OUR PEOPLE

DOUGIE MACMILLAN

Operations Manager

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BA (Hons) in Philosophy & Psychology

LLB (Hons) in Scots Law (University of Strathclyde)

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Shortly after completing his studies in psychology and philosophy, Dougie became aware of the deaths of two people he knew, both directly related to alcohol.  One was physically powerful individual, while the other taught philosophy.  This led to a quest to understand the reasons why.  If it was neither physical nor mental, what was the cause? 

 

Dougie started work in the field of addiction, for many years developing and managing services that aimed to empower those he worked with.  Much of this work was in the delivery of rehabilitation services that provided safe spaces and opportunities for those who needed support to change, to stall the decline of some, and aid the recovery of others. 

 

In all that time, it became increasingly clear that the there was no agreed consensus on an explanation of the individual differences related to substance use.  However, there were increasingly bodies of evidence that deaths related to substance use were linked to social demographics; deaths are much more likely in poor communities than in wealthy.  That trail had turned towards political and legal routes.   

 

While Dougie had long believed that there were civil rights issues at work in the impact of substance use, it was in studying law, in the middle of a drug death crisis, that it was the lack of Human Rights that explained, better, the societal impacts of drugs and alcohol.   

 

In joining Reach and in supporting the preparation for Scotland’s new Human Rights Bill, that Dougie hopes that the country can acquire a much greater understanding of the social determinants of health (and of crime and of education, etc), so that the new legislation will provide the tools to remove the social imbalances responsible for so much tragedy. 

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email: dougie@reachadvocacy.net

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DILAN KAYA

 Human Rights & Advocacy Educator 

 

BA (Hons) in European Studies with Italian Studies (University of Reading)

LLM International Law & Security, with Merit (University of Glasgow)

CPD Evidence Analysis and Decision Making in Policy (University of Cambridge)

 

Dilan’s interest for human rights stemmed from her passion for EU law during her undergraduate degree, where she took on various projects and work experiences. This included taking part in panels and research at the House of Lords about the effects of Brexit models on women and children right’s, particularly in relation to asylum seekers.

Dilan also undertook a research project addressing the rights of Kurdish communities in the UK and in Italy. As a result, she was awarded the Jenny Noel Prize by the University of Reading for excellence in research.

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After completing her undergraduate degree, she took on a teaching job before gaining an LLM. Her combined expertise in teaching and legal research was demonstrated in participation in diverse academic projects, specifically concentrating on the rights of indigenous communities under the UNDRIP.

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Throughout academia and her work experiences, Dilan has always been keen to make knowledge of rights more inclusive and accessible for people. Her interest in a diverse range of topics and working with different communities is to understand how to make education more adaptable for everyone.

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Dilan firmly believes that human rights education serves as a powerful catalyst, empowering individuals to seek justice not only for themselves but also for their communities. She believes that human rights education forms a universal language that bridges the gap between discrimination and the realisation of rights. Fostering human rights education creates a common ground where individuals can actively participate in dismantling discriminatory practices and ensuring fundamental rights are upheld.

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email: dilan@reachadvocacy.net

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ANTONIA EDWARDS

Human Rights & Advocacy Educator

 

BA (Hons) in Politics (University of Stirling)

LLM Human Rights Law, with Merit (University of Strathclyde)

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During her time at university, Antonia had a voluntary student placement at a law firm, where she primarily focused on matters of civil, immigration, and human right violations. This experience allowed Antonia’s passion for the issue of discrimination and human rights to grow.  

 

Antonia is a committee member of the Equality and Diversity Committee, as well as the Administrative Justice Sub-Committee, and the Immigration and Asylum seekers Sub-Committee of the Law Society of Scotland.  

 

As a first-generation University attendee Antonia is driven to ensure social economic change occurs, so that every individual knows their full potential to life, regardless of what path they take.  

 

Antonia hopes to use her platform to address the issues relating to social economic disadvantages, access to justice, and discrimination. More so, to spread the awareness that human right and advocacy is for all. As a neurodiverse woman, she understands the fundamental value of education as education is a tool that provides people with knowledge, and that is power.  

 

Antonia is at the very early stages of her career, but she is keen to ensure everyone knows of their human rights, as the sad reality is that the basic principles of dignity, respect, and equality are not always protected under the rule of law. 

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email: antonia@reachadvocacy.net

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TARA SINGLETON

Human Rights & Advocacy Educator

 

BA (Summa Cum Laude) in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (University of Arizona)

MSc Human Rights and International Politics, with Distinction (University of Glasgow)

 

In addition to completing her studies, Tara was involved in a variety of student organisations and leadership roles. Tara served as the Student Body President of the University of Arizona from 2020-2021, representing a diverse body of students and their interests with stakeholders across the university. Her time as a student advocate emphasised the importance of representation and communication on key issues such as equality, housing, public health, and student wellbeing. 

Tara has an interest in ensuring human rights are accessible on the grassroots level.  

 

Through her time at university, she focused on the ways that access to human rights is affected by a variety of factors, including, identity, geography, politics, and legal structures. With education and empowerment playing a key role in promoting human rights across society, the work of Reach aligns with her focus and passions. 

Across all her work,  

 

Tara is focused on looking at discrimination through an intersectional lens, to better understand the ways that individual’s experiences and identities are compounded. Through this, we can better diagnose who is left behind, and where the rights and legal focuses should be to ensure equitable access across Scotland. 

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email: tara@reachadvocacy.net

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