Independent policy analysis.
Established in 2018, Murray Blackburn Mackenzie is an independent policy analysis collective, made up of Dr Kath Murray, Dr Lucy Hunter Blackburn and Lisa Mackenzie.
Based in Edinburgh, we have extensive experience in policy-making, research and communications.
Latest analysis
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Putting violent men in women’s prisons: where was Scottish civil society?
Introduction This blog details our first attempt, via an academic article, to alert Scottish civil society to the Scottish Prison Service’s policy of placing some male prisoners in female...
9th July 2026
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MBM statement on FWS v The Scottish Ministers Judicial Review of Scottish Prison Service transgender prisoner policy
We welcome today’s ruling in the Outer House of the Court of Session that the Scottish Prison Service policy on transgender prisoners is unlawful. For over a decade the...
19th June 2026
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Losing focus: Women’s charities and the UK Supreme Court ruling
Women’s charities and the UK Supreme Court ruling Our latest report focuses on charities whose objects, as set out in their governing documents, state that they should benefit solely...
16th April 2026
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Why does the Scottish Prison Service hold men convicted of murder in the female prison estate? A policy timeline
Introduction On 3 and 4 February, the Scottish Government is heading to court to defend the Scottish Prison Service’s policy (2023) on the management of transgender prisoners. In a...
26th January 2026