, and she will work for 2.5 days per week.  The Chair leads a group of up to four other Members of the Commission, all appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to form the Commission and provide strategic leadership in its work to deliver on Scotland’s human rights priorities.

The current Members of the Commission are Jim Farish, Shelley Gray and Dr Claire Methven O’Brien. They said:

“We are pleased to welcome Angela O’Hagan as new Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

"As Chair, Angela will be leading the Commission forward into its fifth Strategic Plan with an emphasis on accountability for human rights in Scotland, and strengthening the legal framework to protect and promote all our rights.

“We look forward to working with her over the coming years to fulfil the Commission’s mandate as Scotland’s human rights watchdog.”

Incoming Chair Professor Angela O’Hagan said:

"I am delighted to be taking up this important role at this exciting time for human rights in Scotland as we anticipate a new Human Rights Bill and face the many challenges to the realisation of rights.

“I am looking forward to working with the current Members of the Commission, the excellent staff team, and the wider community of human rights stakeholders in Scotland, working together to make rights real for everyone in Scotland."

For media enquires please email: media@scottishhumanrights.com

Notes to editors 

  1. The new Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission was appointed by His Majesty the King, on nomination of the Scottish Parliament by Parliamentary Motion on 16 May 2024.
  2. The Scottish Human Rights Commission is an independent public body with a mandate to promote and protect human rights in Scotland. It was established by the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006.
  3. The Commission is also part of the international human rights system, trusted by the United Nations to provide impartial evidence on human rights in Scotland.
  4. The Commission’s day-to-day work is led by its Executive Director, who is also the Accountable Officer for the organisation.
  5. You can read our Strategic Plan 2024-2028 on our website at www.scottishhumanrights.com.