Rob McDowall AMRSPH MIHSCM FRSA

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Biographical Information

Rob McDowall was born and raised in Gourock and is a committed advocate for equality and human rights. Rob dedicated his career to promoting social justice. Currently residing in Glasgow, McDowall has spent the past 20 years actively campaigning and lobbying on numerous equality and human rights issues. His contributions have been featured in publications such as the Huffington Post, Gaystarnews, The Metro, and Commonspace.Over the years, McDowall has provided representation and support to vulnerable LGBT asylum seekers while vigorously criticising government attempts to deport these individuals based on the premise that they could "live discreetly" in their home countries. He presently holds fellowships with the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Society for Public Health as an Associate Member.In 2008, McDowall petitioned the Scottish Parliament to overturn the blanket ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men. A year later, he spearheaded the LGBT Network's petition to the Scottish Parliament, advocating for marriage equality in Scotland. Additionally, McDowall has collaborated with the Scottish Court Service at Glasgow Sheriff Court to enhance staff awareness of accessibility for disabled individuals and to promote the availability of assisted hearing technology within Europe's busiest criminal court. His efforts extend to working with Strathclyde and Tayside Police to refine equality training for police officers and frontline support staff.Recently, McDowall served as a member of a Scottish Government core group responsible for drafting the charter underpinning the work of Scotland's new Social Security agency. His current involvement encompasses membership in the group developing the measurement framework for assessing the agency's work and impact. Furthermore, McDowall participates in the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Commission Experts by Experience panel.Despite living with various life-limiting illnesses, including chronic pain, Crohn's disease, diabetes, depression, chronic pancreatic dysfunction, and M.E., McDowall continues to be an ardent advocate for cannabis legalisation.