Professor Angela O’Hagan

The spotlight research will assess how human rights such as housing, health, education, food, social security and culture are being realised across the South of Scotland regional area, as well as Ayrshire, Cumbrae and Arran. The SHRC will produce a report for the Scottish Parliament on their findings.

The SHRC will hold events in Dumfries and Galashiels to hear from individuals and community groups about how they are experiencing human rights in their everyday lives.

• Dumfries on 25 February 2026, 10.00 - 12.00 at the Crichton
• Galashiels on 17 March 2026, 10.00 - 12.00 at Borders College

Professor Angela O’Hagan, chair of the SHRC, said: “We want to understand the human rights issues affecting people across the South of Scotland. We are focusing on economic, social and cultural rights, including access to housing, health care, education, energy, food and essential services.

“Through local monitoring work like this we find out what specific challenges there are for people in rural areas in accessing services and experiencing poverty.

“This Spotlight allow us to gather new evidence directly from communities and help assess how local authorities are meeting their human rights obligations and make practical recommendations to improve outcomes for people living in the area.”