Widdowfield rebekah biography

A researcher by background, Rebekah worked in academia for a number of years researching homelessness and social exclusion, before joining the Scottish Government in 2001 to pursue a more applied research career.

She became a senior civil servant (SCS) in 2008 serving in a variety of analytical and policy roles including as Chief Researcher and as Head of Higher Education and Learner Support.

As a member of the SCS, she led on several strategic advances including establishing and then working with the Commission on Widening Access to support a more comprehensive approach to enhancing access to university.

Rebekah left Government to become Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in September 2017, leading a programme of change to enhance the Society’s visibility, impact and reach through initiatives such as the RSE’s Women in Science Exhibition, a regular summer public engagement programme and establishing the RSE Post Co