Biography
Robin was elected as the UKs first ever Green Parliamentarian in the Scottish Parliament elections, May 1999, representing the Lothians. He is Co-Convenor of the Scottish Green Party. Robin is Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Architecture and the Built Environment, Convenor of the Scottish Parliament Renewable Energy Group (SPREG) and Convenor of the Cross Party Group on Children and Young People.
Robin Harper has stood for the Greens at local, national and European elections since 1986. He was elected as Lothians first Green MSP, indeed Britain’s first Green parliamentarian on 1st May 1999. In May 2007, he was elected for the third time to the Scottish Parliament, representing the Lothians in May 2007. He is married with one stepson.
Educated at Elgin Academy, Morayshire and St. Marylebone Grammar School, Robin Harper went on to Aberdeen University where he achieved MA in 1962 and Edinburgh University where he was awarded Dip.GC in 1992.
During the course of his teaching career, he taught in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Fife, Kenya, Midlothian and Edinburgh, covering a wide range of subjects including English, History, Science, Drama and Modern Studies. From 1972 to 1999 he taught modern studies at Boroughmuir High School, Edinburgh.
He is on the Board of several theatre companies and is keen on promoting outdoor education, art, music and drama. He was a member of Lothian Health Council from 1993 to 1998 and Lothian Children’s panel (1985-88).
He was elected Rector of Edinburgh University in March 2001, a post he held until March 2003. He received Best Politician of the Year Award from the Scottish Renewables Forum in 2002 and accepted Election Performance of the Year Award on behalf of the Scottish Green Party at the Scottish Politician of the Year Awards 2003. He was elected Rector of the University of Aberdeen 2005.
Robin Harper - MSP for the Lothians 