New Chair at Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Today, Professor Robert Dunbar has started in the role of Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
Originally from Canada, Robert has had a life-long interest in Gaelic development and in Gaelic literature and culture. He has been Professor of Celtic at the University of Edinburgh since June 2013 and is one of the foremost experts in the world on law and policy for linguistic minorities. He is an expert of the Council of Europe in relation to minority language issues, and since February 2023, he has been a member of the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, a Council of Europe treaty. Robert has also worked with the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe in relation to language law and language policy and has frequently advised governments, language policy bodies and NGOs on language legislation for minority language.
Robert holds a PhD in Celtic from the University of Edinburgh, on the life and secular poetry of John MacLean (1787-1848), the Tiree and Nova Scotia Gaelic poet, as well as an LL.M from the London School of Economics, an LL.B from Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, and a BA from the University of Toronto.
Professor Robert Dunbar was appointed by Public Appointments Scotland until the 1st of January 2030.