Clare Adamson is MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw and the Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs, and Culture Committee – having previously convened the Education and Skills Committee and Social Security Committee. She chairs Cross Party Groups on:  Accident Prevention and Safety Awareness; Science and Technology; and the Scottish Games Ecosystem. Clare is a fervent campaigner for women’s representation in STEM subjects.  

 She was born in Motherwell and raised in Wishaw. Clare studied Computer Information Systems at Glasgow Caledonian University - graduating with a BSc with distinction - before entering the IT industry where she latterly worked as European Development Manager at a Glasgow document management firm. 

Clare is a member of the National Union of Journalists and a Member of the British Computer Society and is passionate about education and STEM subjects, particularly girls’ and women’s representation in these sectors and is the Vice-Chair of SSERC.

Clare became involved in politics following the closure of the Ravenscraig Steelworks and seeing the impact that political decisions could make on your local community. 

She worked at SNP HQ from 2003 – 2007; leading the development of the SNP’s ‘Activate’ campaign tool. In 2007, Clare was elected to North Lanarkshire Council representing Wishaw ward. She was then elected to the Scottish Parliament representing Central Scotland in 2011 before becoming the first ever SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw in 2016. She was then re-elected in 2021 with an increased majority to serve the community that she grew up in.



First published: 29 May 2024

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Dates: 2nd to 4th October 2024 at the Advanced Research Centre and online

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