Dr. Emma Davidson

Biography

Emma Davidson is a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and Qualitative Research Methods at the University of Edinburgh's School of Social and Political Science. She completed her PhD in Social Policy at the University of Edinburgh in 2013 and has been actively involved in research and teaching since she joined the university in 2020. Davidson's research interests lie in social inequalities, community belonging, and qualitative research methodologies. She is particularly focused on understanding social infrastructures that support community belonging and trust among individuals, drawing on collaborative arts-informed methods to reveal and tackle social inequalities faced by communities. Prior to her current role, she worked as a researcher in urban studies at Heriot-Watt University and as a social housing consultant. Davidson is also involved with several initiatives, including co-directing the Binks Hub and the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, and she serves as a board member of Stepping Stones in North Edinburgh. Her current teaching includes courses on social inequalities and research skills in social sciences, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in policy-making and social research.

Research Interests