Research Consultant & Policy Analyst
Douglas Ian Scott
I provide research, analysis, and strategic advice at the intersection of African development, critical minerals geopolitics, AI in civic and political contexts, and open knowledge.
What I do
Research & Policy Analysis
Rigorous, evidence-based research for governments, development institutions, and civil society. Previous work includes green economy strategy for the Western Cape Government and a decade of public safety research in Cape Town.
AI in Campaigns & Civic Technology
Research programme design and evaluation for organisations deploying AI in political and civic contexts. Includes experimental methodology, impact assessment, and stakeholder reporting.
Strategic Advice & Advocacy
Long-term advisory relationships for organisations navigating technology, policy, and democratic change. Track record includes successful legislative advocacy at national parliament level.
Selected projects
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Western Cape Green Hydrogen Development Strategy Roadmap
Rebel Group · 2022Lead researcher on the green economy development strategy for the Western Cape Provincial Government, covering hydrogen production pathways, infrastructure requirements, and industrial policy frameworks.
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South African Copyright Amendment Bill
Wikimedia SA · 2016–presentLed a decade-long advocacy campaign that successfully incorporated both Freedom of Panorama and Fair Use into national legislation. The bill was passed by both houses of the South African Parliament.
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Generative AI Research Programme in UK Political Campaigning
Campaign Lab · 2024–2026Designed and managed one of the first structured research programmes on generative AI in UK political campaigning, including experimental methodology, A/B testing frameworks, and multi-stakeholder evaluation.
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iCommunity / iSafety — Real-Time Crime Intelligence Platform
The Safety Lab · 2017–2023Product owner for a React Native mobile platform deployed in disadvantaged communities across Cape Town, providing real-time crime data and predictive capabilities to municipal officials and field teams.
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Bisho Airport Economic Strategy
Rebel Group · 2023Lead researcher on the economic development strategy for the Bisho Airport programme, commissioned by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government.
Writing
- China, Development, the State and Lessons for South Africa 2024
- Advocating for Freedom of Panorama in South Africa Wikimedia Diff · 2024
- Open Letter to President Ramaphosa on South African Copyright Law Wikimedia South Africa · 2020
- Why the theme for Wikimania 2018 is “Bridging knowledge gaps” Wikimedia Foundation · 2018
About
I am a South African-born research consultant and policy analyst based in Edinburgh. My work sits at the intersection of African development, technology policy, and open knowledge — two decades of building research programmes, advocacy campaigns, and technology platforms in places where those things needed building from scratch.
I hold a Master’s in Public Administration from Tsinghua University in Beijing, where I focused on East Asian development policy and quantitative methods, and a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Cape Town. I completed CopyrightX at Harvard Law School in 2020.
I co-founded Wikimedia South Africa in 2012 and led the organisation as President and Director of Advocacy for over a decade, raising more than US$800,000 in grant funding and growing the community to over 400 members. I am a member of the Library of Mistakes in Edinburgh.
Research commissions, advisory work, and collaborations welcome.
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LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/douglas-ian-scott