Maggie Chapman, MSP for the North East Scotland region (Scottish Greens)
Maggie has been a regional MSP for the North East since 2021, but has a long history of political activism in Scotland.
Biography
Maggie grew up in the sunshine in Zimbabwe and moved to Scotland in 1998 to study Zoology at Edinburgh University. She completed a Masters in Environmental Management at Stirling University before returning to Edinburgh University to start doctoral studies in environmental ethics. Although she never completed her thesis, her research took her all over Scotland, and, being an introduction herself, she remains particularly interested in the conservation ethics relating to introduced species. She lectured at Napier University in cultural geography, environmental ethics and social justice from 2006-2015. She was the Vice President of the Educational Institute of Scotland's University Lecturers' Association, the higher education branch of Scotland's oldest trade union.
Maggie has been involved in Green Politics for many years: she was co-convener of the Scottish Greens from 2013-2019, was lead list candidate for the North East region for Holyrood 2016, and party spokesperson on all things relating to Social Justice. She was Councillor for the Leith Walk Ward in Edinburgh from 2007-15 and is passionate about participatory democracy. She championed the very successful ‘£eith Decides’ participatory budgeting process which handed budget power to the Leith community.
Maggie was Rector of Aberdeen University from January 2015 until March 2021, and chaired the University Court in that time. She campaigned for a cut to the rents charged in student halls, prevented staff redundancies, and ensured people - the students and staff of the university - were central to its strategic plan. She was elected Rector of Dundee University in 2025, a post she will take up in August 2025.
Maggie was Chief Operating Officer of a rape crisis centre from January 2020 until June 2021. Prior to this, she was CEO of a charity that campaigned and lobbied on behalf of the vision impairment sector in Scotland. She has also worked for another women's rights charity, and supported active citizenship in a variety of third sector organisations.
Maggie is also a committed peace and social justice campaigner, speaking up for asylum seekers and refugees, justice for Palestine, LGBTQIA+ rights, among many other causes.
In her spare time Maggie plays the violin, fiddle and accordion, and enjoys walking and cycling throughout Scotland. She likes star-gazing, watching the sun set, strolling along the beach, and browsing secondhand bookshops. She is a passionate friend to animals, particularly cats.
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